Page 11 of All's Fair in Love and Blood - A Romantic Comedy Novel

His smile said he knew how he affected me. “By the way, red looks great on you. See you tonight.” He left without another word.

I stared at the door, hardly believing what had just taken place. Was I imagining things? Or did I have a date? No. I didn’t think so either.

Dinner by the Numbers

We were seated at a quiet table on a hotel’s restaurant roof, located in one of Atlanta’s historic neighborhoods. The strange rooftop restaurant and bar had artificial turf flooring and street carts that sold hot dogs and hamburgers. It felt almost like we were at someone’s backyard barbecue, though no one I knew had views like this. You could almost see the entire Atlanta skyline from up here. I kept looking around at our surroundings. It was amazing and kept me from looking at Kane.

“I make you nervous?” Kane guessed.

I slowly turned my head his way. When I faced him, I was met with a thoughtful stare and warm eyes that looked like liquid chocolate in the evening sun. He had changed into jeans and a tight black T-shirt. It suited him. Part of me felt an odd comfort around him, although most of me felt on edge. “I don’t understand why you want to spend time with me. Obviously, it’s not a big brother thing for you. Though you are the oldest of my father’s stepchildren, so congratulations,” I rambled.

He narrowed his eyes, confused. “Why wouldn’t I want to spend time with you?”

I reached for the tiny drink menu on the table and fiddled with it nervously. “Well, look at me. I doubt I’m the kind of woman you usually spend time with.”

“You’re right,” he was quick to reply.

I dropped the menu on the floor. I would like to say that didn’t sting, but it did, even though I knew it to be true.

He was quick to lean down, retrieve the menu, and hand it back. Yet he didn’t let go when I reached for it.

“Scarlett, do you know the first thing I noticed about you?”

I shook my head.

“When you arrived at the office two weeks ago, I expected you to behave like your father’s stepchildren who work for him—entitled, rude, and lazy, if I can be candid. But you walked in and greeted your father’s secretary with a hug, then handed him a box of his favorite candy—chocolate-covered toffee, if I remember right.”

“Yes. There’s a place near Samford that makes it. I always try to remember to get him a box before I come home.” I also knew which stepsiblings he spoke of, Tyler and Danielle. Siblings from stepmomma number five, aka Black Widow. One worked in accounting, the other in HR.

“That’s very thoughtful of you. In fact, I’ve noticed how thoughtful you are to everyone at the office, even though you’re the only other person there who bears the Armstrong name.”

“It’s only a name.”

“Not in that office it’s not. And you know that. You’ve also been more than gracious to my mother and sister when they’ve done nothing to deserve it. Something I’m sorry for.”

Now I got it. “Is that why you asked me to dinner? To make up for their behavior?”

He let go of the menu and leaned back in his chair. “I asked you to dinner because I’d like to get to know you better.”

I felt a rush of blood to my cheeks.

“You don’t believe me, do you?”

“Honestly, no.”

“Why?”

I pointed at him and spluttered. “Well, look at you, and look at me.”

A smile danced in his eyes. “What are you getting at?”

“You know.” I was getting frustrated.

“Please, enlighten me.” He was amused.

“I can’t believe you’re going to make me say it.” I was on the verge of tears. “You’re beautiful and debonair, and I’m plain and awkward,” I choked out.

His eyes widened before he reached for my hand. “Scarlett, I didn’t mean to upset you.”

I stared at our hands. A searing sensation coursed through me. It was raw and unfiltered—something I’d never experienced before, yet it seemed so familiar. He seemed familiar. Weird.

I stifled my tears. “It’s fine.”

“No. It’s not. I don’t think you see yourself very clearly.” He brushed his thumb across my hand, leaving sparking embers before releasing it. My hand instantly felt cold and empty.

“I’ve heard that a lot today.” I thought back to Naomi’s pep talk during lunch.

“Well, whoever else is telling you that is a genius and correct. There is nothing plain about you. And your awkwardness is charming.” He chuckled.

“Um, thanks.” I wasn’t sure what to say. “Maybe we should eat.” Food was always a good go-to.

“Another thing I like about you. You’re real and you eat.”

“I’ll try not to get any crumbs down my bra tonight,” I teased. “This dress doesn’t unzip.”

“I would figure out a way to come to your aid if you needed me to.” He didn’t sound like he was teasing at all.

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