Page 96 of Tempt Me

I released a contented sigh and reached for my water. “This’s fabulous.”

“I thought you’d like it.”

“So, you come here often?”

“Not as often as I’d like. One of the head chefs bought an engagement ring from me about a decade ago. Anyway, we struck up a friendship that’s lasted through his divorce and mine.” He chuckled, so I did, too.

The menus were handed to us, and after I spent a while scouring the extensive selection and salivating at nearly everything on the menu, Clayton cleared his throat.

“Would you like me to suggest a few meals?”

I flipped the menu shut. “Yes, please, or else I’ll order everything.”

He grinned. Clayton was very handsome. His clean-cut skin indicated he’d shaved before he came out. His hair was very dark, almost black, but in this sunshine, hints of copper caught in the light. As he ran through his suggestions, I couldn’t help but stare at his long, dark lashes that framed his equally dark eyes.

“What?” He paused while describing the meals.

“What?” I bulged my eyes at him.

“You’re staring at me again. Did I leave toothpaste or something on my lip?” He ran his tongue over his lips.

“Oh. Sorry, I didn’t realize I was staring.”

“Well, you were. Have you even heard a thing I’ve said?”

“Of course,” I lied.

He cocked his head at me. “Okay then, what was the last dish I mentioned?”

“Ahhh, it was eye fillet.” I rolled my eyes, fully aware that I’d been caught out.

“Wrong. I said eyeballs in tomato garlic sauce.”

I screwed up my face. “Gross.”

“Clearly, you weren’t listening. So, do I have toothpaste on my lip?”

I giggled. “No, you’re fine.”

Our bottle of wine arrived, and once he’d topped up our glasses and the waiter left, Clayton held his drink toward me for a toast.

I raised my wine, curious as to what he’d say.

“To new beginnings.”

I smiled at his splendid proposal. “To new beginnings.”

The afternoon rolled on as if it was perfectly choreographed for our lunch date.

I inhaled the fresh ocean breeze, relaxed in the gorgeous winter sunshine, ate exquisite seafood, and laughed freely with yet another new, stunning man in my life.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Tonight was up there as one of the most hectic Friday nights I’d worked since I started the night shift at the Hot Horizon Hotel. The culprits of the madness were the Irish Warriors football team that was here for two nights.

On Sunday, they were playing against our Gold Coast Suns in what they called a ‘friendly match.’ In the meantime, though, they seemed hell-bent on reveling as much as they could.

My brother, Tyler, played professional football, and as a consequence, I’d spent most of my youth being dragged to every one of his games and practice sessions. Some weekends, we spent hours in the car just to watch him play. I grew to hate football because of it.

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