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“You can’t remember my allergies?” He quirks one eyebrow. “Really?”

“No.” I shake my head. “I remember your answers to my other questions, but these are new.”

“They are?” He nods. “Alright, go ahead.” He folds his arms. “I’m ready.”

“Why are you here today?”

“To eat.” He grins. “Next question.”

“Is that the only reason?”

“I heard the florist had too many flowers.” He tosses his head. “I thought I’d help them out.”

I open my mouth, but he cuts me off.

“Ah, ah, this is your last question. Think carefully.”

“What?” I snort. “You said you were hereto eat. I hardly think that counts as a real answer.”

“Isn’t that why most people come to restaurants?” He leans closer, and I can’t help noticing how sharp his jaw is. How bright his eyes. “I mean, it was a lie, but you should probably believe your guests as a general rule.”

“I can’t order you the perfect food if you lie to me.” But my heart’s definitely racing, and I want to hear why he really came.

“I don’t care about the food. I didn’t come for it at all. I came to see someone. That’s my honest answer.”

“You should always answer me honestly.”

“The thing is, I want to.” He sighs, bracing his hands on the white linen tablecloth. “But I’m worried that if I do, this girl I’m crazy about will spook.” He leans closer. “She spooks easy.”

I’mfor sureblushing now. “What if she told you she wouldn’t spook?”

“Is that your last question?” He’s smirking.

“I guess it is.”

“Here’s the thing.” He nods. “I’m not someone people tell ‘no’ very often. I mean, I used to be. When I was growing up, my family was kind of a joke. My dad’s not the best in business, and most people had figured that out. But now? My business does well, and I’m, well, I’m reasonably successful.” He smiles. “But I really, really like this girl. She works here. You might know her. I think people call her Hornet.”

“Not people,” I say. “Only one idiot.”

“Well, she told me she’d let me take her out.” He’s beaming. “When I saw that, I got so excited that I justhadto see her. Only, she didn’t send me the selfie I asked for.”

I whip my phone out, and sure enough, he texted me back. Eleven times. I close my eyes and shake my head. “I was working.”

“I knew that,” he says. “So I thought, why not show up here and see that gorgeous face in person.”

“Has anyone ever told you that you’re ridiculous?” I drop my voice to a hiss. “Most people can’t afford to come here once a month. You should not be coming this often.”

“You’re lucky. Your new admirer could come here every day and it wouldn’t make a difference to him.”

“You’d probably get fat though,” I say. “And then you’d have no chance. I’m shamelessly interested in your six pack.”

“You are?” The corner of his mouth turns up. “I might need to get a video of you saying that. You know, for my sister. She insists my stomach is not very impressive, but if you like it. . .”

Oh, no. I can’t believe I said that once. There’s no way I’d repeat it. And if Emerson saw it, I would die. “No, I mean, if you—if I thought.” I inhale and shake my head. “Never mind.”

“I’m not sure I can let that one slide,” he says. “Maybe I should take you to the beach on our date. Put this stomach on display and see what you think.”

“Stop,” I say.

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