Page 15 of Second Act

“Have some more.” He started to assemble another morsel.

“No, that’s your dessert.”

He smiled straight into her eyes. “Watching you eat it is my dessert.”

She sucked in a breath as a shiver rolled up her spine. He was leaving her in no doubt of his interest. If only she could stop comparing him to Hugh.

He switched his focus back to the cheese, saying, “Any chance you’re a hockey fan? I have luxury box seats at the Rangers game next Saturday.”

Should she start down this road? She liked the comfortable rumble of his laughter, the admiration that glowed in his eyes, and the deft movements of his big hands as he put together another cheese sample. Pete appeared so straightforward and uncomplicated, without any of Hugh’s sharp, dangerous edges.

“If it’s like the cheese course, I could be persuaded,” she said.

A slow smile lit his face. “I’ll pick you up at five thirty, if you’ll be done with work by then. No problem if you aren’t. I don’t need to hear ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ being sung badly.”

“I’ll be ready.” She tried to finish up by four on Saturdays. Otherwise she was just too exhausted the next day.

He looked at his watch again and signaled the waiter for the check. “Time to go, so I can get you home on time, as agreed.”

She liked the fact that he was a man who remembered his promises and kept them.