Page 31 of Savage Temptation
Atticus:If you haven’t noticed, I’ve done this whole fame thing for most of my life. I know how to avoid detection.
Tessa:Okay, but nothing too wild. I don’t need to be wined and dined. Just fed. I want to be comfortable with you.
I smile,understanding exactly what she means. Most of the dates I go on come with a level of anxiety. There’s pressure to keep conversations going that I’d rather have end, all due to mutual loathing of uncomfortable silences.
With Tessa, nothing is uncomfortable. We just kind of fit together in a way I’m not used to. She’s the kind of girl that will pull on a jersey and watch football during the day, then throw on a dress for a gala at night. She’s just perfect.
And addictive.
Atticus:I’ll take you wherever you’d like to go.
Tessa:There’s a food truck that hangs out around Zander’s Pub called Texas Big. It migrates throughout the night, but I have faith in our hunting ability.
Atticus:So you want to spend the evening hunting down a food truck? Interesting choice of date.
Tessa:First, it’s not a date. Second, when you bite into their pulled pork barbecue sandwich, you’ll realize you’ve never lived.
Ouch…
Atticus:How about we meet at six?
Tessa:Sounds like a plan.
I bringup Texas Big’s Facebook page, and sure enough, there are thousands of five-star reviews raving about their brisket sandwiches.
If it’s Texas Big Tessa wants, she’s going to get it…but only after I make her work for it.
I ring the telephone number provided, and I’m greeted by a true southern accent.
“Texas Big, Big Tex speaking.”
“Hi, my name is Atticus Savage, head of Savage Incorporated.”
“Is this some kind of joke?”
“No, I’m actually calling because a friend of mine would like to grab a bite to eat at your truck tonight.”
“You’re welcome to come. We’ll be outside Zander’s starting at four. We keep our Facebook updated with our location.”
“Actually, I was hoping you’d make yourself a little harder to find tonight.”
“Why would we do that?”
“For one, I’ll make sure you’re handsomely rewarded ahead of time, but the endorsement I’ll give your truck won’t hurt, either.”
“If you really aretheAtticus Savage, we’d be happy to do whatever it is you want for a picture of you with our sandwich.”
“Which is what you’ll get, under the condition that you won’t tell anyone of my impending arrival, and you won’t photograph me with the woman I’ll be with.”
“Just tell us where you want us to be.”
“I’ll send over the general location and enough money to make this worth your while.”
“I look forward to doing business with you.”
CHAPTER10
TESSA
