Page 13 of Sideline Sweetheart
“Interesting. How am I doing so far?” I ask as my car glides into a parking space outside the restaurant. The Lake House is lit up, soft yellow light glows from the floor to ceiling windows encasing three walls of the structure. A wrap around porch allows guest the opportunity to take in the lakeview before or after dinner.
“I’m reserving my opinion until the end of the night, but it’s looking good so far.”
I shift the transmission into park and kill the engine before giving her my most charming grin. “Guess I better bring my A-game tonight then.” I top off the grin with a wink and exit the car, circling the hood to the passenger side to open her door. I offer her my hand and once her silver shoe hits the pavement,I feel as if someone has tightened a vise around my lungs. How was it I had taken in her beauty when I picked her up and not tracked her mile-long legs in the process? When she steps out of the car, I close the door before raising her hand to my lips.
“I’m not sure what the deciding factor was to accept my invitation, but I’m glad you did.”
“I am, too.”
I offer her my arm. “Shall we?”
Mackenzie gives me a soft smile as she threads her arm through mine, and I guide us up the steps to the entrance of the restaurant. I pull open the glass panel door and let Mackenzie step inside ahead of me.
The hostess, Collett, according to her name tag, smiles as we approach. “Good evening, welcome to The Lake House.”
“Good evening, Collett. Reservation for Coban.”
“Of course, Mr. Coban, right this way,” she says taking two menus from beneath the station and leading us to our table. We wind through the tables to an intimate corner along a wall of windows. Collett places the menus on the edge of the table and bids us a good evening before returning to her station.
I pull out Mackenzie’s chair and help her scoot forward, my thumb caressing the flawless exposed skin the halter dress provides electing a shiver from her. I hide my satisfied smile before taking my seat across from her.
Her blue eyes meet mine and the flicker of candlelight dances within the depths, it’s mesmerizing. Mackenzie’s breath catches as she breaks our connection turning her gaze to the sun setting over the lake. “This view is breathtaking,” she says, taking in the colors of the sky streaked in pink and orange.
“Yes, it is,” I agree, my gaze solely focused on her.
She glances at me, and pink stains her cheeks as she realizes I’m not talking about the landscape. Mackenzie Flynn may beone of the most beautiful women I’ve encountered and tonight I’m making it my mission to learn as much about her as possible.
Chapter Eight
Mackenzie
Once we are seated,Theo, our server for the evening arrives, fills our water glasses and offers Bryce a wine list. When he makes his choice, Theo retreats to obtain the bottle Bryce ordered and gives us time to browse the menu. Once Theo returns with the wine, he fills our glasses and takes our order leaving us alone to wait for our meal. With his gaze fixed on me, Bryce picks up his wine glass and takes a sip. The intensity in his eyes causes my mouth to go dry so I do the same, taking a moment to savor the robust flavors of the rich red wine.
As I set my glass back on the table, a slow grin appears on Bryce’s lips. “Favorite movie?”
He knows I was apprehensive about going out with him, I made it clear the day we met in my office. I can’t help but appreciate his willingness to put me at ease. “I have several, do you want the list?”
His smile widens. “Top three.”
“Okay.Jurassic World, Age of Adaline, andJohn Wick.” He laughs and I smile in return. “Not what you were expecting, was it?”
“I’m a bit surprised. I mean I getAge of Adaline, it’s hard not to love a movie where the plot shows how love transcends time. But I didn’t take you as a fan of assassin flicks.”
I give a light shrug. “Sometimes a girl wants a movie where the bad guys are defeated and the good guy wins.”
“Understandable. WhyJurassic World?”
“It was the one movie I saw at the theater with my dad. We usually waited for the DVD and watched at home, but that one we saw on the big screen.”
Bryce quietly assesses me. “SoJurassic Worldis your sentimental favorite.”
I tilt my head considering his statement. “Yes, I suppose it is.” He smiles seemingly pleased with himself. “Your turn. What are your top three movies?”
“Well, my sentimental pick would beFast and Furious. My dad has been a car guy his entire life, so it’s something we watched together.WolverineandWe Are Marshall.”
I smile at his choices. “I should have known there would be a football movie in there.We Are Marshallis a great choice.”
Surprise lights his eyes. “You’ve seen it?”
