Page 9 of The Billionaire's Kiss
“Steak and lobster.”
I thought that was a rather large meal for such a thin boy. “Both? How about I order the lobster, and you order the steak, and we can share?”
“I like that idea,” his father said. “I know he won’t be able to eat all of that food.”
“Deal,” Jason agreed. “And we can share a dessert, too. There are so many of them, and they all look so good.”
“Choose one, and I’ll share it with you. I’m not picky. If it’s sweet, Iwilleat it.” I searched for what would pair well with both meat and seafood from the beverage section. “There’s something called sweet tea.” I looked at the others at the table. “Any idea what that is?”
“Ask the waiter,” Mrs. Walsh answered. “I know they make some mixed drinks they call teas, but they’re anything but tea.”
“Ah, like the Long Island iced tea. Yes, I’ll have to ask.” Putting the menu down, I caught someone moving out of the corner of my eye and turned to find Warner Nash walking along the far side of the room. Our eyes met, and he raised his hand, waving at me.
Please come over here to say hello.
But he didn’t come to me at all. Instead, he kept walking all the way to the back of the room, where there was a small bar with only a handful of seats. It wasn’t meant to be a bar that people hang out at. It was primarily for making the cocktails that were served with the meals. But Warner took a seat and began talking to the bartender, who was quick to place a pint of beer in front of him.
The waitress came to our table and interrupted my spying of the man, who I couldn’t stop trying to sort out. One moment I felt that he was attracted to me, the next I felt like a fool for thinking that way. And here I was again, feeling foolish.
“Are y’all ready to order?” the waitress asked with a strong Texas accent.
“I have a question,” I said, grabbing her attention. “What is in the sweet tea?”
She looked at me in bewilderment with eyes that didn’t blink. “Well, there’s tea and sugar and ice in that.”
“It’s not a cocktail?” I didn’t understand this sweet tea thing at all.
“There’s no alcohol in it. But it’s really good,” she said. “It’s a southern specialty. In Texas and most of the south, you’ll find it in just about every home, restaurant, cafe, and pretty much anywhere you can get food.”
“Well, I’d like to give it a try, then. And for food, I’ll have the lobster with zucchini and mashed potatoes.”
I zoned out as the others made their orders, staring a hole into Warner’s back, hoping he’d turn and see me. Not that I knew what I would do if he did. But I just wanted him to show me some attention, the way he’d done when I first arrived in the lobby that morning. His eyes had been glued to mine then.
Even though the company was nice and the food was too, I found myself a bit on the absentminded side as I kept stealing glances at Warner. Once we’d all finished our meals and everyone got up to leave, I bid my companions good night and made my way to the bar in the back of the room.
Taking the seat at the opposite end of the bar from Warner, I pretended not to notice him. “I’d like to try your best Texas cocktail, please. What do you recommend?”
“You want sweet or bitter?” the bartender asked.
“Sweet.”
“How about the Texas buck? It’s got whiskey, honey, and ginger beer with a candied ginger garnish.”
“Sounds good. I’ll give that a try.”
“It is good.” Warner slid onto the stool next to mine. “Did you enjoy dinner?”
“I did.”And I’m enjoying you finally talking to me even more.
“You’ll have to forgive me for not coming to say hello. I didn’t want to interrupt.”
“Forgiven.” I took the drink the bartender placed in front of me and took a sip, feeling much better now that I had Warner’s attention. “This is amazing.”
“Thanks,” the bartender said before he left us, busying himself with other drink orders.
“So, Ireland,” Warner said. “What’s it like to live there?”
“That’s a broad question and one that can’t be answered in a line or two.” I took another sip. “It feels sort of small sometimes—especially in our town. I inherited my grandparent’s cottage two years ago, which is a nice, tiny place. It’s so tiny that I find it hard to believe they raised five children there, especially with only two bedrooms and one bathroom. But they did.”
