A Date With Fortune

by Susan Crosby

  The restaurant itself was understated and elegant, their table situated in a heated patio that was surrounded by a grove of trees. Felicity looked around, dazzled by it all and openly pleased. When she looked at Michael, he smiled. She liked his smile.

  “I take it the place meets your approval,” he said.

  “It’s beautiful.”

  “I didn’t order your main course, but I did arrange for appetizers and champagne,” he said as a waiter approached. “I hope that’s all right with you.”

  A flurry of activity ensued, a well-practiced dance of host, server and other staff, quiet and efficient. Champagne was poured, and a plate with four parmesan-crusted colossal shrimp was set before them, along with a spicy marinara dipping sauce.

  Michael lifted his champagne flute to her, waiting for her to touch glasses. “To the lovely confectioner,” he said, taking a sip, watching her over the rim. He appreciated her enthusiasm, the way she didn’t attempt to hide her excitement at the plans he’d made. He’d been dating too many jaded women, he decided. Not that he wasn’t jaded himself. He was. And it wasn’t a matter of having forgotten what it was like to be with someone who was so comfortable in her own skin. He hadn’t forgotten, because he’d rarely been in that position, having generally dated women who were the opposite of Felicity in personality.

  It made him relax with her in a way he couldn’t remember relaxing before.

  They talked and ate and drank. She ordered chicken-fried Cornish game hen served with a green chili cornbread stuffing and topped with a Southwestern cream sauce. He ordered beef tenderloin with a creamy garlic and mushroom sauce, with garlic mashed potatoes and perfectly roasted asparagus. They finished by sharing a slice of German chocolate cake.

  “I wonder what they would call me if I was paying the bill,” she commented as she forked up the crumbs.

  “What do you mean?”

  “You have been called Mr. Fortune at least twenty times tonight. I am referred to as ‘the lady.’ Do you suppose if the bill were coming to me, I would be Ms. Thomas and you would be ‘the gentleman’?”

  He hadn’t noticed. Was that chauvinistic? “I guess that bothered you.”

  “Your reputation—or at least your name—precedes you. I imagine you’re used to being catered to.”

  “Feel free to pay the bill yourself and see what happens.”

  She patted her hips as if looking for something. “Oh, darn. I left my wallet at home.”

  “Then the lady will have to suffer the consequences.”

  If she’d had any food left on her plate, she might have tossed it at him, Michael thought. He liked her sass, liked that she was openly happy about being with him.

  They spent two hours being taken care of. Their conversation wasn’t extraordinary in content, but the usual getting-to-know-you back and forth, and yet attraction crackled and sparked tangibly between them.

  “It’s still early,” he said as they started the drive back to Red Rock. “Would you like to take a longer route home? There’s enough moonlight to see the sights.”

  She turned to him and smiled sweetly. “I would.” She laid her hand on his for a moment as it curled over the gearshift. When she pulled it back, he reached over and wrapped his fingers around hers, resting his hand on her thigh. He felt those muscles tighten, but he didn’t let go.

  Counting on the car’s GPS unit to get him back to Red Rock eventually, Michael just drove. Occasionally she would comment on where they were, but mostly they sat in companionable silence as they drove past farmland and ranchland, big, spacious properties with a house set back among trees, generally, and barns, corrals and other outbuildings mostly hidden, sheltered from wind.

  At one point she said, “This is where your cousin Victoria lives with her husband, Garrett. You should stop by and see them, if you have time. There’s lots going on there. A new house, new buildings for their animal rescue sanctuary. Unless you’re leaving right away?”

  He squeezed her hand. “I’m not.”

  “How long are you staying?” Her voice seemed tight.

  “It depends on the results of a couple of meetings,” he said, knowing he would be dragging out his visit as long as possible, but not knowing how long he could effectively work from Red Rock. “I can’t stay away too long, especially now. We’re in the process of buying out a smaller company.”

  “This is one of the busiest times of the year for me, too.”

  “You sound pretty calm to me.”

