T
wo short e-mails, four days and a phone call later, Ana's eyes flitted between the occupied tables at the tapas restaurant, her watch and the sympathetic expression on the hostess's face.
She swept the errant strands annoying her right shoulder back into the twist above her nape. Great. Just great. He'd either left or—
"You're late."
Ana turned around, startled by the stern, deep timbre, relieved he was here. There he stood, all annoyed in a smoky grey business suit—two buttons on his white shirt undone, no tie—and insanely sexy.
"I was outside taking a call and saw you when you came in."
I'm sorry." These days, it felt like she was perpetually late and apologizing for it. "I got lost on the way here."
Sean's brow rose.
"I'm kind of new in town and still getting my bearings."
He considered her for a moment; his eyes warmed with approval of her wrap dress.
"It's a good thing red's my favorite color. I'll let it slide this time."
And just like that, the day's hiccups suddenly started to fade.
"Today must be my lucky day then."
The look on his face was skeptical, teasing.
"We'll see about that," he tossed back and gestured for her to follow the hostess.
"Thank you."
She was pleasantly surprised when he slid back the chair for her before easing into his own across from her.
"So what's new with you?"
"Furniture. Or the lack of it, I should say. Mine's in a warehouse, instead of on a truck because of some mix up with the delivery date." He winced sympathetically. "I get a refund and I get to camp indoors for a while longer."
"What made you decide to move here?"
Ana decided to go with the simplified version of things.
"I was born here actually and my mom and I moved shortly after my parents split up. I used to visit my dad during holidays."
Though that all changed after he married Gwen and they had kids of their own. The gaps between phone calls increased, while the number of cards and e-mails thinned out. Visits got postponed as "next time" and "soon" gradually stretched larger spans of time.
Mom had repeatedly told her that the demands of Dad's coaching job were the reason for their own divorce, that he probably was spending most of his time with his football players than with her stepmother and siblings. Though there was truth to Mom's assurances, Ana had often wondered at the time, if Mom was just sparing her feelings; if Dad secretly felt differently about Sharon and Jack since they weren't adopted. But that was then...
"Moving back here has been in the back of my mind for a long time—it's the place that feels most like home to me for some reason, so here I am. What about you?"
"Born and raised here. Went to college in Boston and ended up in New York afterwards. I loved every minute of it." The wistful note in his voice piqued her curiosity about his adventures in the Big Apple, no doubt there were many. "But after a few years, I just couldn't do it anymore. I'm a California boy at heart."
"Is your family still here?"
Sean nodded, his eyes softened at the question. That was the moment she noticed just how vivid a blue his eyes were, even in the diffused light.
Oh, my.
"My parents and my brother live close by. My sister's in Chicago."
Their server, a cherubic brunette, interrupted to take their drink order. Sean tilted his head to read her nametag.
"Tina," he said as his index scrolled down the menu, then turned it so she could see where his finger had landed, smiling warmly up at her. She leaned closer over him while scribbling in her notepad. "I'll have a glass of the Montecillo...and the lady will have?"
"Mineral water—Pellegrino is fine," Ana added, anticipating the girl's next question. Sean sent her a look. "I haven't had anything since breakfast so alcohol's not a great idea," she explained before their waitress took off. His expression turned quizzical, concerned even. "It's been a crazy day—I enjoy food too much to starve myself."
Girl, you're starting to babble.
"It works for you."
"Thank you."
The compliment warmed her, maybe too much because she found herself avoiding his gaze, feeling very much aware that she was a woman, that he was a man and that
this
was a date. One with the potential to be good.
Ok, it's been a while, that's why you're feeling silly and self-conscious. Pull it together, you know how it goes.
"I bet you're the youngest," she interjected, before the silence stretched for too long.
"Yes," he frowned briefly before connecting to their earlier conversation. "How'd you guess?"
Ana waited as Tina set down their drinks and exchanged a smile with Sean before she promised them more time to look over the menu. "The youngest child's usually the charmer of the bunch. And it looks like you've made Tina's day."
"Jealous, much?"
Ana chuckled, the sound matched his playful taunt.
"I'm not invested enough to be jealous." His reaction was immensely satisfying. "And even when I am, it's not my style. Just making an observation."
"So you think I'm charming, huh?"
His blue eyes danced with mirth, his good humor infectious. Ana had to make a concerted effort not to laugh while her mouth was full of mineral water. She cleared her throat, making sure it was safe to speak. "I'm going to pass on an answer; your confidence is high enough as it is!"
