Page 18 of Knot a Good Idea

“Okay. So, tell me the real reason you’re in Isleton,” she says.

I drum my fingers on the steering wheel, fighting a grin. “Business.”

She scoffs. “No shit.” But I can hear the teasing lilt in her voice, and her scent sweetens slightly. “But what kind of business?”

“Are you really interested?” We’re at a stoplight before a freeway entrance, and I turn to her, curious. “It’s not that exciting.”

She shrugs. “Last time I checked, a date is where you get to know the other person.”

I suddenly feel foolish. When is the last time I’ve been on a date? I’m used to social events, meeting and mingling with others, but nothing like this.

It’s been years. I don’t know how to evenpretendto be on a proper date.

No one’s genuinely cared to learn about me unless it’s a means to their end.

“You’re right,” I sigh. “I’m rusty with these sorts of things.”

“Yeah, me too,” she murmurs. “But so far, we haven’t royally fucked it up.”

I chuckle. “We haven’t.”

I will soon, though.

“To answer your question, I’m here for real estate. We’re looking to purchase some land.”

“Hmm.”

“You don’t seem too excited about it,” I say, noticing the frown on her face.

“I’m just curious why you would need to build multi-million-dollar homes out here.”

Now it’s my turn to frown. “I’m not.”

“Oh.” The light turns green, and I turn my attention back to the road, but not before noticing the embarrassed flush on her face.

It’s adorable, but I need to get it together.

She’s a part of the plan, and nothing more.

And that’s only if she agrees to it.

Yet the longer I stay in the car with her, the more I wish we were on an actual date.

But those are the foolish hopes of a man that has time for those things, and I certainly don’t.

“This place is breathtaking.”

It may be, but I’m fixated on the way the candlelight illuminates April’s features. She eyes the restaurant with interest, her light brown eyes taking in everything around us. The area is intimate with only a handful of white linen-covered tables and small floral centerpieces. Floor to ceiling windows give generous views of the restaurant’s gardens.

But I could give a fuck less about the restaurant. She’s the only thing worth looking at in here.

“It is,” I agree. “You fit right in.”

She rewards me with a slight smile and a slight shake of her head. “I’m not used to that.”

“To what?”

“The compliments. They’re alot.”

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