Page 200 of The Forbidden Note

I plant my purse in the chair and sit rigidly across from him. “Hi, I’m Grace.”

“Steven.” He offers his hand and then pulls it back and wipes it against his pants. He offers it to me again.

I shake his hand firmly. “Steven, I—”

“I ordered for you.” He jumps in before I can finish my statement. “I hope that’s okay. They serve great sliders here And onion rings.”

“Thank you, but I won’t be staying long.” I try to remove my hand from his.

He holds on, his fingers tightening ever so slightly as his voice creaks higher. “Why?”

I slip my hand out of his and watch the disappointment roll over his face. He seems so crushed that I feel a little guilty.

“Steven, what did my mother say to you?”

“She said you’re a nice young lady who’d like to date with the intention of marriage.” Steven adjusts his tie. His Adam’s apple is prominent and I try not to stare at it. “I was so relieved to hear that. Dating these days is so confusing. You never know which way is up.” He chuckles nervously.

I lift my lips in what I hope is an understanding smile.

Steven leans forward and says in a shy voice, “Don’t take this the wrong way but the picture your mom sent me didn’t do you justice. You’re way prettier in real life.”

Mom sent a picture?

I almost cringe in embarrassment.

“Thank you, Steven. You seem like a very nice man and I’m sure you’re going to meet a very nice lady, but I don’t think that lady is me.” I grab my purse. “If my mother asks, please tell her that I showed up, but we weren’t compatible. I wish you the best.”

When I start to walk away, Steven jumps to his feet and grabs my hand. “Wait,” he calls, “are you going to leave? Just like that? We haven’t even had lunch.”

“I have somewhere to be.”

“Please,” he begs. “Stay.”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t.”

Steven’s forehead bunches and he gives me another pleading look. “At least give me your phone number. We can set up another date.”

“She said no,” a voice barges in.

I glance up and see Zane standing at our table, one hand in a sling while the other is fisted at his side. What is he doing? Is he seriously thinking about fighting someone when he barely got out of the hospital?

“You’re… you’re Zane Cross!” Steven yells, his voice climbing in shock.

Zane pulls me behind him and stands in front of me. He looks Steven dead in the face. “Yeah? And who are you?”

“I’m Steven Winston. I’m a huge fan.”

Zane grunts in response. Without wasting a second, he grabs my purse, hands it to me and reclaims my hand. “Grey, let’s go.”

“Wait.”

Zane and I pause.

Steven’s eyes are twinkling like stars. “Can I have an autograph?”

“We’re in a rush.”

“Please? It won’t take a second.”