Page 13 of Do Me
“My undergraduate degree is in computer engineering and I’ve worked as one in the past. I also have an MBA in information systems. Technically, I’m a computer network architect. Instead of installing the system, I’ll be building it.” Early in his IT career, his focus had been more on implementing and troubleshooting existing networks, but he found he enjoyed actually designing the networks and constructing roadmaps to determine what hardware and software would be used.
Londyn leaned forward. “I think that is so cool. I can’t even begin to understand anything outside ofusingthe computer, and even that is a problem sometimes,” she added with a chuckle.
Braxton smiled. He’d heard that often. “I could say the same for your career. I’m not sure I could sit and listen to people’s issues all day. How do you do it?”
“I like helping people, and I guess you can say I probably honed my skills in high school. My friends always came to me for advice, and I figured if I was going to be doling out all this good counsel, I might as well get paid for it.”
He laughed. “Good point. I can tell you’re very good at what you do.” During the meeting, while the other doctor had been focused on the system, itself, her concern had been for the safety of her patients’ information.
“I hope so.”
There it was again, that hint of sadness he’d noticed before. He didn’t want to ruin the evening, so he refrained from asking about it. Besides, they didn’t know each other well enough for her to confide in him. The conversation tapered off as they finished eating.
Londyn dabbed the napkin to the corners of her mouth. “That was so good. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Would you like anything else?”
“No, thank you. I need to leave room for the dessert I made for us.”
He lifted a brow. “You made dessert?”
“Yes,” she said, her brown and green flecked eyes shimmering. “I guess I should’ve asked what you like first, but I made brownies.”
A smile made its way across his face. “Brownies are one of my favorite desserts. Along with peach cobbler, apple pie, pound cake, chocolate chip cookies…” He waved a hand. “You get the picture.”
Leaning back against the booth, she laughed. “Yeah, I get it. You like dessert.” She propped her elbows on the table, braced her chin on her hands and whispered conspiratorially, “I’ll let you in on a little secret.” She made a show of looking around. “So do I. They’re my weakness, especially brownies topped with ice cream and a swirl of chocolate syrup.” Londyn placed her hand over her heart and pretended to swoon.
Laughter poured out of Braxton. He liked this woman. “Far be it from me to keep a woman from her prized dessert.” He signaled a waiter, paid the bill and drove back to her place.
He realized two things when he entered her condo: her office style matched her home, and she liked purple. The varying shades of the color had been incorporated into the furnishings and accents, and provided a warm, homey feeling. “I like your home. How many bedrooms?” The living room and den area were connected by a partial wall that held an electric fireplace. Another smaller room behind the den had been set up as an office space.
“Thanks. Just one. Less to clean. But I love living on the top floor because of the privacy and I don’t have to worry about my neighbors stomping above my head.” Londyn hung her coat in the closet, reached for his and did the same. “Have a seat, and I’ll bring the brownies out.”
“How about I help you?” Once again, she gave him a strange look. “Is there something wrong? That’s the second time you’ve given me that look.” An embarrassed expression crossed her face. She disappeared around a corner and into the kitchen. Braxton shoved his hands in his pockets and followed. “If I’ve done anything to make you uncomfortable, I apologize.”
She paused in removing the clear plastic wrap from the glass dish holding the brownies. “You haven’t done anything. I guess you caught me off guard with your offer. Not many men would, and especially on a first date. Just like when you invited me to buy an extra entrée if I wanted when that bill was already going to be expensive.” She shrugged. “You’re different.”
What kind of men has she been dating?“I’m just who I am, Londyn.” Braxton closed the distance between them and tilted her chin. “If I date a woman, she can expect to be treated special.” He felt the slight tremor in her body and fought the overwhelming desire to wrap his arms around her. Stepping back, he pointed to the dish. “I can say the same about you. I’ve never had a woman bake dessert on a first date. Actually, it’s never happened and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.” For a few charged seconds, neither of them moved.
Londyn cleared her throat and set out bowls and spoons. “Don’t thank me until you taste them. You have two choices for ice cream—vanilla or cookies and cream.”
“I’ll take the cookies and cream. Might as well get my full chocolate fix.”
“A man after my own heart,” she said, taking the container out of the freezer.
If things worked out as he hoped, she just might be that woman. While she cut and placed a warmed brownie in each bowl, he dished the ice cream, then drizzled the chocolate syrup on top.
She grabbed the bottle and added enough to cover her ice cream completely. “Don’t be stingy.”
Laughing, he carried the bowls to the dining room table while she returned everything to its place. Braxton removed his tie and stuck it in his pocket, then unbuttoned the first two buttons on his shirt. He seated her first, then took his own. “Okay. The test.” He dug below the mounds of ice cream and scooped up the brownie. The rich, moist treat tasted so good he groaned. “A plus, Dr. Grant.”
“Why thank you, Mr. Harper.”
Smiling, they enjoyed the decadent dessert while laughing about their favorite foods to cook. While she preferred baking, he enjoyed preparing main courses.
“I can bake anything from breads and cakes to pies and everything in between. But ask me to cook chicken, and you’re going to get it either baked or fried. The end. My steaks end up being either under or overcooked. The only thing I can do reasonably well is seafood. Wait, let me rephrase that…I can do shrimp and bake or broil salmon.”
She had him at the mention of bread. In his mind, there was nothing like freshly baked bread in any form. He propped his forearm on the table. “I have a proposal for you.”
