The Spark (Carolina Connections Book 2)

by Sylvie Stewart

  “Sounds terrific,” said Fiona, and I didn’t dare look at her either. I was a fifty-two-year-old woman, and here I was making an idiot of myself over a man who probably wouldn’t even give me another thought after this meeting. Ridiculous. “You have the list of options I gave you before, plus I’ve come up with some new items, including a pancetta and mushroom phyllo cup you have to try to believe! And I’ll get on the phone with Flynn from the brewery and have him select maybe four beers? In addition to assorted non-alcoholic choices, of course.”

  David nodded. “Four should be good. And it’s a yes on the pancetta and mushroom thingy.”

  Fiona giggled. “Thingy? I thought you were supposed to be all smart and sophisticated, Mister Advertising Genius.” I envied Fiona’s ease with people.

  “What can I say? I enjoy the simple things in life.” His gaze drifted to me once more, and I didn’t know if I should feel offended or flattered. Or just plain flustered, because that’s what my body chose to go with.

  I cleared my throat. “Do you need recommendations for decorating the venue? I’m afraid our skills are rooted in the kitchen, although Fiona could probably dream something up if she needed to.” I smiled at her.

  David chortled. “That won’t be necessary. This place is crawling with creative types so I’m handing the decorating off to the venue manager and some of my team. They told me I had to take care of the food, though, since I’m always complaining I’m hungry.”

  “Well we can certainly fix that,” I reassured, allowing myself to relax a bit.

  We continued to iron out the menu and finalize numbers as we chatted and tried not to let our stomachs growl at Fiona’s descriptions of the food. David was easy-going and witty, and he held himself with a combination of self-assurance and casual grace. I caught him looking at me a few more times throughout the meeting but (mostly) managed to brush it off and focus on the task at hand. But each time I looked at his face, a corner of his mouth hitched and he almost appeared as if he might laugh. Either the man was perpetually amused, or just in a really good mood this morning.

  When it was time to wrap things up, we all shook hands and David walked us out to the sidewalk. I was feeling good about the event, despite my earlier misgivings. We could do this, I was certain.

  “It was nice to see you again, Fiona,” David nodded to my beaming partner before turning to me. “And it was an absolute pleasure to meet you, Kelly. I look forward to seeing you again.”

  Just then, Fiona let out a loud gasp. We both turned to her as she proceeded to engage in the worst acting job in the history of big giant fakers. Her phone was in one hand, while the other covered her open mouth. “Darn it all! I’m late for another meeting!” Her adorable brow furrowed and I thought she might actually stomp her foot and say “shucks.” But before David or I could utter a word, she scampered away on her four-inch stilettos, leaving us standing alone on the sidewalk. Well, this was more than a little awkward.

  I attempted a smile and stole a glance at David, unsure what to say. I hadn’t talked to a man I was attracted to in … I don’t even know how long.

  Before I could do anything stupid, David chuckled and shook his head. “She doesn’t have a meeting, does she?”

  When I looked back he was beaming at me, both dimples at the ready. My smile grew. “Um. No. I’m pretty sure if she’s late for anything, it’s a hair appointment. But it should probably be an acting lesson. The girl has no appreciation for subtlety.”

  That made David laugh again, and I felt it in my belly and my chest this time.

  “I’d hate for her hard work to be wasted. I should at least ask you to dinner, don’t you think?”

  I opened my mouth but nothing came out. Dinner? As in a date? I didn’t date. I was a mom and a waitress and now a business partner. Dating was for people Fiona and Mark’s age. Right?

  David’s face fell. “I’m sorry. I didn’t see a ring, so I assumed you were single.”

  “I am!” Wow, that was loud.

  His smile returned. “Great. Would you like to go to dinner with me sometime, Kelly?”

  I didn’t know what to say. Damn that girl for running away. I needed her to fix this for me! It wasn’t as if I could tell David that I hadn’t been on a date in over thirty years. That made me … pathetic? Crazy? Desperate? Hmm. Desperate it was.

  “Okay.” Oh my lord. I bit my lip and watched his dimples flash.

  “Terrific. How about this weekend? Saturday?”

  What had I gotten myself into? And why was my heart beating so fast?

  “Okay.” That appeared to be the only word left in my vocabulary. I clutched my empty mug and my purse to keep my hands occupied.

  “I’ll call you, okay?” He put a hand on my arm and that warmth began to spread again.

  Predictably, my response was, “Okay.”

  David chuckled and turned to go back into his building. I turned toward the parking lot and my car, my eyes practically bugging out of my head since I couldn’t exactly jump up and down … or faint. My feet moved without me noticing, and when I was a few yards away, I heard David’s voice again.

  “Hey, Kelly!”

  I schooled my features and turned, attempting casual and most likely falling more to the side of crazy.

  “I forgot to tell you. I like your coffee mug. I’ll call you tonight!” The door closed behind him before I could react. Perhaps I wasn’t the crazy one after all.

  My eyes fell to the mug I’d been carting around all morning. Then the words printed on its side registered for the first time. “Yes, there’s vodka in here. Don’t judge me.”

  I was going to kill Jake.

  Or maybe not.

  Because I had a date.

  Ready for more of the Carolina Connections crew? Get your copy of The Lucky One and find out what happens with Jake and Bailey!

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