Page 7 of Timeless Valentine

"Yeah. Thanks. I'll see you soon."

As I dash inside, my lips are still tingling.

I've devoted my entire life to being self-sufficient, so I'll never have to depend on anyone. Depending on men certainly hasn't worked out well for my mother, and my brother is further proof that men are unreliable. Yet Leo is so sweet, so charming, so caring. He makes me feel I can take a chance.

It is completely illogical to feel so much for a man I've just met, even if he does make my heart pound like thunder in a summer storm.

But there you are.

4

LEO

I’m beginning to wonder if Grace will be able to meet me for lunch when I get her text just past eleven.

Grace

My lunch break is at 12:15, but I only have half an hour.

No problem. I'll meet you in the lobby of your building.

Great. Thanks!

I'm normally a fairly hard worker, and I zip through my morning appointments and research to make sure I have time to plan a charming lunch. Thank goodness for catering services.

I arrive in Grace's lobby just a minute before she exits the elevator, smiling radiantly as she walks toward me. "Hi."

She notices that I don't have any lunch bags with me. "There are two sandwich shops in the next building that are usually pretty quick."

Taking her hand, I lead her out the back entrance of the lobby. "Already taken care of."

The small courtyard has benches and a few tables where office workers can eat and get some fresh air. In the corner under a tree is a thick red picnic blanket, with a large wicker basket.

A young lady with choppy orange hair springs to attention as we approach. "Mr. Rose, your lunch is ready."

Grace's eyes are huge as I help her sit on a fluffy cream pillow. I sit on the blanket beside her as the woman serves us sparkling virgin Mojitos.

"I grow my own chocolate mint for those, so they might be a bit sweeter than you're used to," she says with a grin. After laying out the sandwiches, she backs away. "The desserts are still in the basket, and I'll be back in a while to clean up. Enjoy."

"I can't believe you did this," Grace says as we clink glasses.

"I've never had an urban picnic. So thank you for providing me with a great excuse to fix that." The speckled sunlight dances along her cheeks as she smiles.

We sip our drinks, then set them on a wooden tray as we dig into the sandwiches. "It's all incredible," she murmurs.

"If you like this caterer, I'll be sure to use her again for our future lunch dates." I raise an eyebrow suggestively.

Grace's hand flutters up to cover her mouth as she laughs. "You're a handful, aren't you?"

"Guilty."

After wiping my hands on the linen napkin, I reach out to thread our fingers together. "Grace, I already have intense feelings for you. I know that you're busy, and I understand that you put work first. But I also know that I can make your life a little easier, if you'll let me."

Something in her eyes softens. She wants to believe me, and yet…

"The problem with relying on someone's help is that you fall apart if it's suddenly gone," she whispers.

"Okay. Let's think about this." Taking our hands together, I drum both of our fingers on the wooden tray until she laughs.

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