Page 9 of Thiago (Family Ties #6)

Chapter Nine

I ndia applied another coat of lipstick as she checked her appearance in the mirror behind the sun visor of her Audi. She pressed her lips together to evenly distribute the color and then flipped the visor back up to the roof.

Taking a deep breath, she let it out slowly, a little anxious because she hadn’t been on a date in a very long time and didn’t know what to expect from Dr. Simon Stone. Hopefully, they would have a good conversation, and if the night went well, they could plan another date in the near future.

Simon had gotten off work late, so they were having dinner later than she normally ate, but she didn’t mind.

The restaurant had great reviews, and she had looked forward to dressing up in something other than the pants she usually wore for work.

She had taken a chance with a fuchsia sweater and fuchsia dress, but it was a fun color, so she decided not to overthink her outfit.

At the last moment, she left the sweater in the car and opened the door, stepping into the chilly air and tucking her purse under her arm. As she strolled toward the entrance of the restaurant, she saw Simon, casually dressed in a white shirt and gray slacks.

“Looks like we arrived at the same time,” he said, a smile breaking out on his face. His wavy hair was brushed back from his forehead. Unlike in the emergency room, tonight he wasn’t wearing glasses.

“A good sign,” India said.

He nodded in agreement. “It means we’re in sync,” he said, opening the door.

India had made the comment thinking it was a good sign that they were both on time and respectful of each other’s time. She merely smiled and didn’t attempt to correct him, walking ahead of him into the warm interior.

They approached the hostess stand together, and after a few minutes were escorted to their table.

India sat across from Simon and looked around. “I’ve never eaten here before.”

“This is one of my favorite restaurants, which is why I recommended we come here. If you like fish, the salmon is excellent.”

“I do like salmon,” India said, opening the menu.

Simon leaned across the table, catching her attention. “Can I say something?”

“Of course,” she replied.

“You are an incredibly beautiful woman. I noticed in the emergency room, but you’re even more beautiful this evening. The color you’re wearing was made for you.”

Her cheeks warmed at the compliment. “Thank you. You look pretty amazing yourself.”

He sat back. “That wasn’t a line, by the way.”

“I didn’t think it was,” India assured him. With the evening already started on a positive note, she relaxed.

They both perused the menus until the waiter arrived, and they placed their orders, India choosing the salmon and Simon selecting a chicken dish.

Then they spent the next hour in leisurely conversation as they ate salads and then their meal, covering a variety of topics.

India learned Simon had become a doctor because he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather.

She also learned he was divorced, and his daughter and ex-wife lived in another state.

He didn’t go into details about the end of his marriage, but she sensed it was still a sensitive topic when his demeanor noticeably changed.

By the time they were sipping coffee and enjoying dessert, India had a good idea of the kind of man he was. Charming and humble were the adjectives that came to mind.

Simon placed his coffee cup in its saucer. “Okay, so you know I like to fish because it relaxes me,” he began.

“And bike ride for cardio, which you would never convince me to do,” India added.

He laughed. “Why not?”

“I’m a little embarrassed to admit this, but I never learned to ride a bike, unless stationary bikes count,” she added with a hopeful lilt in her voice.

He laughed. “It does not.”

She shrugged. “Oh well.”

“I can’t believe your dad never pushed you down the street on a bike with your little helmet on as you wobbled to stay upright. It’s a rite of passage for every American kid.”

“Not every single one. My dad never did it, and my mother was too busy working to worry about whether I could ride a bike.” India took a sip of coffee.

“Oh.” The smile evaporated from Simon’s face the moment he noticed her reluctance to discuss her parents. “Enough about me. What do you like to do in your spare time?”

India finished chewing the piece of pie she had lifted into her mouth.

“Well, you know I have lupus, and I took up yoga years ago to help with the pain. I worked with a trainer initially, and now I’m to the point where I can do it alone at home.

I like walking, usually down the street outside my building a few days a week. ”

His eyes turned sympathetic. “You stick to low-impact exercises to avoid a flare-up.”