  “Lists. Calendars. Schedules. I live, breathe, eat and sleep by them.”

  He wouldn’t have pegged her as an organizer. Obviously there were hidden talents beneath the surface of her bubbly personality.

  “Sarah-Jane mentioned you won some kind of competition?”

  “Last month in Dallas. It was a truffle competition. I took first and third place.”

  “Among how many entries?”

  “You are a businessman,” she said, grinning. “There were more than two contestants.”

  “Three?”

  “Thirty-two.”

  That was impressive. “Congratulations.”

  “Thanks. I was pretty happy. I was given two plaques to put in my shop, and the Dallas Morning News ran an article, as well as the San Antonio Express-News. And our local paper, of course.”

  “I’ll bet your internet sales increased, and that’s why you said before that you have decisions to make about growing your business.”

  “It’s not just individual consumers. The newspaper articles talked about my hotel and spa business, too, which I’ve been slowly growing—pillow mints, things like that. I’ve been comfortable with my little shop, and yet...”

  He gave her a quick glance. There was a wistfulness in her voice. “And yet?”

  “I want to accomplish more, Michael.”

  It was the first time she’d said his name, and he was surprised by how his gut clenched. It seemed...intimate somehow.

  “How many hours do you put in? Could you manage more?”

  “I’m open from eleven in the morning until five-thirty in the evening, Tuesday through Saturday, but that’s just the retail aspect. I also have to make the products.”

  “You’re happy with the work?”

  “Oh, yes. And I’m good at it. I keep experimenting and learning. Every so often I have taste-testing days for the public. Liz thought I was crazy for giving away so much, but I found it led to more sales. Many more.”

  They’d reached downtown Red Rock. He’d ignored the clock, letting their conversation dictate how long they would take. But he saw it was eleven and knew she had to get up early. He pulled into her parking lot, then didn’t make a move to exit the car. “What’s your favorite candy that you make?”

  “Triple chocolate truffle. It’s sinful. I brought you a sample.” She opened her evening bag. Tucked inside was a small box tied with ribbon. “Want to take a bite of sin?” she asked.

  Her tone was flirtatious, not seductive, yet he wanted to take her to his hotel room and really get sinful.

  She didn’t wait for his answer, but pulled off the ribbon and opened the box. One truffle nested there. She brought it up to his mouth. He took a bite—

  She might call it sin, but to him it was heaven. She offered the remaining half. He was tempted, but instead took it from her and held it to her mouth. The feel of her lips touching his fingers aroused him—and frustrated him, too.

  He wasn’t sure what to do about her yet, other than enjoying her company. He’d promised Wyatt he wouldn’t sleep with her, even if she begged....

  “That was amazing,” he said. “The best I’ve ever had.”

  She ran her tongue over a spot of chocolate at the corner of her mouth, catching it. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. I make the same recipe but with cayenne pepper in it. Do you like spicy?”

  “I’m particularly fond of spicy,” he said. He eyed her. She looked right back. “Especially where the flavor doesn’t hit you at first bite. But
when it does, it’s powerful, and then it lingers.”

  Michael wrapped his hand around hers again, emphasizing the point he was making.

  “That’s how I would describe that particular truffle,” she said, rubbing her thumb along his hand.

  “Which one of your candies describes you?”

  A smile tugged slowly at her mouth. “I’m a candy cane.”

  “Only available at Christmas?”

  She threw her head back, laughing. “What you see is what you get. No change of flavor halfway. Consistent.”

  She was obviously too sweet for the likes of him. And yet...he was enjoying her company more than anyone’s he had for a very long time. It was rare to come across someone who wasn’t cynical. Or bored. Boredom was pervasive in his circle, or at least the appearance of boredom, as if showing excitement about anything made you less than cool. He was guilty of it himself.

  He decided to do things differently this time. No kiss goodnight. Well, no big kiss, just something to tease her, make her hungry for more. He hoped to give more—and take more—soon.

  He held her hand as he walked her to her door a few seconds later.

