Page 8 of Seductive Nights

"It's nice to formally meet you, too. I believe you waited on my sisters and me the other night."

"I sure did."

She nodded. "The food was good."

"Thank you for that."

"You're welcome."

He hurried to offer his condolences. "I would just like to say I'm sorry for your loss."

He saw her jaw tighten. "Thank you." She took a deep breath. "Shall we go in?"

She said it all too quickly. Who was he to judge? People handled their grief differently. He'd lost a lot of friends in the service, and he handled each one a little differently, and they weren't his spouse. So he wasn't about to judge anyone else's grief.

Margo stepped to the door, unlocked the realtor lockbox, took the key out, and unlocked the deadbolt on the thrift shop. She opened the door and reached in to flip on the lights. She pulled open the shades and said, "Well, as you can see, things are as is. The tables, everything that's here is just the way it is. The owner has already left town and simply wants a quick sale."

He looked around, trying to look interested, but who was he kidding? He didn't care two shits about what the building looked like.

"I'll take it," he said. "I'd like to write an offer right now."

She cocked her head to the side slightly. "All right then, a man who knows what he wants.”

"That's right, I'm a man who knows what I want, and right now, I want this building."

She shook her head a couple of times and chuckled. "Well," she looked around, "there aren't any chairs or anything to sit on in here."

"How about if we go next door to the bar? I'll buy you a drink. Can we write out the offer and get it taken care of right away? I'm prepared to give you earnest money, which is over there anyway.”

She hesitated a moment and stared at him. He was a little puzzled by the look she gave him. She was beautiful. When she looked at him now, she had the most beautiful blue eyes; he hadn't noticed them the other night. Her dark hair complimented those blue eyes perfectly. She was slender, tall, tallish anyway, five foot six or so he'd say. She wore a white beaded necklace to match her slacks, a yellow and white bracelet, and the handbag that she carried matched her clothing.

She was a very polished-looking woman.

Finally, she said, "All right, we can do that. I'll just step out to my car quickly to get my laptop, and then I'll meet you inside."

"That sounds great." He stepped out of the front door and waited as she locked it. Then she walked on the sidewalk, her heels clicking. That's when he noticed that her heels matched her slacks perfectly. You could barely see them. He chuckled to himself. He was still wearing shorts and sandals from work today. Sometimes when he worked out on the beach a lot, he kicked his flip-flops off and just went barefoot.

He loved this business that he was in. Who wouldn't? He wore shorts and flip-flops or sandals every day. Beautiful women surrounded him with bikinis and short shorts. He was living everybody's vacation. People came in good moods, except for Margo and her sisters last night.

The majority of people who frequented his place were jovial and happy and looking to have a good time. He was right there for all of it. Every time the cash register chimed, he had to stop himself from grinning.

He stepped into the bar, walked around the back, and got himself a glass of water. Then he picked a table in the corner and set the glass of water down. Checking the shades on the windows to make sure there was appropriate light for her to write or type or whatever she was going to do with this offer, and then waited for her.

It was hard to sit still. When he was here, he was usually running around, getting drinks, serving food, picking up dishes, and chatting with the customers. That's how his business grew so quickly. Customers loved talking to the owner. They loved seeing the owner hustle. And, he had hustle worked out. It kept him trim. Shit, he regularly walked twenty-five to thirty thousand steps every day. Usually while carrying something.

The door opened, and Margo walked in. If the jukebox had been playing right now, that would be the song he always associated with Margo. Her long, dark hair flowed over her shoulders. It had to be warm with all that hair cascading around her. But, damn, it sure looked amazing. The white heels and slacks hung on her trim frame delightfully. The yellow was such a contrast to her dark hair he had a hard time looking away. His mouth dried, and all he could do was wave her over. He took a deep breath as she sat. Her back was ramrod straight. She looked almost uncomfortable.

"What can I get you to drink, Margo?"

"I'll just take a water."

"Are you sure? Whatever you want is on the house."

"I'm working, so," she said

"I have iced tea if you'd like that. We have raspberry and regular. I've got a variety of sodas. It doesn't have to be alcoholic."

She finally smiled, and he felt sucker punched. She was gorgeous when she smiled. As in,Oh my gosh, absolutely gorgeous.

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