Page 50 of Twilight Destiny

“I guess so.”

“What time do you get off?” he asked.

“Six.”

He smiled again. “How about if I meet you out front?”

“All right.”

He winked at her, then headed for the door.

Rosa stared after him. What was she doing?

“A date?” Bria exclaimed. “You actually have a date?”

“Is that so hard to believe?”

“No, I guess not. So, who’s the lucky guy?”

“He’s one of Doctor Jansen’s patients.”

“Where’s he taking you?”

“Just out for a drink.”

“Well, I’ll expect a full report at lunch tomorrow.”

Rosa went into the restroom after work. She washed her hands, applied fresh lipstick, ran a comb through her hair, then stared at her reflection. What on earth had prompted her to say yes to this date? Jim Dunsmore seemed like a nice guy. She had chatted with him a couple of times in the past—casual conversations while she made appointments or answered questions, but surely she had never said or done anything to make him think she wanted to go out with him. Because she really didn’t.

With a shake of her head, she grabbed her handbag, waved good night to one of the techs, and left the office.

Mr. Dunsmore was waiting for her at the foot of the stairs.

It was too late to back out now, Rosa thought, as she pasted a smile on her face.

“I thought we’d go to Jack’s Place,” Dunsmore said. “If that’s all right with you?”

“Fine.” Jack’s was a nice club, well-lit, not like the dreary vampire bars Saintcrow had taken her to. “Why don’t I take my car?” Rosa suggested. “That way you won’t have to bring me back.”

“Sure, if that’s what you want.” He didn’t sound very happy about it.

She followed him to the nightclub and parked her car beside his.

It was too early for a crowd. Rosa slid into a booth near the door, wondering what they would find to talk about. Wondering how soon she could excuse herself and go home. Jim seemed like a nice guy, but he wasn’t Jake, and Kincaid was all she could think of. All she wanted.

Jim Dunsmore took the seat across from her. “Have you been here before?”

“Now and then,” Rosa said. “Usually with the group from the office when someone is celebrating a birthday or the arrival of a new baby.”

He nodded, then looked up when someone came to take their drink order. He asked for a scotch and soda, she opted for a glass of Merlot.

“So, what do you like to do for fun?” he asked.

Rosa shrugged. “Oh, you know, movies, dancing, bowling.”

“Favorite movie?”

“Thor,” she said without thinking, and immediately regretted it when Jake’s image popped into her mind.

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