Page 15 of Audra: The Prequel

“You’re a very popular man, and as I explained, I’d rather not show up in one of those online articles about you. I have familymembers who are famous and semi-famous, and I’m familiar with how misinformation can circulate about celebrities and those close to them.”

“I understand that you don’t want that to happen to you.”

“I definitely don’t.”

The waitress arrived to take their drink orders and then left them alone again. Damon sat back and watched Audra with undisguised interest, his eyes practically boring into her soul. “What kind of misinformation do you think would crop up about us?”

She shrugged. “We’re here as friends, right? But I’m sure if people saw us together, they’d make assumptions.”

“Such as?” he prompted.

“They might assume we’re a couple and that we’re… you know.”

“Sleeping together,” he supplied.

“Yes.”

“And we’re not yet,” Damon said.

“Exactly. We’re—” She stopped abruptly. “Yet?”

“Did I say yet?” he asked, looking unrepentant.

“The innocent act doesn’t work for you. Yes, you said yet.”

Damon leaned toward her, and she held her breath.

“How about we both stop pretending? You know I’m not interested in being your friend. I’ve never sent flowers to my friends or drooled when I saw them approach me in the restaurant where we’re having dinner. Let’s see how the evening goes. Because the last thing I want to do is be your friend, Audra, but if I told you what I really wanted, I might scare you off. And I don’t want to scare you off.” He started studying the open menu. “You’ve been here before. What do you recommend?”

He switched gears so abruptly, she almost thought she had imagined his intensity, but there was no imagining the breathlessness she experienced from his bold words.

Audra resettled in her chair. She could handle the change. “I, er, I had the ribeye last time with the lobster mac and cheese and broccolini.”

“Good?” Damon arched an eyebrow at her.

“Excellent. I think I’ll get that again.” She scanned the menu, in case there was something else she might want.

“I’ll get that too.” He closed his menu.

“No, we have to order different meals. At least order a different side. That way we can—” She caught herself. She was being way too familiar with him and making assumptions. He might not like to share his food.

“What?” Damon prompted.

“Nothing.”

“You want to order different sides so we can try each other’s food. Am I right?”

“Well…”

“I like that idea. I’ll order the mashed potato soufflé and the orange carrots. How about that?”

“You should get what you want,” Audra said.

“That is what I want. I was taking the easy way out because you confirmed those other dishes were good. This way we can try different things. Okay?”

She smiled. “Okay.”

The waitress returned with their drinks, and they placed their orders, and Damon included an order of stuffed mushrooms.

---