Heart to Heart

by Meline Nadeau

  But why was he here?

  He stopped in front of her. “Hello, Julie. Mind if I sit for a moment?”

  The small park bench was built for two, but having Lorcan so close would send her senses on sensual overload. He smiled, and her insides melted. Did he have any idea the power he held over people when he did that? His eyes crinkled adorably. Julie shoved her half-eaten bunny food in her lunch bag and stood. “I was going for a walk actually ... ”

  “I’ll come with you, if you don’t mind.”

  What could she say without sounding like a rude bitch? She could tell him to stay the hell away from her, but curiosity had her wondering why he’d sought her out. So she nodded, and they soon fell into step as Lorcan shortened his stride to fit hers.

  “I was on my way to the club, thought I’d swing by. Veronica told me you were in the park. I admit two rejections in one night stung.”

  Julie snorted. “Not used to it, I’ll bet.”

  Lorcan chuckled. “You’re the first.”

  Somehow, she had no problem believing him. “Why are you here?”

  “Not a stalker, I swear. I thought I would try one more time. Dinner? This Saturday night?”

  Julie stopped walking and turned to face him. “Why?”

  “Come to dinner with me and find out.”

  He was as tempting as that deep-fried, sinful appetizer platter at the pub. If she was going to indulge in something forbidden, why not a beyond-handsome man? It was only dinner. Besides, she wanted to know why he insisted on this “date.” She’d refused at first because, hell, she didn’t want to be hurt. Her self-protection mechanism clicked into place out of habit more than anything else. Time for a dose of ice-cold reality. Julie had always been unfailingly honest—especially with herself. She was not the sort of woman to turn a man’s head at first glance, especially not one as stunning as Lorcan Byrne.

  She sized him up for a long moment, then nodded. “Sure. Dinner.”

  “Brilliant! I’ll pick you up at the bakery when it closes. Six o’clock on Saturday, right?”

  “Right.”

  He gave her that solar-heating grin, a brief wave, then turned and sauntered away.

  What in hell had she agreed to?