Page 19 of Sultry Nights

She swallowed a knot that formed in her throat. Hopefully, she didn't steer him in the wrong direction. "Please don't do it on my account. What if I'm wrong?"

He shook his head. "You're not wrong. You're absolutely right. And I love the idea."

Their food came, and they ate. Small talk. He told her about Jared and his service, and that he was going to make him the assistant general contractor on the Army barracks job. He felt so much better about having a firm direction to go with that.

She told him about her mom and her dad.

The conversation floated briefly to Isaac when Quinn asked, "So, is your ex in town?"

"No, he's not in town, and I'm grateful for that, but I still seem to have to clean up some of his messes."

Quinn shook his head. "I know what you mean. My ex has been a pain all these five years after our divorce. It's always something new with her. She continues to find ways to drag me into something. But I'm officially finished with that."

Hanna nodded. "I'm hoping to get there soon. I don't want to deal with any more of his messes. He keeps getting in trouble. He's been trouble from day one."

Quinn grinned. "How about we both make a deal with each other? We're both finished cleaning up our ex's messes."

She laughed. "I love that idea. Deal."

She reached across the table and they shook hands. That same electric bolt ran up her arm. His skin was warm, his handshake firm, and he stared right into her eyes. That was the most disconcerting. His eyes were wonderful, dark, shiny, and captivating. She had to be very careful around this man.

The waitress stopped at their table. "Did you folks save room for dessert?"

He conspiratorially leaned forward and said, "Though I doubt that you'd want anyone else's dessert since you're the expert on desserts and all. But would you like something else?"

The waitress inhaled. "Oh my God, that's who you are. You're Hanna from Mae's."

Hanna chuckled, "Yes, I'm from Mae's. And no, thank you. I didn't save room for dessert."

Quinn grinned, "I'll pass myself. Thank you. I'll just take the check."

The waitress hustled off and came back very soon with the check, took their plates, and Quinn said, "Thank you for a lovely dinner, Hanna. It's been a long time since I've been able to enjoy the company of a beautiful woman. And I'm grateful you said yes."

She felt the heat climb up her torso and her cheeks warmed. "Thank you for asking. I nearly called to cancel today, but I'm glad I didn't."

"That would have been a travesty. We both deserve some respite from our former lives."

10

Quinn pulled Hanna's chair out for her and followed her to the front of the restaurant. He liked keeping his hand at the small of her back. The connection to a beautiful woman felt great. He truly had forgotten what a pleasure it could be to spend time with someone who didn't want something from you. She was smart and interesting. Yes, he'd missed this.

As they exited the restaurant, Hanna's phone rang. She pulled it from her bag, glanced at the screen, and dropped it back into her bag.

"Please answer it if you need to. I won't be offended."

She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I didn't recognize the number. Likely a scammer, so I'll pass for now."

He helped her into the truck. The simple touch of her hand was thrilling. This was how his father taught him to treat a woman. Make her feel special and cared for, and he loved how he felt being a gentleman. As he climbed into the truck once more, Hanna's phone rang.

Her smile was forced. "I'm sorry. I'll just turn it off."

He shook his head. "No need. I'm surprised my phone hasn't interrupted us this evening. Usually, that's when I get a handful of calls. People inquiring about their remodel jobs or timing of things or questions about the job. Tonight, the universe must have muted my phone!"

She chuckled. "The universe didn't get that order to my phone."

He grinned and backed them out of the parking lot. As he began driving toward Mae's, her phone rang once more.

He glanced quickly at her and laughed. "Someone needs to speak with you."

---