Page 66 of Secrets (Lost and Found 2)

“I know. But I did.”

“Please sit.” He pulled one of the mismatched chairs out for her while he fixed a plate of brie, Manchego cheese, and grapes. “What would you like to drink?”

“What time is it?” Luna giggled.

“A little before three.”

“OK. I’ll wait until five, then have a glass of wine. If that’s OK with you?” Luna knew one glass would help her relax a little more.

“Speaking of dinner,” Gaines threw in.

“Was I?” Luna gave him her sideways glance.

“No, but I am. Would you like to go out to dinner? There are a number of fine restaurants in town. Or.” He paused. “I have two very nice prime steaks, Idaho potatoes, and salad fixings if you want to hang around here.”

“You know what? I think hanging around here would be swell. We eat out so often that a nice relaxing home-cooked dinner would be super.”

“Not exactly a home-cooked meal, but steaks on the grill can be delicious.”

“If you’re cooking, then it’s home-cooked as far as I’m concerned.”

Gaines brought the plate of cheese and fruit to the table, plus two glasses and a bottle of water.

Luna noticed the bottle was similar to those they have in restaurants. They were often referred to as French water bottles. Why? Who knew?

“Did this come with the house?” Luna asked, tapping the side of the bottle with her pen.

“No. I got it at a big-box store actually.”

“I like it. Makes me aware of how much water I’m drinking. Or should be drinking.”

“That’s exactly why I bought it. I know I have to finish one of these a day.”

“Great minds . . .” Luna added.

She pulled out her sketch pad, a ruler, and a tape measure and began to draw her concept of what the island cabinet would look like.

“I don’t know about you, but I prefer an open floor plan. It makes the chi-chi flow better.”

“Chi-Chi?” Gaines was a little confused.

“Oh, notourChi-Chi!” Luna cackled. “Chi-chi as in energy.”

“I knew that.” Gaines faked a response.

“I know you know about chi-chi energy, but it can be a little confusing at times.”

Within a couple of minutes, she presented a rough sketch of an island cabinet with a countertop, two pillars, and three hanging lights.

Gaines stood behind her and placed his arms on either side of her, leaning over her shoulder. She could feel the heat from his breath on her neck.

“Where did you learn how to draw like this?”

She tried not to stutter. “It’s innate. Maybe I was an architect in a previous life,” she joked. Sorta. “When I was in sixth grade, we had an assignment to draw a floor plan of our bedroom. It had to do with windows and air flow. I had graph paper and did an impeccable job. It was so good the teacher called my parents to see if I had cheated!” She tapped her pencil. “They didn’t even know about it. To me it was just another homework assignment, except it was the kind of homework I enjoyed.”

“So why didn’t you pursue architecture?”

“Because the mechanical drawing teacher wouldn’t let me in the class. He said he didn’t want a girl distracting the boys. Imagine that!”