Page 43 of Five Alarm Kiss

His gaze bounced from the napkin to her. “Nothing.”

She picked up her purse.

So, I like things neat. Nothing wrong with that.

When she stood, Laurel tripped on the stupid stilts Britt had forced her to wear, and stumbled into Jake.

“Whoa.” He steadied her. “Were you sneaking shots before you came, Princess? Because you’ve only had soda here.”

“No!”Fudge, he thinks I’ve been drinking?“It’s the stupid shoes, I swear.”

He chuckled at her worried expression. “I’m kidding.” Looking at her feet, he asked, “What’s wrong with your shoes?”

“I don’t do heels,” she confessed.

“So, you’re wearing them because…?”

“Because Britt thought it would be easier to?—”

Cranberries!

She caught her lips between her teeth. Goodness, she’d almost blurted out?—

“Easier to what?”

“Nothing,” she evaded, reaching for her coat.

Jake beat her to it and helped her put it on.

He pushes in chairs and helps a lady with her coat?

None of the guys she’d dated before had done that for her. It was unexpected and sweet.

They exited the restaurant after Jake paid. The brisk air outside was an unwelcome change from the warmth of the restaurant.

“Ugh, why can’t it be summer already?” she whined as a shiver ran through her.

“Not a winter person?” Jake asked.

She shook her head, stuffing her hands into her pockets. “Never have been. I’m a wuss in the cold.”

“C’mon, it’s May. This isn’t cold.”

“I beg to differ.”

“Wow, you really are a wuss in the cold,” he said with a smirk.

“Hey!”

“What? You just said…”

“You don’t have to agree with me.”

“Sorry.” He started rubbing his hands up and down her arms to warm her up. “I promise not to agree with you in the future.”

She rolled her eyes, pretending the touch of his hands wasn’t making her heat up in more ways than one.

“Where’s your car?” he asked.

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