Page 12 of Enemy Crush
He looks up at me and his green eyes are shining, but the waitress comes over and freshens up both our drinks so the connection we were making is lost. “I’m sorry for thinking that you wanted the store to fail. I just…wanted to make sure you were in this one-hundred percent before I bent over backward to help something that didn’t need helping.”
He laughs. “It’s fine. Believe it or not, you’re not the first person who didn’t think I’d make it.”
“It’s not that I didn’t think you’d make it. I just didn’t see you making a life out of it.”
“But now you do?”
I nod. “Now that I know you want this life, the small town, settling down, having kids. Yes.” A smile begins to spread on its own and it brings a small grin out in him.
The two of us finish our food and I’m more stuffed than I have been in a long time. I don’t usually overeat. I hate feeling stuffed and heavy, but I was starving and the food was so good that I just wanted to eat it all. Not to mention, I may be enjoying our dinner and wanting it to last a little longer.
“Do we have room for dessert?” the waitress asks.
“No thanks. I’ll take the check please.”
She rushes off and Paxton scoffs. “You’re not paying.”
“This is a business dinner, Pax. It’s on the company.”
“I’ll pay,” he insists.
“Seriously, look. I have the company card,” I say, holding it up for him to view.
He shakes his head. “You’re doing this out of the goodness of your heart. I mean, I’m not paying you, right?”
I laugh. “No, every business in town is free. It’s the company’s small contribution to the town. Plus, most of our meetings will be after hours and won’t be billed on company time anyway. The rest will be written off as donations.”
“I don’t want you putting in extra hours for me,” he argues.
I laugh and roll my eyes. “Pax, when someone offers to help, just take it.”
“Fine,” he finally agrees.
The waitress comes back and sets down the check. I hand over the company card and she takes it away to ring it up.
“If you’re paying, I’m at least leaving a tip.”
I show him my hands and he digs out his wallet.
I pass over his book. “I saved your number so I’ll be in touch, but I wouldn’t expect anything until the end of the week. I’ll have some research to do while I make my presentation on how exactly we’re going to turn things around for you.”
He smiles and nods. “Sounds perfect. Thank you for doing this, Stella. God knows you didn’t have to.”
I laugh. “I started doing this for myself and for the town, but now that we seem to be on the same page, I’m doing it for you too. So, you’re welcome.”
“Please forgive me for being an asshole kid.”
My brows lift as a I laugh. “Kid?” I ask, wrinkling my nose.
This only makes him laugh harder and he says, “Alright, I’m sorry for being an asshole to you in the past. You clearly deserve much better from me.”
“Don’t think a simple apology will get you off that easy, but I forgive you.” I push my chair back and stand up.
He stands with me. “I look forward to hearing from you.” He holds out his hand to shake. I slip mine into his and I feel a spark against my palm. The spark feels like a shock that travels up my entire arm, making my nerve endings sing. Our eyes are locked and there’s a connection that neither of us can deny.
“Here’s your card back, miss,” the waitress says, walking over.
“Oh.” I snap out of my daze and pull my hand back. “Thank you.” I take the card and slip it into my purse. I offer Paxton a smile and say, “See you later.”
