Page 4 of Without Apology

“Does that mean you’d be available after nine o’clock this evening for a drink?”

God, I wished. To be honest, there was a moment I was tempted to be selfish and say yes, but I couldn’t do that to my sister. Not only was she the most important person in my life, but she’d also sacrificed a great deal for me over the years. And tonight was an important occasion for her.

“Not this evening, I’m afraid. I’m staying overnight because it’s my sister’s anniversary.” Taking my buzzing phone out of my pocket, I apologized towards Simon. “Sorry. Speak of the devil.” I answered quickly with my excuse, “I have the stuff and am on my way.”

“Okay. It’s not me who is the most worried, you know. Kevin has already plotted all the ways we’re to have anniversary sex tonight once we get to the hotel room.”

All of a sudden, I realized the last part of her statement was coming through loud and clear over the Bluetooth speaker on the truck, something that had automatically connected once I turned the motor on for the AC. I felt my face heat when I noticed Simon’s amused expression. At least he hadn’t run off yet. Although that could be because I hadn’t given the poor man his bottle of champagne. He probably thought I was holding it hostage.

“Uh, TMI, Jen. I’ll be there in fifteen.”

But my older sister couldn’t let it go. Especially not today in front of this gorgeous man. “You’re less than five minutes from the house, and it sounds like you’re in your car, so unless you met some guy in the supermarket, what on earth would take you fifteen more minutes?”

I sighed heavily and then handed Simon his bottle of champagne with a look of apology.

But he leaned in and, much to my surprise, spoke up. “It so happened she did meet someone at the market. Matter of fact, I asked her out for a drink after she was nice enough to purchase my bottle of champagne.”

Jen didn’t skip a beat. “Please tell me you’re old enough to buy your own alcohol. I mean, Peyton, come on. Trolling for minors and providing them liquor in exchange for dates is a little last year.”

Forget her being the best sister in the world. I was going murder her. “You do realize you need me a lot more than I need you tonight, right?”

He threw his head back and laughed at the entire exchange. “I assure you I’m of age. However, Laverne wasn’t convinced without proper identification. Perhaps I can get your number instead, Peyton. Ring you for dinner sometime?”

I conjured up a smirk of my own. “After all of this craziness on display during the last few minutes, you’re still convinced eating with me in a public place would be a good idea?”

His eyes twinkled with amusement.

“Holy shit, I just realized he has a British accent, doesn’t he?” The voice that wouldn’t shut up came from over the speaker.

I shook my head, having forgotten about my sister in the background. “Bye, Jen. See you in a few minutes.” I hung up and then turned, looking sheepishly into Simon’s face.

“Let me get your number.”

He deftly entered the digits as I recited them, but I doubted very much I’d ever hear from him. I could’ve asked for his number instead of giving him mine, but I preferred to have him show the effort, not to mention interest.

“I’ll run over there, get your cash, and pay you back.”

I watched him cross over to the ATM.

Once he returned, he handed me a hundred dollars.

I looked at him dumbly. “You bought a hundred-dollar bottle of champagne?” I had no idea my local market had something that expensive.

“It’s for a business dinner I have with someone local. Did you not notice your one bag of groceries was a hundred twenty-eight dollars?”

I shook my head, realizing I’d been so sidetracked by him that the total hadn’t even registered. “Must’ve been distracted.”

“Laverne does have that effect.”

My face heated. “Indeed.” Then something dawned on me. “Where’s your car?” If he’d come here without a license, I wondered how he was driving.

He pointed to the front of the store, where a sedan was parked, waiting with a driver. “I should have my own vehicle squared away soon.”

“Oh.” Hot guy in a suit, hundred-dollar bottle of champagne, car with a driver, all in my small town. Yeah, I was sure he was only passing through, not looking for a date with a girl in a Mickey shirt.

“Goodbye, Cooper. Take care of your mum. It was nice to meet you, Peyton.”

“Nice meeting you, too. Cheers.”

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