  “Wyatt must’ve left,” she said. “His car isn’t here.”

  “They’re not sleeping together?” That seemed impossible to him.

  “Not every night. Sarah-Jane probably had work to do.”

  At her door, Felicity ran her hands down his lapels, then let them drop away and stared at his chest, worried she was being too bold. She felt him finger her hair, tucking a strand behind her ear. “Would you like to come in?” she asked.

  “It’s late, and we both have to be up early. I had a good time, Felicity.”

  “Me, too.” Kiss me, please kiss me.

  He brushed his lips briefly against hers. “Good night.”

  She’d just begun to enjoy the kiss when he ended it. “Um, thank you for everything, Michael,” she said, trying to find her equilibrium. She managed to unlock the door and go inside, knowing he was waiting until she did so, then she rushed to the window and watched him fade into the night. She ran upstairs, knocked on Sarah-Jane’s door, then went in without waiting to be invited. She jumped on the bed. Sarah-Jane sat straight up, holding her arms out protectively.

  “What the— Felicity! What’s going on? Are you all right? I knew you shouldn’t have gone out with him. What did he do?”

  Felicity took a deep, settling breath. “Sarah-Jane, I have met the man I’m going to marry.”

  “Yeah? A waiter at the restaurant? The valet? The chef?”

  Felicity laughed. “You know who. He’s nothing like you said, nothing like Wyatt told you. He’s a good listener and a true gentleman.”

  Sarah-Jane shook her head. “I was afraid of this.”

  “Be happy for me.” Felicity climbed off the bed, her mood shifting from the high she’d been on. “Don’t I have the same right as you to find the love of my life?”

  “Wyatt wasn’t a player nor was he unyielding,” Sarah-Jane said quietly. “But you made your point. Of course you have the same right. It’s just...”

  “He lives in Atlanta and I live in Red Rock,” Felicity said, finishing the sentence. “He’s a man of the world, and I’m a woman of an everybody-knows-your-business town. I’m a virgin. I would guess he’s not.” She smiled at her friend. “Stranger things have happened.”

  Sarah-Jane hugged her. “I’m sorry. You’re a big girl. You get to make your own decisions.”

  “Thank you. If it goes south, I won’t run to you for comfort.”

  “You will and you should. That’s what best friends are for—truth and comfort.”

  They hugged once more, then Felicity headed for the door.

  “Did he ask you for a second date?” Sarah-Jane asked.

  “No.” She uttered the word lightly, casually, even though she worried that he hadn’t.

  Sarah-Jane didn’t say a word. She didn’t have to. But Felicity wasn’t going to let anything ruin this perfect evening.

  A few minutes later, she slipped into bed. How was she supposed to sleep now? She replayed the evening, especially all the times he touched her. Then at the end of the evening, the lightest of kisses, leaving her wanting more—undoubtedly his intention. Although she would’ve liked for him to have lost control, gotten carried away and kissed her senseless.

  Why, oh, why had he come to town now when she had so much to do, so little time to spend with him? It didn’t sound as if he intended to move to Red Rock like so many of his siblings and cousins, although having family here gave him plenty of reasons to visit, so this probably wouldn’t be their only chance to get to know each other.

  Felicity blew out a breath. Why was she even thinking that far ahead? He probably just wanted someone to pass the time with, and she was handy—and adoring. He had to have seen the infatuation in her eyes every time she looked at him. Who wouldn’t be flattered by that kind of attention?

  She shoved her hair back from her face. He was so completely different from any man she’d dated. He knew himself, not only knew what he wanted to do the rest of his life but was already doing it. Successfully. He was confident, too, which appealed to her a lot. He would want a strong woman, one who matched him in confidence.

  Saying no to him seemed impossible.

  But first he had to give her a chance to say yes.

  Chapter Three

  Michael stepped into Estelle’s the next morning to meet his cousin Asher, who waved from the first booth. The last time they’d been together was for Michael’s sister Emily’s wedding on New Year’s Eve. He had to admit that Asher looked relaxed, just as Wyatt had. Also like Wyatt, Asher had dirty-blond hair and blue eyes, the family resemblance strong, and those eyes both welcomed and studied Michael.

