Page 22 of You Are Enough

She yanked her hand from his grip. “Stand up. You’re not helping your asshole status.”

He tilted his head. “Interesting choice of words. But you didn’t say anything about the self-absorbed part. Maybe you realized I’m not.”

“Oh, no. You are totally self-absorbed. There’s just nothing you can do about that.” She made sure to inflict some attitude into her words and tapped into the bitchy side she kept hidden most of the time. “What you consider sweet and endearing I’m sure has worked to get into many girls’ pants over the years, but this girl will not be one of them.”

Again, that deep throaty laugh rumbled from Adler’s chest as he rose to his feet, and heat rose from her groin. She grabbed a napkin and pretended to wipe her mouth to hide the flush which had now spread to her cheeks. By the time he sat back across from her, she had control of herself and shot daggers from her eyes toward him.

He smiled as he picked up another half of a sandwich. “I promise, I’m not here to get into anything of yours but your heart. Right now, though, you’re a challenge, and I’m looking forward to getting you to see that not all rich guys are egotistical assholes.”

Her heart skipped a beat.He wants to get into my heart? What?“Seriously?” She was finished with this conversation and this dinner date. She crumpled up her paper. “How can you go from . . .” She waved her hands in the air, flustered. “Lots of girls, Desiree…to me? It doesn’t make any sense.”

He took a bite of his sandwich. She watched him chew his food, and her heart beat wildly.

Finally, he smiled, a damn sexy smile which started a swarm of butterflies to take up residence in her stomach. She really hated butterflies.

“Leila, I can’t explain it, but I like you. When we were dancing something clicked and . . .” He shrugged. “That night, I told Desiree I wasn’t interested in her, and that was that.”

She sat drinking her water and watching the town come to life as the white lights hanging in the trees turned on and cast a soft glow on the paths. His words hung in the space between them. She didn’t know how to respond, so she stood and started picking up their trash and placed the sandwiches they had left back in the brown bag. “Look, this has been nice, but I really need to go.”

“Fine.” Adler wiped his hands on a napkin and stood also, taking a quick drink of his water. “I’m glad you took the time to have dinner with me. I hope you realized I’m not the jerk you think I am.”

This is crazy. She walked the few steps to the trash can, then came back to the table and stood behind Skylar’s stroller. “Look, I appreciate dinner and everything you said, but I’m not interested in a relationship. I only have time for Skylar and work.” She kicked off the brakes, and they walked toward her car. It was then she noticed his motorcycle parked next to her.

“I understand. Thank you for being so honest.” He waited as she put Skylar in her car seat and folded the stroller. He then opened her car door.

She shot him a look.

“Sorry. My dad taught me to be a gentleman.”

This made her laugh. “A gentleman? Really?”

He gave her one of his winning smiles. “Think what you want. I’ll get you to go out with me again. I promise.”

“Don’t get your hopes up,” she answered as she got into her car. “I wouldn’t want to destroy that ego any more than I already have.”

“Challenge accepted.” He winked as he closed her door and hopped on his bike.

Chapter 10

“Okay, we need to form committees to focus on different aspects of the fundraiser.” Deloris Green stood in front of the small group of twenty who were assembled at the pregnancy center. “Elizabeth is going to be the emcee for the night, with Jessica organizing the silent auction. Jessica?”

Jessica stood and smiled. “I’d love some volunteers to help me go around to all the different businesses asking for donations. The more items we have, the better. I already have a donation of a cruise for two from Planning Vacations.We will use that for our auction. But if businesses can donate baskets, items, and gift certificates, that would work great for the silent auction. So, when we’re done, anyone who wants to be on my list to meet Saturday, please let me know.”

“Thanks Jess,” said Elizabeth as she stood. “Leila, would you be willing to work with the food trucks and setting up the eating area? The experience you have setting up venues with Desireewill come in handy. We’ll need a large tent for the silent auction and the live auction. If we have it under a tent, it will be a focus of the night.”

Leila shrugged. “Sure. I’d love to help.”

“Great. I’ll get you the address and phone number so you can go talk with the tent company.”

Leila nodded.

More jobs were given out, and the meeting came to an end with groups splitting off to discuss various aspects of the night.

“Leila.”

Leila looked up as Stacey came over to her. “Hi, Stacey. Were you here the entire time?”

“No.” Stacey fell into the chair next to the one Leila just got out of. “I just got off work and rushed over. Elizabeth told me she was going to ask you to help with the caterer and setup.”

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