Page 16 of One Weekend in Seattle

“Pint or imperial?”

“Yes, basically small or large.”

“Got it. I wonder if Lindsay knows about this place. She’d love it.” She glanced around at the dark wood. The place was on the small size, but cozy and fun looking. “What are we doing after lunch?”

Sawyer reached across the table and took her hand in his. Something he’d been doing a lot today, not that she hadn’t taken his hand a time or two. Her ex wasn’t one to hold hands, and in a way, she’d gotten used to not being touched, but with Sawyer, it was different. Heck, with him, everything was different.

“I’m not going to spoil the surprise.”

She laughed and shook her head. “You and your surprises.”

“I promise you’ll love what I have planned.”

“How can you be sure of that?” She was intrigued by his confidence.

“How am I doing so far?”

Gabby closed her eyes and took a breath. “Batting a thousand, but I think you know that.”

“I hoped that’s what you’d think.”

“Why hasn’t some woman snatched you up by now?” Her voice held disbelief. The second she asked the question, she knew she’d made a mistake. A shiver skated over her skin as his facial features froze, and a frown appeared on his forehead. “Forget I asked.”

Instantly, his features cleared. “It’s okay.” He squeezed her fingers. “I haven’t found a woman who fits me. Yet.”

“I have to say I’m surprised.”

“Why is that?”

“You don’t need me to spell it out.” Gabby cursed herself for going down this path. Part of her wanted to know more about his man, but also, her attraction to him was growing by the second, and now she’d have to tell him exactly why.

He cocked his head. “Please do. I want to know.”

She nibbled at her lower lip for a moment. “You’re a handsome man.”

“Looks aren’t everything.”

“True. But…You’re so normal. Down to earth. Nice.”

“What does that mean?” His voice held a note of disbelief.

“It means, you have a job in a nightclub that you seem to enjoy but you don’t brag about. You don’t mind showing someone around Seattle even though you’ve probably done it a thousand times.” She took a sip of her tea. “You care about people. You put a lot of thought into what we are doing today based on what little I told you about myself last night.”

“I care about you.”

Gabby gulped, her insides swirling. “I-I care about you too.”

They stared into each other’s eyes for a long moment. When his eyes dipped to her lips, Gabby wanted him to kiss her more than she’d wanted anything in a long time. Except they were just getting to know each other. She didn’t want to ruin this by jumping in feet first. Against her heart’s wishes, she sat back in her chair.

Sawyer’s eyes darkened for a moment, but a quick nod was the only other reaction he showed. He took a sip of his beer. “What else?”

What else could she say about him? That she wanted his lips on her. All over her. That she’d hardly slept last night thinkingabout their date? “Well, you understood when I told you not to spend your money on me.”

Sawyer leaned forward. “First off, I rarely play tourist in Seattle. Second, it was obvious last night you like food, and I took that as a challenge.”

“Right. The men I’ve known would override all my objections and do what they wanted anyway, but you haven’t. You listen. That’s a woman’s dream man.”

“Is it yours?”

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