by Cindi Madsen
My throat went dry, and with him staring at me like that, I got a little light-headed, too. “Yeah, well, the dress and the heels, they kind of put it all in perspective.”
“So did you need something?” Jake asked. “I saw you near the office. Complaints? Compliments? Just so you know, we prefer compliments. And I’ll remind you that I did help you out with your shoe problem. Although with the flooring issue, that’s probably going to be a wash. We’ll definitely get it looked at, though.”
It took me a moment to shift gears. Was he saying…? I looked him over again. All the waiters wore white shirts and black slacks. Jake had on a red button-down shirt with a black tie and nice black slacks. In fact, we matched.
“You work here?” I asked.
“I do a little of this, a little of that.” Jake scooted to the side as Mindy led an older couple down the walkway, bringing him even closer to me. I caught a whiff of his musky, masculine-smelling cologne. “Actually, I manage and own the place. Well, my buddy and I do.”
That pulled me out of my he-looks-and-smells-amazing daze. Sure you do, you big fat liar. “Funny, I’ve never seen you here before.”
“Oh, do you come here often?”
I narrowed my eyes at him.
“It’s not a line,” he said. “Unless it worked, then I’ll go with it.”
“You know, I’ve got to get back to my friend. Thanks for the help with the shoe and everything.” I turned to walk away.
“Wait.”
I glanced back at him.
He leveled those dangerous blue eyes on me. “Could I take you to dinner sometime?”
I motioned around. “Like here? In this lovely restaurant you own?”
“Wherever you want,” Jake said. “It doesn’t have to be here.”
“I’m going to have to pass. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve really got to get back.” Before he could say anything else, I turned and walked away from the best-looking guy that had ever hit on me.
It’s such a shame he’s a liar. Otherwise, I might’ve been tempted. And I haven’t been tempted in a long time.
About the Author
Cindi Madsen sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting, revising, and falling in love with her characters. Sometimes it makes her a crazy person. Without it, she’d be even crazier. She has way too many shoes, but can always find a reason to buy a new pretty pair, especially if they’re sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music, dancing, and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband and three children. She is also the author of the young adult novel All the Broken Pieces, and the upcoming women’s fiction novel Cinderella Screwed Me Over.
You can find Cindi at cindimadsen.com
Follow her on twitter @cindimadsen
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