  Asher stood and pounded a hug on Michael’s back. He hadn’t realized how much he’d been missing his cousins and siblings since they’d abandoned Atlanta. “Good to see you, Ash.” He looked around, recalling his first visit here yesterday. “Great choice.”

  “All the locals come here. Basic, down-home food, and this beautiful lady, too,” he said, grinning as Estelle sauntered over carrying a coffeepot.

  “We’ve met,” Michael said, flipping over his mug.

  “Welcome back, Suit. You know, if you stay a day or two longer, you’d better get yourself some Wranglers. People won’t trust you.” She refilled Asher’s mug, then turned away. “I’ll be back for your order in a coupla shakes.”

  “The whole town seems to be filled with characters like that,” Michael said, grabbing a menu from behind the napkin dispenser.

  “They’re good, decent people, and yes, some of them are characters.”

  “No need to get defensive, Ash. I didn’t mean anything by the observation. I like Estelle. She says what’s on her mind.”

  “I just want to get this over with.” Asher shoved his menu back in place. “I know why you wanted to have breakfast together.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “To convince me to go back to JMF.”

  Michael leaned back. “I’m beginning to understand that none of you plan to do that, but does it mean you have to leave Atlanta altogether? You have parents who want to spend time with their four-year-old grandson. And he’s missing out on having a relationship with them.”

  “Jace is thriving here. It was the best decision I’ve made. And I’m healing, too. Recovery from a divorce like mine doesn’t come easily. Anyway, the situation is complicated. Jace still expects his mother to walk back through the door.”

  “Do you expect that, too?”

  “I haven’t heard from Lynn in six months. She said she needed a clean break, including from her son. How do I explain that to a vulnerable little boy?”

  Michael shook his head, not knowing the answer, either. “I will never understand how Lynn could turn her back on her family that way. Once you’ve made the commitment, it should stick, no matter what.”

  “Spoken like a man who
hasn’t committed yet—or survived the aftermath. Some marriages really can’t be saved. And Lynn wasn’t entirely to blame.”

  “Seems to me it’s the institution of marriage that’s to blame. It sets up unrealistic expectations that no one can fulfill.” After the cynicism-free evening he’d had with Felicity, Michael didn’t like the glaring return of it now.

  “There are good marriages out there, Mike. We’ve all seen them.”

  Estelle came back, order pad in hand.

  “What would you recommend?” Michael asked her, hiding a smile.

  She laughed at that. “Here we go again.”

  “The Reuben was the best I’ve ever had. I assume you have breakfast favorites that rank as high as that.”

  “Sure I do.”

  “Then you choose. You did great before.”

  “I’ll surprise you, then, Suit.”

  “It’s fun watching you reel someone in,” Asher said after Estelle left.

  Michael hadn’t thought he’d been doing that. Manipulation was one tool of many in business, but he hadn’t manipulated her, not on purpose. And truthfully, it threw him for a loop that Asher thought he had.

  “So, how was your date with Felicity?” Asher asked.

  Michael wasn’t really surprised that Asher knew. “Wyatt’s not too happy about that.”

  “Yeah? I can’t say that’s a shocker, but I didn’t hear about it from my brother.”

  “Who, then?”

  He pointed toward Estelle.

  “Which means the whole town knows?” Michael asked, not pleased.

  “Probably not the whole town. Though everyone around here likes Felicity.”

  “What’s not to like?” Michael pictured her. “She’s attractive and good company.”

  “And I’ll remind you that she’s roommates with someone who’s about to become part of our family, my future sister-in-law. Let’s not sully the Fortune name so quickly in Red Rock by breaking her best friend’s heart.”

  Michael’s jaw clenched. “You have a pretty low opinion of me.”

  “I have an honest opinion of you, Mike, based on a lifetime of knowing you. You always get what you want.”