Page 45 of Prince of Darkness

“Well, no. That’s crazy.”

“See. Then you’ll know he’s crazy and you get the hell out of Dodge.” She gives a firm nod as if that is science and can’t be argued. I’m not sure I can argue her point right now, so I let it go.

“He paid over a million dollars to get me to have coffee with him. We’ve more than passed the crazy line.” I pause as we round the corner to the coffee shop, suddenly feeling nervous.

“Why’d we stop walking?” she asks, looking around.

“I just got nervous.” I wring my hands. My last date didn't go so well. I kind of hope this one turns out like that one and he doesn't show. I doubt that though. He’s worked hard to get me to agree to a date. That is the part of this that has me so nervous. Maxwell Kennedy was adamant about this date happening. I should honestly be really creeped out by it but a small part of me is flattered. It didn’t help that I couldn’t stop thinking about him since I first heard his voice.

“He said he’d have flowers?” Amelia confirms.

“Yeah, but he didn't say what kind.”

“I don’t think people are just carrying around flowers at coffee shops.”

“True.” I bite my lip. This isn't helping.

“Stay put. I’m going to take a peek.” Before I can respond she darts one block down and looks into the front window of the coffee shop. She’s not the most subtle and I’d laugh at her pushing her face against the glass if I wasn't so nervous. Whatever she sees surprises her. She turns, stomping back to me. “That motherfucker.”

“What the hell?” I start to panic. What does she see? “I’m so stupid.” She face palms herself. “Kim is Kimmy’s Lingerie. I knew she started a company but I didn't know it was off and running or that she named it that.” I have no idea what she is talking about. “Maxwell Kennedy; Max for short. He’s her brother.”

She pulls out her phone as things slowly start to click together for me. Maxwell Kennedy is the man I’m meeting today. The one who owed the giant debt. “Wait. The guy who stood me up is the same guy who I’m meeting at the coffee shop? Am I putting that together right?” I can’t believe it as it all comes together for me.

“Yep.” Her fingers move across her phone quickly and I know she’s texting Kim now.

“This is weird and confusing. How the hell did we miss this?” I say while trying to catch my breath. Holy crap. I get my nerves under control and then the anger starts to seep in. Little by little it blooms inside of me.

“She’s not responding. She must be busy. I’m sorry. I don’t know how I didn’t put it all together.” Amelia sighs. “What do we do now?”

“We go and get my hot chocolate?” I suggest. What has really changed? He’s a big jerk. I’ll suffer through the date and get my commission. I won’t feel so guilty about it now. I start walking toward the coffee shop. Amelia’s hot on my heels as I pull the door open. My eyes go straight for the man that has a bunch of flowers lying on the table. His dark green gaze lands on me. For a moment I’m frozen by his stare and something whirls inside of me, warming me from the inside out.

“Don’t forget the ear thing.” Amelia nudges me, bringing me back to reality. Max stands as I approach the table. Amelia walks right past him. He doesn't even look her way so he doesn't see her give him the finger. I smile at her action but I think this jerk assumes I’m smiling at him.

“Mia.” It’s not a question. Somehow he knows it’s me. An invisible string pulls me toward him. Some of my anger starts to dissipate.

“Hi,” I say as he pulls out my chair. All the witty comments I was going to say have fled my mind.

“I got you a hot chocolate. Extra marshmallows.”

“Thanks.” I give him a soft smile as I sit down. I was never great at staying angry. He doesn't take the seat across from me where he’d been sitting before. Instead he sits in the one right next to me. He’s in a pair of blue jeans and a shirt that reads Harvard across the chest and I have no doubt it’s likely where he went to school. Still, he’s not what I thought Kim’s brother would look like. I knew he’d be handsome but this is altogether something else. “So now you want to get me a drink. You could have gotten me one the other night but you decided to stand me up.” Finally my brain starts to fire correctly.

“I would never stand you up.” He reaches, running his finger along my jaw. “I knew you’d be pretty but I had no idea you’d be this beautiful.”

I lean into his touch. No one has ever called me beautiful before. Then I remember he stood me up. I smack his hand. “You stood me up then sent a necklace as an ‘I’m sorry.’ Is that how you treat people?”

“Get ’em,” Amelia shouts from across the coffee shop. Everyone turns to look her way. Even Max does for a second.

“Is that Amelia Montclair?” he asks me. “Oh shit.” He leans back in his chair. “Angel, I didn't know it was you. I didn't go on that date because of you.” He puts it together.

“Liar.” Why would he not go on a date because of me?

“Okay, it’s partly a lie. I never intended to go on the date. I agreed so my sister would leave me alone but after we spoke that first day I knew there was only one woman that I wanted to go on a date with.” His eyes go soft as he watches me. I don’t know how he does it but he looks at me like I’m the most perfect creature he’s ever seen. One would almost think he loves me if you walked by and saw the way he looks at me.

“Oh.” I melt at his words. He didn't want to go on a date with what he thought was another woman after only talking to me. “You can touch my cheek again.” He quirks a smile. “I can’t believe I just said that.” My face heats and I know that I’m turning cherry red.

He lifts his hand to stroke my cheek. I lean into his touch. “We should start over?” I suggest.

“Over? No, angel. We’re just getting started.”

---