Page 17 of Forbidden Whispers

Olivia nodded. “It was weird, actually, because it wasn’t like any of the coffee got on her fancy clothes or anything. Noah just accidentally knocked it off the table, and it went all over the floor.”

“I’m so sorry!” Noah said.

Olivia smiled and patted his arm. “That’s what you said yesterday, too. Even offered to clean it up for me.”

“Good,” Noah said.

“Anyway, while you and I were mopping it all up, your date stepped outside. I could see her pacing in front of the shop window, talking on her cell phone. Just as we finished up, she came back in and you both sat back down again. But then this is where it got even more weird.”

“How so?” Maggie asked.

“Remember how I said that his date didn’t really seem into it at all, like not really paying attention to Noah and more focused on her phone?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, all of a sudden, she turned on the charm. She put her phone away and started acting super flirty, tossing her hair, laughing at everything Noah said, touching his hands on the table. It was kind of like a switch got flipped or something.”

Olivia looked at Noah. “After a bit, I saw you pull out your phone and I heard you say, ‘Dinner sounds like a great idea! I’ll see if I can get us a reservation.’”

“Then what?” Noah asked.

Olivia shrugged. “I heard your date say that she insisted on driving. But then you guys left.”

“Did I mention what restaurant I made reservations at?”

Olivia shook her head. “Sorry, honey, I didn’t hear it if you did.”

Noah’s face fell.

“Wait a minute!” Maggie said excitedly, turning toward Olivia. “You said Noah made the reservation? From his cell phone?”

“Yes.”

She looked at Noah. “Just check your recent calls!”

“Of course! My brain still isn’t operating at full capacity, I guess.” Noah pulled his phone out of his pocket and tapped the screen.

Then he dialed a number and put the phone to his ear. “Hello? Uh...I was wondering if I could get a reservation for lunch today? Oh?” He was quiet for a few beats. “Well, how about dinner then? What time do you open? Perfect! Can I reserve a table for...two?” Here he shot Maggie a questioning look, and she nodded vigorously. “Under the name Riley, please. Great, thank you.”

He laid his phone on the table. “The restaurant doesn’t open until five o’clock. But we now have a waterside table reserved at Oasis on the Water.”

“Oooh!” Olivia said. “I’m jealous! I love that place.”

Maggie battled with her conflicting emotions as she tried to ignore the flutter of delight rippling through her. She was excited to realize that she was finally going on a date with the gorgeous man seated across from her. But then she immediately scolded herself. Remember what this is really about, Milena!

It was about the safety of a young woman and helping Noah clear his name. She needed to get any unrealistic romantic dreams out of her head. They had to focus on finding Valentina.

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