“Exactly. For the most part, I’ve been lucky, but years ago, a bad one landed me in the hospital. My boss at the time was very kind and gave me all the time off I needed.”

She would forever be grateful for Benicio Santana’s patience when she was hospitalized.

He had held her job for her. That’s what made Benicio so special.

It had taken more than two months for her to fully recover and get back to where she could work a full day.

Even then, he insisted she ease into her schedule, starting with half days before allowing her to put in more time.

India’s phone vibrated in her purse on the table. “Excuse me,” she said apologetically.

“Go ahead,” Simon told her.

She checked her phone and saw a text from Thiago.

On my way to your place. I wanted to review the numbers for the retail stores CPC campaign.

She couldn’t believe what she was reading. He had left the engagement party and wanted to come by her place to work. Even more incredible, he thought she would be available and willing to do so with him.

“You’re frowning. Bad news?” Simon asked.

“Sorry, this is my boss.”

“On a Friday night? The same boss who gave you the generous time off?” Simon asked, sounding surprised.

India glanced up at him. No, actually, his handsome son who makes my skin tingle with the mere brush of his hand against mine , she thought.

“His replacement. His son. He’s a bit of a workaholic.”

An understatement. He was consumed with success and power and had been angling to take over his father’s conglomerate for years.

Truth be told, he was doing a helluva good job.

His business acumen was one of the traits she admired about him, but she had no desire to work tonight.

She was turning over a new leaf. Besides, she was busy.

“Let me respond to this text right quick, and we can get back to our conversation.”

Her thumbs flew over the letters as she tapped out a reply: Out to dinner. The review will have to wait until Monday. Talk to you then.

“There.” India shoved her phone back into her purse. If it vibrated again, she would ignore it. “Now, where were we?” She smiled across the table.

“You were telling me about your kind boss, and before that, you were telling me about the yoga and walking you do, which explains the great figure you have,” Simon commented.

India laughed softly. “You’re full of compliments, aren’t you?”

He shrugged, grinning.

“Yoga and meditation were among the recommendations made by my rheumatologist, to minimize the pain and stiffness from the disease. And he was right, they do work—at least for me. He recently recommended a new medication, but I haven’t decided if I want to try it yet.

I’m still doing research.” She gave him the name of the drug and asked if he’d heard of it.

“I’m not familiar. How is it different?”

India dabbed her mouth. “Instead of taking pills, I can give myself an injection once a week. He thinks that, working in conjunction with my other meds, my lupus could go into remission. But it has quite a few side effects, like all drugs, so, like I said, I’m still deciding.”

Their conversation continued to flow without awkward pauses. At the end of the meal, they left the restaurant and strolled to India’s car.

Standing beside the driver’s side door, she said, “Thank you for a wonderful evening.”

“Does that mean I get another chance to see you again?” Simon asked.

“Yes, it does. Assuming you have time in your busy schedule.”

He blew out a breath of frustration. “I love my job, but it can be taxing on my time. I’m on call next Saturday, so would next Friday night work for you again?”

India opened her mouth to turn him down, but then she thought, why should I?

Friday night was when she and Thiago had their rendezvous, but over the past seven months, he had canceled multiple times.

Friday nights weren’t sacred to him. She couldn’t blame him for missing tonight for his sister’s engagement party, but there had been other times when he had canceled on her.

So next week, she would have to cancel on him.

“Friday night works,” she confirmed.

“Perfect. Next time, I’m taking you to a spot where we can have dinner and then listen to a live band afterward.” He rubbed his hands together and wiggled his eyebrows.

India laughed. “I love listening to live music. Sounds like a good time to me.”

“Then I’ll be in touch in the middle of next week with the details. Good night, India.” Simon leaned in and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

His lips were soft and warm, but the kiss didn’t ignite any heat in her body. Nothing like the rip-roaring fire she experienced when Thiago’s fingertips barely grazed her skin. But that was to be expected. She’d known him longer and slept with him, while this relationship was brand new.

“Good night, Simon.” India climbed into her car.

“Drive carefully,” Simon said.

She flashed him an easy smile. “I will. You do the same.”

He waited until she had closed her door before walking away.