“Actually, I was thinking that I was pretty lucky. If it helps, I’m not interested in taking over your company. I gave up my desires for economic domination years ago.”
Lana leaned in. “That’s an interesting take for a business owner,” she said with an arch look.
“One business. Imagining owning a hundred businesses like you guys raises my blood pressure.”
A funny expression crossed her face.
“Did I guess too low?” Rick asked.
“A bit.”
Pulling a number out of the air, Rick figuring he was highballing it. “Five hundred?” When she shook her head, he was impressed. “A thousand?”
“After the recent Moose Springs acquisition, the Montgomery Group owns over a quarter of a million properties currently being subleased to commercial and private business owners. Such as yourself.”
Rick choked on his water, then tried to cover by coughing. “Sorry. And what part do you manage?”
“The parts that like to cause problems,” Lana said jokingly. “So aside from Diego, do you have any other family around here?”
“Nope, it’s just me.” Rick held Lana’s eyes. “And you changed the subject. Don’t like talking about work?”
“Talking about work is dangerously close to talking about my family. And trust me, we’re going to need something stronger than water to dip into that mess.”
“Would you like something stronger?”
She smiled at him. “I’m not above a glass of wine with my meal. Maybe once we return to town though. You might need backup with Carl.”
“He doesn’t seem to like me much, does he?”
“Not at all.” Lana laughed. “So any kids with your ex?”
Oh no. They were back in forbidden territory, a hard right turn with tires squealing.
“Oh…umm…well…”
“We don’t have to talk about that if you aren’t comfortable,” she said immediately. But an awkward silence fell between them, the first since they’d reached the restaurant.
Rick grimaced. “Can I have a do-over? What I meant to say was no, we didn’t have any kids. I’m sorry, Lana. I’m not very good at this. I haven’t dated since I was in high school, and I read this article…there were cards…I shouldn’t have brought up exes.”
Could he be any more embarrassed? Thankfully, she reached across the table, resting her hand on his.
Lana’s eyes were bright with curiosity and some amusement. “Let me guess. The article said no politics, religion, or past experiences that could cause discomfort or awkward pauses.”
“Pretty much.”
She leaned back in her seat. “You would not believe how many of polite society’s ‘rules’ I’ve had stuffed down my throat since I was born. And you know what? Two drinks and a cigarette and all that crap goes by the wayside. Just know that I’m open to talking about whatever you’d like. I want to know more about you, Rick. That’s why I lured you to the middle of nowhere and surrounded you with holiday-themed taxidermy.”
How could a woman who made his mouth go dry every time he looked at her somehow make him feel so at ease?
The tension in his shoulders relaxed as he said, “No kids, but we both wanted them. It never worked for us. That’s not why we split up, but it was hard to swallow never having a family. We’re divorced now, but it wasn’t Jen’s fault. When her sister died, a lot changed for her, and I was one of the things that changed. I don’t blame her. Life is hard. I don’t hate my ex, and I never could.”
“You’re a really good guy, aren’t you?”
“Not according to Diego,” Rick told her jokingly. “He called me an asshole tonight, and I probably deserved it.”
They shared another moment, this one equally silent but not awkward at all.
“You know what, Rick? I think you and I are going to get along fabulously.” Lana held out her water, and they clinked glasses.
That was exactly what Rick was thinking too.
Chapter 8
Never in a million years would Lana admit to hating the restaurant.
The last thing she wanted to do was make Rick feel bad. If sparing his feelings meant sitting in a room full of increasingly disturbing holiday-themed taxidermy, then that was what she would do. That being said, the place had made her flesh crawl from the moment she stepped inside.
Funny how all it took was looking at Rick’s horrified expression and none of it seemed so bad. Not when she got to spend an evening with him.
The meal was far more appetizing than she had expected, and now that Rick was starting to relax around her, Lana was starting to relax around him too. The longer she looked at him, the more handsome she found him. Rick cleaned up even better than good, and he was an utter dear to talk to. Except for Carl standing in the corner, gloomily staring out the window, the entire thing might have been perfect.
For a blessed ten minutes, Carl disappeared into the back, then he stumped his way to the table, dropping their check on the edge.
“The snow’s getting bad.” Carl pointed out the window. “Ma says you might want to stay the night.”
“We’re fine.” Rick reached for the check, but Lana snagged it first.
“I asked you out,” she told her date, handing both the check and her debit card to Carl. For once, their waiter headed across the room with a more jovial step, as if perked up at the idea of getting rid of them.
Hazel eyes amused, he said, “So if I ask you out for a second date, I get to pay?”
“Hmm, that’s to be decided.” She flushed, then added quickly, “The paying, not the second date. I mean, not that I expect you to ask me out again. Or a first time, since I asked you out this time. I’m babbling, aren’t I?”
“It’s cute. And if my choice in restaurants didn’t scare you off, I’d love to ask you out for a second date.”
He’d called her cute. Which was much better than if he’d called her beautiful. Lana was used to being judged for her surface, and cute was more than skin deep. Cute felt like maybe he saw her for her.
“Rick, at the risk of ruining this, I feel like we need to talk about the elephant in the room.”
“They dressed one up like an elephant?” He shuddered, twisting around to look at the decor.
Laughing softly, Lana shook her head. “No, although I wouldn’t be surprised if one is hiding somewhere. I just…I feel like I should be clear about my intentions here.”