Page 23 of Unexpected Danger
“Okay. I’ll also reach out to him.” He caught Roarke’s eye. They shared the same sentiment about their prodigal little brother.
Chapter 7
Unfortunately, the police had nothing concrete to pin on BJ Nuss. The thought of him lurking around every corner or potentially showing up in her house or texting or calling her again caused incredible trepidation.
There was no sign of a break-in. Apparently, Mr. Nuss or whoever it was wandered right through the front door. Detective Rivas, while sympathetic, had doubted her when she insisted she’d locked the door.
Dustin continued to accompany her to the parking garage and home each day. There was only one problem with his repeated offers. She appreciated his thoughtfulness, but it was a little awkward. She knew he liked her, and she wasn’t sure she could return his affections. Not that Dustin wasn’t nice, because he was, and he was a great catch, as Jasmine pointed out on numerous occasions. But honestly, one of the other single women in the office who had their eye on him should probably make a move because Londyn wouldn’t be.
Nothing had happened in the past few days, so Londyn’s stress level decreased somewhat. Before they left for work, Jasmine pointed out that Dustin might not wait forever for her when Londyn had declined his offer to take her out tonight. Londyn had only wanted to go home and snuggle up with a book and relax.
On another note, if she were out with Dustin, she would feel safer than she would even in her own apartment. Even if a patrol officer would occasionally drive through the neighborhood.
Dustin perched near the corner of her cubicle and smiled. “Have you given any thought about tonight?”
How could she deny his request when he had been so thoughtful and dedicated in making sure she was safe?
“Sure,” she heard herself say.
“Awesome!”
While she would have preferred to stop at home and freshen up a bit first, it made better sense to go directly from work instead of having him follow her home and wait for her.
Jasmine appeared with a suspicious smirk on her face. “It’s about time you said yes, Londyn. You two have fun tonight. I will see you Sunday at church, Dustin.”
The partly cloudy skies gave a glimmer of hope that spring was on its way. Dustin walked her to her car, and they stood together briefly in the parking garage. The only other people on this crisp Friday evening were a few people Londyn recognized from the law office in the same building as her employer. Most wanted to exit their work and head home after a busy week.
“Do you want to just hop in my truck and go to dinner? I can drop you off after we eat and follow you home.”
“That makes sense, but honestly, I prefer not to come back to the parking garage tonight, especially if it gets too late.
“I understand. How about I follow you over to the restaurant?”
“That sounds good.” She anticipated a relaxing evening, even if her plans had changed.
She pulled out of the parking garage, and Dustin followed her to the Rowland Steakhouse, an upper-end restaurant on the far western side of town. The parking lot was already packed. They might not even get a table.
Dustin parked his maroon diesel truck beside her SUV and exited his vehicle.
“Do you think we’ll get a table?”
Dustin grinned at her, a glimmer in his dark eyes. “I’m not worried.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, someonemayhave made reservations.”
“But how did you know I would say yes?”
Dustin shrugged. “I didn’t. But it’s easier to cancel the reservations than to try to make them at the last minute. Besides, now we have a table.”
The guy truly thought of everything. Londyn was shocked he wasn’t already snapped up and married with three or four kids and living in the suburbs. They wove their way through the crowded parking lot and stepped into the ritzy steakhouse, where the aroma of steak and potatoes greeted them. Dustin informed the hostess that he had reservations, and she led them to a private table on the second floor overlooking the nearby lake.
“Wow, the view is amazing.”
“Yes, it is.” Dustin kept his focus on Londyn for several seconds before handing the hostess what appeared to be cash, before she went on her way. “I thought you would enjoy this spectacular view. It’s the best table in the place.” Dustin walked over to her side and pulled out her chair. She appreciated his chivalry. Maybe she should consider dating him.
Brodie’s image flashed through her mind. If there was no chance with him due to her foolishness, maybe Dustin would be a second option.
