“Dinner was fabulous.” In the dim light, Steven’s eyes looked more black than gray. “You really outdid yourself.”
Amy resisted the urge to gently remove her hand from his grasp. It wasn’t that she minded holding hands with Steven, she just didn’t want him to get the wrong idea. After all, she’d meant it when she’d told Dan that she and Steven were merely cooking buddies. Though it was beginning to look like Steven might want more...
“Simply fabulous.” Steven breathed the words, his gaze riveted to her.
Amy forced herself to chew and swallow. She wasn’t sure why Steven was laying it on so thick but she couldn’t help but be flattered. Still she forced a nonchalant air as if having a handsome man flirt with her was an everyday occurrence.
“Beef tenderloin can be so boring.” Amy lifted the wineglass to her mouth with her free hand. “The secret is the parsley sauce with cornichons and capers.”
“You have just the right touch.” Steven’s thumb caressed her palm and Amy almost inhaled her Merlot.
What was happening? The stars definitely had to be in some kind of funky alignment. First, she’d found herself practically salivating over Dan and now Steven—who’d always respected the boundaries she’d set—seemed determined to push into new territory tonight.
Amy had the feeling she was partially to blame. Two weeks ago, when Steven had taken her to a fancy French restaurant, she’d happened to mention how tired she was of cooking the same boring meals that were Dan and Emma’s favorites. She longed to cut loose and try some fun, fancy recipes for a change.
Steven had immediately jumped on the idea. He’d suggested that every week they take turns making each other a meal of their own choosing. Last week Steven had treated her to a fabulous evening of Indian cuisine.
Tonight had been her turn to shine. When she’d agreed to the plan, she hadn’t considered where she would prepare a meal when it was her turn. After all, she could hardly use Dan’s kitchen to entertain Steven.
When she’d said as much to Steven, he’d merely smiled and offered her the use of his place. Unfortunately the only night this week that worked for him was Sunday, a day usually reserved for Dan and Emma. But Steven was going out of town on business for two weeks and he’d insisted he couldn’t wait that long to see what treat she had in store for him.
“Amy.” Steven’s husky, deep voice broke through her reverie. “Have I told you how beautiful you look this evening?”
Amy lifted her eyes to find his gaze focused on the cleavage displayed by the silky black cocktail dress. Her face heated beneath his admiring gaze and she shifted uncomfortably in her chair. Dressing up for the evening had been Steven’s idea. She’d been a bit hesitant, but had decided to go along with the suggestion.
It certainly had helped set the elegant, romantic mood. Of course, the fact that Steven’s condo overlooked the lakefront didn’t hurt, either. The first time he’d brought her up here, she’d been stunned. In class, dressed in blue jeans, he’d seemed like just another food devotee. Sure, she’d known he was an attorney, she just hadn’t realized he was so wealthy. Or so...attractive.
The tuxedo he wore emphasized his lean, muscular build. Like Dan, his hair was dark and cut short, but instead of being blue, Steven’s eyes were a piercing gray. She could see why he was so successful in the courtroom. Those eyes missed little.
“I’m flattered,” she said.
“You don’t believe my compliment.” His brows pulled together in puzzlement. “Why is that?”
This time Amy gave in to the urge and slipped her hand from his, nervously brushing back a stray strand of hair from her face.
She wondered if he’d be as impressed if he knew that the black cocktail dress she wore had been purchased at a consignment boutique. Even she had to admit the cut flattered her full, firm breasts while minimizing her curvy hips. She’d pulled her hair back in a loose, French knot and taken extra care with her makeup. At the last minute she’d impulsively added the pair of diamond earrings Dan and Emma had given her last Christmas.
“Amy.”
She blinked, realizing his question hadn’t been simply rhetorical.
“Beautiful?” Amy forced a laugh. “C’mon, Steven. Even you have to admit I fall in the nice-looking but definitely-not-beautiful range.”
She made the observation without the slightest hint of guile. She wasn’t fishing for compliments. She was, quite simply, stating the facts.
Still, she half expected Steven to argue. Instead he laughed, the tiny lines around his eyes crinkling. “No wonder I like you so much.”
There it was again, a shift into the personal realm. The smoldering look in his eyes told her if she didn’t shut it down now, things could get uncomfortable.
“Did I tell you Chez Gladines at Navy Pier has contracted with me to provide French pastries on a trial basis?” Amy couldn’t keep the note of pride from her voice. “Apparently their chef had been a real prima donna and an expensive one to boot. When she up and quit on them, they decided to give me a chance.”
While the restaurant manager hadn’t given Amy a long-term commitment, at least she had a foot in the door.
“Congratulations.” A smile split Steven’s face. “I wish I’d known earlier, I’d have taken you out to celebrate.”
Amy had waited to mention the news for that specific reason. She didn’t want to give him the chance to act like a boyfriend. He was doing enough of that already. Last time they’d eaten out, he’d refused to let her pay her share. If he were her boyfriend, she’d be all about letting him treat her. But they were simply good friends and that’s how she wanted to keep it
She let her gaze linger on his handsome face. Steven was a great guy with all the qualities she was looking for in a man. Why couldn’t she like him as more than a friend? Why couldn’t she love him? What was holding her back?
Amy smiled and held out her glass for more wine.
After filling her glass, Steven leaned back in his chair and shot her a speculative gaze. “What did King Dan have to say?”
Amy rolled her eyes. Steven had never met Dan but he’d taken in a few of her comments and decided he didn’t like the guy. Like when she’d mentioned once in passing how much Dan liked to be waited on, she’d never expected Steven to take the funny, little incident and make a big deal out of it.
“Was he happy for you?” Steven pressed.
Amy shrugged and took a sip of wine. “I haven’t mentioned it to him yet.”
“Why not?” Steven lifted a sardonic brow. ‘Too busy making his coffee?”
“Making the coffee pays the bills.” Amy kept her tone deliberately light and offhand, refusing to get sucked into rehashing something that had already been discussed. Still, it seemed no matter how many times she tried to tell Steven taking care of Dan and Emma was her job, he always tried to push her to think of herself, too.
“I know why you haven’t told him. You’re afr—”
“The opportunity hasn’t come up.” Amy spoke slowly and distinctly so there would be no misunderstanding. “When I do tell him—and I plan to tell him—I know he’ll be happy for me.”