Page 103 of The Last Close Call

“You put that whole sandwich away in what?” She checked her watch. “Ten minutes?”

“These people want to go home.”

She dipped her teaspoon back into her cup, and he smiled as he watched her.

“You’re very ladylike with that,” he said. “My mom would approve.”

“Ladylike. There’s a term I haven’t heard in a while.”

“It’s one of my mom’s favorites. She was always after my sister to be ‘ladylike,’ but she was a committed tomboy.” He watched her as she scooped another delicate bite. “Do you have any siblings?”

“Two sisters.”

“Oh yeah? Are you guys close?”

“Not really. My family’s not very close-knit. My parents divorced when I was fourteen.”

There was something in her tone, and he studied her expression, curious about the family she rarely talked about. He sensed there was a story there, but she kept her guard up. Still. He wanted her to trust him, but he was going to have to be patient.

She set her spoon down and looked at him.

“What?” She dabbed her mouth with the napkin. “Do I have chocolate on me?”

“No.”

The moment stretched out, and he resisted the urge to kiss her again. He didn’t know what was up with him tonight. He wasn’t one for public displays, and definitely not in a greasy spoon diner.

Jack glanced around. The place had emptied. They’d even turned off the elevator music, and he could hear dishes clattering in the kitchen.

“Come on.” He left a tip on the table and grabbed the check. “Let’s let these people get home.”

He stopped at the register to pay and then joined Rowan at the door.

“Thanks for the milkshake,” she said.

He looked out the window. “Damn, it’s raining again.”

“It’s pouring,” she said, zipping her jacket and peering outside.

He opened the door, and she stepped into the downpour. He followed her out, then grabbed her hand and pulled her beneath the overhang.

“Stay with me,” he said.

Her eyebrows tipped up.

“Stay with me and wait this out.”

She stared up at him, and the spark in her eyes told him she was tempted.

He leaned down and kissed her. Her mouth was soft, like before, and also cool and chocolaty. He slid his arms around her and pulled her against him. Her body felt stiff at first, but he eased his hands into her hair and kept kissing her, trying to convince her, doing everything he could to keep her from overthinking it.

She pulled back and blinked up at him, her eyes dark and luminous, and he held his breath as he waited for an answer.

He took her hand and squeezed it. She nodded.

Jack smiled and pulled her into the rain.

TWENTY-ONE

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