Page 6 of One Hot Moment

"Lunch is for eating."

"And conversation. Didn't your family talk during meals?"

"Well, yes, but---"

She brings out her tablet and dances her fingertips over the screen. Then she turns it toward me. "Here's your menu."

"Cafeterias don't have those, do they? I suppose the American versions are different." I rewind my thoughts to a moment ago and experience a sudden realization. "No one else has a menu."

"That's right. The peons have to stand in line." She thrusts the tablet at me. "Bigwigs get special treatment."

"But I don't want to be treated differently. If everyone else waits in the queue for their food, I will do that too."

"Are you sure? This is one of your job perks."

Staring at her arse and those dimples are all the perks I need, but I'll keep that to myself. "Please, Tabitha, I'd rather not receive special treatment."

"Okay." She returns her tablet to her purse. "Let's get in line, then."

"Thank you." I stand up and pull her chair out again. "You should lead the way. I have no idea which foods are edible. And you did promise to introduce me to American food, though I'm not sure such a creature exists."

"Food isn't a creature." She wrinkles her nose. "Unless you forget to clean out your fridge and alien spores take over."

I can't stop myself from chuckling. This woman might be barmy, but she's also beautiful, adorable, and clever. How did I get so lucky and win the best-assistant raffle? "I don't see any spores of any sort, so I think we're safe. But I honestly have no idea what qualifies as 'American food.' Now, we Brits do have our own unique types of dishes. I doubt you've ever tried black pudding."

"No, but I've heard of it. Wouldn't mind trying it sometime."

"You're adventurous, aren't you?"

"Mm-hm. It's wired into my DNA."

We reach the cafeteria queue just in time since I notice a large group heading this way. They just pushed through the doors. We've already claimed our position in the queue, thankfully. My stomach has begun to grumble.

Tabitha pokes my belly with one finger. "You're one hungry fella, aren't you?"

"Well, I did forgo breakfast this morning."

As we shuffle forward two paces, she studies me with a look of concern. "Are you feeling all right?"

"Right as rain. But I was anxious this morning, so I skipped breakfast. I did have some coffee, though."

"Coffee is not food." She wags a finger at me and clucks her tongue. "Come on, Spencer, be a good boy from now on and eat three square meals a day. A hardworking executive needs nourishment."

"Were you once a kindergarten teacher? You have that sort of way about you."

Tabitha leans against the edge of the counter. "I've been called childish before, so I guess that means I'm qualified to teach little kids. But I never have done that."

"My sister, Bindy, has children. They're sweet and lovable, but they do have a rambunctious side. My brother, Kendall, used to hide in the kitchen whenever Bindy brought the kids to a family event."

We move forward a few paces, though not quite near enough to steal any food. But I don't mind the wait. It gives me a chance to chat to Tabitha. And that reminds me of a question I've meant to ask her. "I've never met someone called Tabitha before. Do you like to be called Tabby?"

"Not really. I prefer the full version at work, and only my family uses the shortened version. Do you have a nickname?"

"My family and mates call me Spence."

"That's a sexy nickname. Tabby just sounds like I'm a cat." As the line moves forward a few more paces, she explains, "My mom has always loved that old television show Bewitched. When she was a little girl, she watched that TV series all the time. The main character's daughter was called Tabitha."

"And so, your mum christened you with that name."

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