Page 49 of Beautiful Dreamer

“I’d love to hear you say that same phrase in other…more personalscenarios.”

Elizabeth’s eyes went wide. Her cheeks went pink. And a smileappeared. “I think the flirting just started.”

Oh, it had, too.

Dinner was full of it. As Devyn ate what turned out to be the bestplate of gnocchi she’d ever been served, they participated in stolen glances.Those progressed to long stretches of eye contact, and the occasionalflirtatious compliment. All seemed based in fun, however, which was where Devynfelt most comfortable and in control.

“You know how to rock a scarf,” Elizabeth said, over her wineglass. Her eyes danced.

Devyn nodded. “I only have a few skills. Scarf wearing issomething I’ve put a lot of time and effort into getting right.”

“Not for naught.”

“I’m sorry?”

Elizabeth laughed. “It’s the same word spelled differently, withdifferent meanings. Think about it. Not for naught. I like saying it.Basically, it means your efforts were not in vain. You look…very pretty.” Shetook a deep breath. “You always do.”

“When you opened your front door tonight, I lost all words. Seeingyou standing there in your dress was a surprise.”

“Why was that?”

“Because I was already attracted to you. Look, I’m not even goingto try and deny that. You know it. But seeing the…shape of your body, and theway the fabric—”

“Hey there, old friends.”

They turned. Standing next to their table in a white chef’s coatwas Seth, complete with the curly blond hair that Devyn had always identifiedwith him peeking out of his cap.

“Hi, Seth,” she said, trying her best to smile. “Long time.”

“Seth, hi. It’s good to see you.” Elizabeth beamed. “But not rightnow.”

He quirked his head at her. “Just wanted to make sure you’reenjoying your meal.”

“More like enjoyed. I killed it.” She slid her plate away. “Yourrestaurant is the best restaurant, and this ravioli will bring me back manymore times, but I need Devyn to finish what she was saying to me. Can you comeback in ten minutes?” She flashed both palms at him to indicate the number ten.

He laughed, nodded, and moved to the next table.

Well, well. Apparently Devyn wasn’t the only one caught in alustful haze.

Elizabeth leaned in. “You were saying?”

“I was saying you’re hot, and I can’t stop looking at you.”

“People around here don’t generally describe me as hot.”

“People around here can be stupid. Trust me. They’re thinking it.Probably all day.” Elizabeth probably didn’t even realize she did so, but shelicked her bottom lip, which made Devyn want to taste it. “We should get out ofhere soon.”

“I can’t sleep with you tonight.” Elizabeth exhaled in defeat.“And understand that those words were very hard to say.”

“I would never expect—”

“It’s not that I don’t want to, because God, right now I would befine with,” she leaned in and dropped her voice, “taking those clothes off youin a hurry.” Devyn forgot to breathe. “But it’s the first date thing I can’tget past. I’m not a sex-on-the-first-date kind of girl. And trust me, I’vetried to be all night.”

“It’s kind of our second date,” Devyn said. “If you think aboutit.”

“I don’t think I’m a second date kind of girl.”

“We’ve also spent a ton of time together at the house, but thatstill doesn’t mean that I—”

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