Page 16 of Before I Knew

“No, you were the smarter one. Plus, you know, you have the whole family business you need to protect. But I’m not going to be a danger to any of that.”

Though I did work for a man who hated him. However, that wasn’t going to be a problem. This was just coffee, and Mr. Howard didn’t care. They ran in different circles after all.

“I feel like I really should have asked your name.”

“Maybe, but it was fun figuring out who you were just through text messages. I mean, I know that you don’t like the Penguins.”

I rolled my eyes. “I don’t not like them. But you have to have loyalty. You’re from here.”

“I am. But sometimes I travel. And I can’t get to an Avs game. Or a Broncos game.”

“That is true. And honestly, I have no idea how you even got time away to have lunch today. You have to be too busy to have coffee today. What I know of your business is insane. You guys do so much.”

He shrugged, tapping his finger on his mug. “True, and I have a good team and family that works with me. However, I’m allowed to have coffee with a beautiful woman.”

I rolled my eyes. “That’s a lie.”

“It is not. I’m sorry to say, but you are beautiful.”

“Well, I could say the same to you, but I’m pretty sure the two women that literally swooned next to you while we were talking in there answered that for both of us.”

He snorted and finished his coffee. “I can’t say that happens often.”

“No you just don’t notice it.”

“So you didn’t notice the man looking at you?”

“I only noticed you.” I put my hand over my mouth and groaned. “Pretend I didn’t say that.”

“If it helps, I hadn’t even realized I was standing there gawking at you until that woman said something,” he whispered.

“Oh.”

Oh.

“I really have to go back to work,” I said after a moment, and he nodded.

“Same. I have meetings. But I’d like to do this again?”

My cheeks warmed. “Coffee in the middle of a workday?”

“Or dinner.”

“Dinner. Dinner could be good.”

He stood up and took my hand. “I’ll text you?” he asked, the light in his eyes dancing.

I wanted to know this man. This enigma. “Okay. Text me.” Texting him felt familiar in such an unfamiliar situation.

He kissed my hand again, and I rolled my eyes. “I’m sorry, I’ve never met someone who actually did that.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever actually done that,” he said, squeezing my hand. “It just felt apropos.”

“I’m busy this weekend,” I blurted. “But maybe next weekend?”

“Next weekend can work, and as it happens, I’m busy as well.”

“Well, this was nice, I’ll talk to you soon?” I asked, knowing I was babbling at this point.

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