Page 33 of A Little More

Charlie waved from a table in the small courtyard of the restaurant. The area sat along the sidewalk, making it feel like a cafe in France. Most of the tables were full of other professionals, which was one reason he’d said he would meet her there. He wanted to make sure they got a good table. Apparently, prime seating took precedence over Nash’s theory that a man should pick you up for a meal.

That was fine. She didn’t need someone to drive. She passed through the opening in the black wrought iron fence, pasting a smile on her face. She’d accepted the date; she should at least appear to want to be there.

“Lexi,” Charlie began, rising and giving her an expected kiss on her cheek. His lips were cold and flat. It didn’t do anything to heat her blood the way Nash could with only a look. “You look relaxed and refreshed. Did you take a vacation recently?”

She sat down across from him, noting he’d not worn a tie. That was one point in his favor. “No, but I’ve been spending more time than usual outside on this project. Being in the fresh air has been a nice change of pace.”

“That’s right. The little country store in the middle of nowhere.”

“It’s a bit more than a little country store.”

His forehead wrinkled. “A bit?” He laughed, looking like a parent might indulge a child with a slight shake of his head. “You’re even picking up the way they talk. That’s cute.”

She sipped her lemon water, her eyes tracking the cars passing by, but not seeing them. She’d picked up a thing or two, but Charlie’s snotty use of the wordtheybothered her more than it would have a month ago. Had she really thought such an uppity man was her type?

Charlie laid his hand on top of hers. Small and soft. She glanced at his cuticles. Wow. She needed to switch manicurists.

“I hope I’ll get to see you more now that the project is over.”

She slipped her hand away. “Oh, I’ll have to go back down there a little more. Then Julien gave me another job in Athens.” Picking up the menu, putting a barrier between them, she focused on the descriptions. She could make it through lunch.

“The salads here are supposed to be fantastic!” Charlie pulled her menu down and started pointing to the different ones, describing what they were. Her eyes tracked over to the right side of the menu, the side she’d never even think to order from before. The side with real food.

Her phone chimed.

“Give me a second, Charlie.” She glanced at the number. Nash. “Let me answer this text.”

Had to come to Atlanta to pick up another tractor part. Can I take you to lunch?

Of all the days…

Lexi peaked up, guilt flowing over her that she’d rather be with Nash.

I might have said yes, but I’m at lunch right now…with Charlie.

“Are you ready to order?” The waiter appeared beside the table.

Her phone chimed.

Charlie’s eyebrows rose. Probably due to the stupid smile she couldn’t seem to hide. “Are you ready?”

“Yes. I’ll have the American burger please.” Ordering it without Nash beside her sounded wrong, like the woman that enjoyed a burger at the Daylight Diner was somehow different than the one in Atlanta.

How did all her resistance to Nash disappear the minute she heard from him? Didn’t say much about her unwavering self-control.

“Lexi?” Charlie handed the waiter his menu while glaring at her like she’d grown two heads. “I thought on our last date you said that you tried to eat vegetarian and gluten-free.”

“I did.” But not anymore. “With fries,” she added. The waiter nodded and shifted for Charlie’s order.

“I’ll have a summer salad. Are you sure you want all that meat for lunch? Or ever?”

Her phone chimed a second time reminding her of the text.

If you’re trying to make me jealous, it’s working.

Charlie cleared his throat. Lexi looked up. His colorless skin and light blue eyes made him appear ghost-like with his white dress shirt. His tie was probably laid out perfectly in his car. Unable to stop, she texted back.

That wasn’t my plan.

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