There was zero possibility of Nick and me kissing.
Ever.
It was like he said, we were total opposites.
And even if I did think he was attractive and even a little charming when he wasn’t completely annoying me, nothing would ever happen between us because he didn’t believe in what I did for a living. He didn’t think it was okay for me to put all my focus into my work. I wanted a man who would let me be myself, and who would support my decisions.
I headed back outside to the patio and sat back down across from Nick, picking up my fork and taking another bite of my lasagna.
“Everything okay?” He had a concerned look on his face.
“Everything is fine.”
“Good. I was worried that I had upset you or annoyed you.”
“Upset me, no. Annoyed me, yes.”
He nodded. “Sorry. I tend to speak my mind, which gets me in trouble.”
I sighed. “Believe me, I know exactly how that is. I’m one of the few women working in a male-dominated industry. If I don’t speak up or defend myself or my position, they’ll walk all over me. I will never allow that to happen.”
“Good. You shouldn’t. You’re obviously a smart woman who knows what she’s doing. And I must say I’m impressed with your drive and determination.”
He was back to compliments now?
I wished this man would make up his mind.
He held out his hand across the table. “Once again, I apologize.”
I glanced at his hand and then took it, shaking it. “Apology accepted.”
He smiled. “Good. And thank you for this delicious dinner. I was starving.”
“You’re welcome. And you need to promise me that you won’t skip another lunch while you’re working for me. Take regular breaks whether you need them or not. That’s the law, plus it’s the right thing to do.”
“I promise. And honestly, I’m usually good about taking breaks. Today was a little different though, after what happened with this girl here, and I wanted to get everything done before you got back.” He leaned down and petted Karma on the head. “I promise tomorrow I’ll be back to my normal schedule of taking twenty to thirty breaks per day.”
I pointed my finger at him. “Don’t push your luck.”
He chuckled.
I smiled and gestured to Karma. “What are you going to do with her?”
“Honestly, I have no idea. I’ve left voicemails for the owners and sent them text messages, but I haven’t heard back from them yet. I even had Brandon drive by their home, but it’s like they just disappeared. It doesn’t make any sense, but I guess she’ll be sleeping with me tonight.”
Lucky dog.
I can’t believe my thoughts went there. Was it the wine?
I picked up the bottle and then looked inside with my right eye.
It was empty.
“I don’t remember drinking that much wine.”
He chuckled. “I do.”
I laughed. “You’re not supposed to notice things like that.” I took the last sip of my wine. “Just so you know. I’m going to need to get back to work soon.”
Nick checked his watch. “At this hour? Oh, I forgot. You’re a workaholic.”
“Don’t start.”
He stood and started grabbing plates. “I’ll help you with these and then I’ll let you go.”
“Just leave that stuff right where it is. I’ll take care of it later.”
Nick shook his head. “No can do. I wouldn’t think of it. You provided me with one of the best meals I’ve had in a long time. The least I can do is help you clean up.”
Inside the kitchen, Nick began rinsing off the plates and silverware.
I grabbed a plate from him and stuck it on the dishwasher. “You don’t do well with following directions, do you?”
He scraped pasta off one of the plates before rinsing it. “You’re very observant, but can you get mad at a person just because they’re being nice?” He gave me a pouty face. “I think not.”
I tried to ignore that he was being cute. “Nice or not—you don’t want to get on my bad side.”
He smirked. “Hey—let’s get one thing straight; I’ve seen you come, and I’ve seen you go, and I can confidently say you don’t have a bad side.”
Did he really just say that?
Nick turned to me, holding a dish in his hand, watching me.
We locked gazes.
The water continued to run in the sink.
The air between us seemed to be filled with attraction.
Or maybe it was my drunken, desperate imagination.
How could I trust my gut when it appeared to be on vacation?
I finally had to break the silence between us. “Are you flirting with me?”
“Me? No way!”
“Good, because that would be just weird.”
“Weird, indeed.”
I pointed at him. “You’re the one who said we were complete opposites, and I agree with you. Even if I try hard to picture us together—”
Nick stopped rinsing the dish and looked at me. “You’re trying to picture us together?”
“No!” I yanked the dish out of his hands and stuck it in the dishwasher. “Why? Have you?”
Nick shook his head. “Of course not. Why would I do that?”
“I don’t know. Why would I?”
“I don’t know!”
We stared at each other like we were in a standoff, waiting for the other person to make a move. What type of move, I had no idea.
This was getting weirder by the minute.
I grabbed the wine glass from his hand and stuck it in the dishwasher. “Can we change the subject, please?”
“We weren’t talking.”
“Is it hot in here?” I loosened my blouse, but then wondered if I just flashed him again.
Nick glanced down at my cleavage and swallowed hard.
Yup. Looks like I did.
He jerked his eyes back up to mine. “Yes. Hot. Very hot. I think it would be a good idea if I left now.”
“Okay . . .”
He glanced over at my phone on the counter.
“I saw that.”
Nick laughed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Right . . .”
“But if you still need a recommendation for a great restaurant for your date—”
“That’s quite all right.”
“You said you like sushi, right?”
I hesitated and sighed. “Yes. I love it.”
He stopped the water from the faucet and turned to me. “You have to try Sushi Ota. It’s right off the freeway near Mission Bay.”
I nodded. “It’s good?”
“Very good.”
“I’ll keep it in mind then.”
“Well, also keep in mind that it’s located in a strip mall, but don’t let the casual nature of the place deter you from checking it out.”
“Casual is one of my favorite words.”
“Mine, too.”
How could it be that we had another thing in common?
“I eat there all the time. You’ll love it.” Nick stuck the last piece of silverware in the dishwasher and closed the door.