Page 25 of It Had to be You

Her complexion paled and he wanted to wrap his arms around her.

"It shouldn’t matter," she explained. "You’re here to get to know Blair-"

"I know her," he leaned closer wanting to make sure she heard him. "We’ve known each other for

years because of work and regardless of why I’m here, the person I feel a connection to is you."

She squeezed her eyes closed and took a few deep breaths. He knew she was a moment or two away from walking away from him.

"If you weren’t working for Martina and I wasn’t matched up with Blair. What would you say?" He

waited a second or two. "Just between us. If you don’t feel anything for me, just tell me and I won’t say a thing about it ever again."

He was more than out on a limb. He was bouncing on it while he was sawing through the branch

between himself and the trunk. He’d put everything on this one conversation and he just might live to regret it. Left unsaid though, he would have regretted it for the rest of his life.

At least he was taking a chance.

"What do you think, Tatum?" He held out his hand and when she opened her eyes, she looked

from his hand to his face and back again before she spoke.

"Just between you and me." Her shoulders shook as a smile lit her face. "Yes, I’m attracted to you. Very attracted, but that’s going to be a problem that I really don’t want to think about right now. I’m starving and I’ll go with you as long as you feed me." He could hear the laughter in her voice, but when she took his hand,she took her time and threaded their fingers together. "Can you handle that?"

"Finding you something to eat?" He laughed out loud. "It would be my pleasure."

He’d said the words and meant them. He would be happy to get her something to eat. He was

hungry too. He hadn’t ever eaten anything that he knew was Puerto Rican food, but he was game. Anything to make this day an adventure she’d never forget.

He already knew he’d never forget their time together.

What they’d found on their walk was incredible. They hadn’t needed the instructions that she’d

been given. As they walked together and talked, the time was punctuated by two events. Every time someone walked past them with something delicious in their hands, Alexander and Tatum turned in the direction they had come from, and every time the wind tried to steal her hat away one or both of them managed to grab it before it flew away.

By the time they found the courtyard full of carts and food stalls, they were starving for food

and air. They’d had many things to talk about and laugh over.

"Well," he looked at her and saw the wide-eyed excitement in her eyes, "where do you want to

start?"

She licked her lips and then looked at him with a grin. "Just so you know I mean business

about this food thing. I didn’t put lipstick on."

He thought about her statement and nodded in reply. "I’ve been warned."

Smiling at him, she gave him a wink. "Smart man."

Alexander laughed. "That’s what my mom says." He saw the first cart over her shoulders. "Why

don’t we start there and make our way around the square?"

Her eyes brightened as she looked up at him and tucked her hat under her arm. Using her free hand, she brushed her fingers through her hair and shook it out. "If you think you can keep up. Then let’s go."

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