Page 104 of Lee

“Want to do it again sometime?” Lee asked with a grin and a wink.

“Yes.” Rori’s smile felt like it was literally stretched from ear to ear. “I absolutely would.”

“Good. We can figure out our next date together.”

“I’d like that.”

“Well, guess I’d better go.” Lee took a couple of backward steps toward the staircase leading to the main floor.

Rori leaned against her doorjamb, watching him until he reached the stairs. He paused there, then gave her a little wave before turning and jogging up the stairs.

Once he was out of sight, Rori went into her apartment. Closing the door behind her, she leaned back against it.

Was this a dream?

If it was, it was a pretty awesome one, and she didn’t want to wake up.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Rori hurried across the sidewalk to where Lee waited next to his car, a smile on his handsome face. He’d let her know he was on his way, and when he’d pulled up in front of her building, she’d come outside.

Lee wore a pair of black slacks with a light green short-sleeved button-down shirt tucked into his trim waist. His dark hair shone in the sunlight that reached him through the leaves of the towering shade tree on the boulevard. He was so handsome, which made her wonder again why he was interested in her.

“Good morning,” he said with a smile as she approached him. “You look beautiful.”

Rori felt her cheeks heat as she glanced down at herself, smoothing her hands over her hips. The light purple dress she’d chosen to wear had small white flowers all over it. The sleeves were puffy, and the neckline was square. It had a thick gathered waistband that ended just below her breasts, and the skirt flared out to end mid-calf.

The sandals that she’d found on sale at the store on her last grocery trip and paired with the dress gave her a couple of inches in height, but Lee still was noticeably taller.

“Thank you. I found several dresses at the thrift store, and I really liked this one.”

“Well, it looks lovely on you,” Lee assured her. “But then, you always look beautiful.”

Rori didn’t know how to respond to that. Compliments weren’t something she was used to, so she had no idea how to act when he gave her one.

“You look very handsome, too,” she said, because he did. “That color looks amazing with your hair and eyes.”

Lee grinned. “Thank you.”

Rori wanted to give him a hug, but instead, she slid into the front seat of his car, then waited as he jogged around the hood to join her.

“It looks like we’ll be going to the park again later,” Lee said as he gestured to the sky. “Plenty of sunshine today.”

“Maybe I should have brought my car so I could come home and change.” As soon as she said it, Rori realized maybe she was being presumptuous. “I mean, if you want me to be there.”

“Of course I want you there,” Lee said. He reached over to take her hand and lifted it to brush a light kiss across the back of it. “Always assume that if I’m going somewhere, I’m going to want you with me. And today, I’m happy to drive you back home and wait while you change.”

He released her hand to guide the car away from the curb. “The more time I get to spend with you, the better, as far as I’m concerned. Which makes it great that we work together.”

“We have to be professional, though,” Rori reminded him.

“Yep. But my siblings have made it work, so I know that we can, too.”

When they got to the church, Lee pulled the car into a parking spot, and they both got out. Rori slipped her purse strap onto her shoulder, then turned to find Lee had his hand held out to her. She didn’t even hesitate to take it, wrapping her fingers around his.

Even though Lee could probably break her fingers with just a squeeze, his grip was firm but gentle. He released her hand as they reached the door of the church so that he could open it for her, but as soon as they stepped into the foyer, he took it again.

“Rori!”

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