She looked up at him through her long eyelashes and grinned. “It wouldn’t be nearly as impressive as what you just accomplished.”
“I’ll say…” the teen said wistfully.
“Hey!” Tyler said in a warning tone as he pointed to him. “Be respectful.”
She seemed surprised at his authoritative tone as she slid his tie free from his collar and looped it around her own neck. “I hope you don’t mind me borrowing this, but I’m headed to a meeting.” A shadow crossed her face, but it quickly faded and a slight smile lifted her mouth. “I’d rather not be mostly naked for the appointment.”
Horror washed through him. “God. I’m so sorry.”
She shrugged, then sighed. “C’est la vie.”
Other than her sudden shock at being drenched in coffee, then stripped in public, this was the first time he’d seen any sign that she’d seemed negatively affected by any of this. She’d definitely taken this far better than any other woman he knew would have done.
He reached for the tie and gently brushed her fingers away as he took over tying the knot. “I really am sorry.”
She kept her gaze down. “It’s hard to fault you for trying to save me from scalding burns.”
He finished with the knot and resisted the urge to smooth the silk between her breasts.
“Of course, you helped only because you tossed your coffee on me, but I can overlook that part.” Her smile was back in place as she looked up at him. “I’ll be sure to give the jacket and tie to Brittany. Hopefully, she can get it back to you before the wedding.”
He started to tell her that he’d see Brittany on Saturday, but the cashier was holding out her coffee. She grabbed it and took a step back.
Tyler reached for his wallet again. “I insist on paying.”
The cashier shook her head and handed him a new cup with a sheepish look. “We remade yours, and both are on the house.”
“Thanks,” he said as he stuffed his wallet back into his pants. When he turned around to ask if he could walk her to her car, he did a double take. She was gone.
And he still didn’t know her name.