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“Christopher. Nice to meet you.”

She nodded and took in his perfectly tailored sport coat and colorblock tie. Not too flashy, but still fashion forward. “Likewise.”

His hand was much larger as he closed it over hers. Firm, but nottoo firm on the shake. That was promising. Things were looking up.

“I’ve heard many great things about you,” he said. “Dash and Hollyare big fans of yours.” He blushed, hearing how that sounded, and closed hiseyes momentarily. “I am, too. Didn’t mean to imply otherwise. I’m a fan of yoursurfing.”

She nodded, letting him struggle. It was cute.

“I just meant that they spoke highly of you. As a person.” Heglanced from Holly to Dash and back to Elle again. “I’m a dolt, and hopefully,you can forgive the last thirty seconds.”

“You’re doing great,” Holly said dryly, and then blossomed into areassuring smile and shoulder bump. “Elle loves bumbling suitors. Tells me allthe time.”

Elle grinned. “I do.”

Holly’s humor worked and Christopher seemed to relax. “Then maybetonight will be a good one for me.” His eyes crinkled slightly and Elle decidedshe already liked him. He could be in a cologne ad. She passed Holly a secretlook that saidwell done.Holly winked back.

Remembering her tricks of the trade, Elle made sure to light up asshe turned to Dash, who she’d yet to greet. His sandy blond hair had lessproduct than usual tonight and fell casually onto his forehead. She had nodoubt that was Holly’s doing. “Hi, Dash!” She pulled him into a warm embrace.“Are you caught up onGameof Thronesyet?” She kissed his cheek. “Say yes.”

“Not yet. No spoilers.”

“How are we ever going to bond over this show if you don’t hurryup?” she teased. “You’re turning into a TV slacker.”

“I’m caught up,” Christopher said.

“See?” Elle pointed at him. “The new guy is lapping you.”

Dash turned to Chris and slapped him on the back. “Yeah, well,tell her what you do for a living, new guy.”

“I manage funds, which means I can work from home.”

“I work for the man,” Dash said. “Chris’s on his own schedule.”

“How awesome,” Elle said, looping her arm through his as theyheaded for the door. “Me, too!”

Elle had a fantastic time at dinner. While her heart longed forthe fettuccini alfredo, her head made her order the salad with lots of extrachicken because victory didn’t come to the weak. Luckily, the quality of thecompany made up for the loss. The four of them killed some wine and after-dinnerdrinks, and before she knew it, they’d been sitting around that table for morethan two hours, shooting the breeze, laughing, as she got to know Christopher.

“You’re really great, you know that?” Christopher said quietly inher ear as Holly and Dash argued about who had noticed who first at work. Hisbreath tickled her ear and she resisted the urge to pull away a little bit.“I’m not just saying that. I was so nervous about tonight, but you really putme at ease.”

It’s what she did best. Elle had always been a people person andgot along with most everyone. The fact that Christopher just happened to be aneasy guy to talk to only helped the process. “I almost canceled,” she told himand then pulled a face. A guilty one. “But I can safely say that I’m very happyI didn’t.”

The confession seemed to have inspired Christopher, and he glancedbehind them. “This restaurant has a really cool garden out back, and a gazebo.Want to go check it out?”

She did.

He took her hand and they excused themselves to Holly and Dash,who grinned at them victoriously.

Once outside, they took a lap from the deck to the walkway, whichwas lined with tiny white lights. “I’ve always loved this restaurant,” Elletold him. “But I’ve never been back here.”

“So that means I’ve scored a point?”

She liked the way his eyes twinkled. Mysterious, yet proud. Ellesmiled and squeezed his hand. “One point for you. Deal.”

“Earlier tonight you talked about traveling for your job. Do youenjoy it?”

She considered the question. “Sometimes more than others. Seeingnew places never gets old, but I miss the stability of home. Waking up in myown bed. I have a little house on the water not far from Holly’s in HermosaBeach.”

“It’s a great neighborhood. Maybe one day I’ll see your place.”