Page 12 of Agent of the Heart (Hearts in Hawthorne #3)

“All right. You do your thing. I’ll do mine. We can check in after you’ve spoken to Darby so I can know where to make reservations for tonight and tomorrow night.”

She left his office, closing the door behind her, and Jace picked up his phone, texting Penelope.

Work crisis has come up. Can’t make charity event tonight. How about Thursday instead? The Mansion. 7PM.

Jace waited a moment before seeing the three dots flashing on his screen. He knew Penelope’s response would appear soon.

Sorry we can’t attend the charity event this evening. Would love to have dinner with just you at The Mansion. Pick me up at six-thirty.

Before he could respond, a new text came in.

Penelope had sent her address to him. He would have preferred meeting her there, but Jace felt he owed it to her and would pick her up.

He texted a thumbs up, hoping that would be the end of their conversation.

Already, he was regretting asking her to dinner, but Elena was right.

It was the right thing to do after canceling on her on the day of the event.

He rarely spoke to any woman on the phone, but he was eager to hear Darby’s voice. Still, he knew she was in a meeting all day today. He sent her a text, asking when she might be done with business and where she would like to have dinner tonight. He told her he would make the reservation.

Jace paced his office, knowing she might not be able to reply right away. Suddenly, his phone rang. Darby’s name flashed on the screen, making him feel ridiculously happy.

Answering, he said, “Didn’t mean to pull you away from your meeting. A text would’ve been fine.”

“I had a few free minutes. We’re about to do a walking tour throughout the entire facility, so I will be tied up for several hours. I wanted to touch base with you about dinner.”

“I wasn’t sure what food you enjoyed eating. I’m happy to book?—”

“No reservation is required where I’d like to eat,” she told him, naming a restaurant. “It’s down on Lower Greenville in a strip shopping center. My favorite Mexican food restaurant in Dallas. Kansas City has a woeful selection of Mexican restaurants, so I have to eat at Adelina’s while I can.”

Jace had never heard of the spot. Then again, he didn’t eat at hole in the wall places. He patronized fine dining establishments, liking to be seen at them.

“Where are you staying in Dallas?” he asked. “I can pick you up.”

“I won’t be done here until probably five-thirty. Six at the latest. Then I need to go and check in. I’m staying at the Forum. I’d also like to get out of my work clothes and into something more casual. Why don’t you pick me up at seven? I’ll meet you in the lobby.”

His heart sped up at the thought of seeing her again in person. “Sounds like a plan,” he said carefully, not wanting to betray how he was really feeling. “Seven works for my schedule.”

Jace said goodbye and hung up, trying to keep the foolish grin off his face as he went out to speak with Elena. He waited while she finished her conversation and hung up.

“The CF chair is sorry you won’t be able to attend tonight, but she’s thrilled at the donation you’ve made in advance.

Flowers have been ordered for Miss Rossi.

The reservation on Thursday at the Mansion has been made.

You normally don’t eat that early,” she observed.

“Any reason why you wanted dinner then?”

“I want to make certain that it’s an early night. I won’t be seeing Penelope Rossi again. As far as tonight goes, we’re eating at a place I’ve never heard of. Somewhere Darby likes. Adelina’s.”

Elena’s face lit up. “I love eating at Adelina’s. I grew up going there. It’s one of the hidden gems of Dallas.” She looked at him appraisingly. “If this Darby knows about Adelina’s, then I’m all in favor of you seeing her.”

He shrugged nonchalantly. “I enjoy her company. That’s all. She’s only in town a couple of days. Then she’ll head back to Kansas City. I may never see her again.”

Elena’s brows arched again, as if she’d caught him in a lie.

Defensively, he said, “You can get back to work. And if DeMarcus calls, put him through immediately.”

Jace returned to his office and took a seat behind his large, cherrywood desk.

He was worried he would enjoy Darby’s company more tonight than he had this past weekend.

That he would want to see more of her. He had never been in a relationship, much less a long-distance one.

He told himself that would be a recipe for disaster.

No, he’d simply enjoy her company and move on when she left town.

Suddenly, all those empty nights ahead weighed upon him. Jace was a workaholic, often in the office until nine or ten on the nights he had no after-hours social obligations. He thought back to how happy Eli and Autumn were. West and Kelby, too. A feeling of loneliness washed over him.

He shook his head, trying to rid himself of these feelings he’d never experienced before.

He had a satisfying, full life. He owned a top sports management agency.

A nice car and beautiful condo. Just because his long-lost brother was in love and happily married didn’t mean that was also in the cards for Jace.

He had built his business from the ground up, and his reputation as a ruthless bargainer proceeded him into any negotiations.

He couldn’t afford to turn sappy over some woman he might only see sporadically over the years.

His phone rang, and Jace saw DeMarcus Green’s name light up the screen. Leaning back in his chair, he tapped his earbud.

“DeMarcus. Thanks for calling me back. What can I do to help you?”

As his client explained something he was unhappy about, Jace relaxed. He was back in the world he knew.

The world he planned to stay in.