Page 27 of The Bourbon Bet
“I’ve heard you haven’t lived until you’ve tried their chocolate bourbon bread pudding.”
Delight flickers across her face. “I never say no to chocolate.”
I should have known. She’d ordered the sweetest drink on the menu at the coffeehouse. I wave over the waiter.
Tonight I met the woman who lights up when talking about kids discovering books, who gets flustered over separate checks, and rides a bike through downtown traffic. But my brother’s offer is still there, settling in my chest like the char at the bottom of a barrel—dark and impossible to ignore.
The question gnawing at me is whether she’ll choose the easy money or find another way.
And whether I’m fool enough to hope it matters.
ChapterEleven
Rosalia
I swirl my nearly empty glass and study the ruby liquid, pretending to read the dessert menu. Our dinner conversation had flowed as smoothly as the wine Sebastian ordered, except now my attention keeps drifting to my phone, turned face down. The screen is no longer visible, but the email notification from the Blackstone lawyer is in my mind’s eye. The subject line is “Regarding Your Lease Termination.” Guilt and desperation eat at my full stomach, souring our shared wonderfulmeal.
Given our sudden tension, I’m surprised that Sebastian didn’t ask for the bill. Instead, he ordered us an amazing dessert sampler. “Try the chocolate one.” He points to a decadent-looking truffle cake at the edge of the plate.
And while I might be upset, chocolate is not something I’m going to pass up. I take a small bite, and the rich ganache momentarily pushes away my worries. “Oh my god,” I murmur, forgetting my situation. “That’s incredible.”
“I looked up this place. The pastry chef was trained in Paris,” he says, his smile returning. “I thought you might like it.”
He remembers my sweet tooth from our coffee date. My heart does a little skip. I take another sip of wine, letting it relax the knot between my shoulders and push away thoughts of Thorne, leases, and the precarious position of my bookstore.
“I’m sorry,” I say, not entirely sure what I’m apologizing for—my distraction, the secrets between us, or the fact that I’m enjoying his company far more than I should. “Which one are you going to try?”
“All of them.” He grins and his playfulness dissolves the rest of my tension.
“Whew,” I laugh. “I was hoping you’d say that so I could too.”
“I still can’t believe you love hiking and horseback riding,” I muse, then pause, trying the carrot cake.
“Why?” he asks.
I can’t picture him, the high-profile billionaire, doing something as simple as walking in nature for relaxation and fun. I giggle at my mental image. “Do you hike and ride in a three-piece suit?”
He laughs, straightening his already straight tie.“Of course. How else would one hike?” he jokes, exuding charm and irresistible allure.
He’s handsome, but under the formal business tycoon is a cute man, which is dangerous. I like this side of him way too much.
He holds up the nearly empty bottle of white wine. “Would you like more?”
“No. No. I’ve had more than enough.” I’ve had at least three glasses. The crisp wine had gone down way too smoothly. My bike ride home is going to be interesting. Glancing outside, my heart sinks at the last bit of light bleeding fromthe sky. Have we been chatting for over two hours? “I should have water. My return trip will take a little longer because of the dark.”
Sebastian raises his hand and seconds later the waiter is next to our table. After giving his credit card, he says, “Let me give you a ride home.”
I’m tempted, and convince myself that all the wine is why I’m at ease with him. “What about my bike?”
“I’ll come back and get it after dropping you off.”
I almost agree, but hold back. Mainly because of how much I want to spend more time with him. Keeping him at arm’s length is a must, at least until I find a new store location without Thorne’s help.
“Thanks, but I’ll manage. The night ride will be lovely.” Unless I break my neck navigating in the dark while a little drunk. That thought has my heart racing like a frightened rabbit.
Sebastian’s sexy mouth presses into a thin line like he wants to argue. Instead he nods. “I’ll walk you to your bike.”
He stands and offers me his arm and I slide mine through his. My body tingles where we touch. He is solid, and his cologne is amazing, primal, and sophisticated. Stepping outside, he halts so abruptly that I stumble.
