“I have actual work to do, Mr. Devon,” he quips, not concealing the bite in his tone.
“Last I checked, the Devon Holidays case was your work.”
He scoffs, crossing his arms. “What gave you the idea it’s the only case I am working on?”
Okay, things are starting to get a little heated and not in a good way. I don’t want to blow my chance because we can’t agree where to have lunch. I’m sure I can get my wayeventually, but letting him come out on top now will give him the illusion that he’s in control.
“Okay. Do you have a place in mind then, or should I pull up the map so we can check the reviews and pick something?” I suggest, instructing the car’s system to cancel my reservation at The Vine.
“There’s a nice café not far from here. It’s close to the Cedar Hills Rec Center, so you can park there.”
I input the destination into the car’s computer and follow its directions. We don’t get to talk as Josh gets a call from his mom, so I mostly listen in on their discussion about celebrating her anniversary. It takes about fifteen minutes to get to the Center and then another five on foot to arrive at the small café. It’s low-key up front, so not the kind I’d usually even bother to check out, but the inside is very cozy, with most of the tables already taken up. Plants and ceramic figures of various sizes dominate the space as we get in line in front of the cashier.
“Sorry about this,” Josh apologizes as he hangs up. “My mom is a bit of a talker.”
“So, you’re organizing her a surprise party?” I’m kind of curious now after hearing his side of their conversation. Besides, I’m in no rush to talk about the union stuff as there are a million other more interesting things I want to find out about him.
At first glance, Joshua Anderson is not someone I’d necessarily notice when my world is full of supermodels. But he’s such a breath of fresh air once you give him a chance, and not to mention how explosive he is in bed. It’s impossible not to get swept up in his pace.
“It’s anon-surprise party,” he corrects. “She hates surprises, so she knows about it. And since it’s a work-related anniversary, the whole Union is pitching in even if she retired.”
Oh, the hating surprises part is so relatable, actually. My dad is the same—he always likes to be in control, for things to go exactly the way he wants them to. I take after him on that front.
I revisit what I found out about Amy Lee Anderson in my mind. “Your mother’s track record is very impressive.”
He sighs, rocking back and forth on his heels. “Don’t I know it.”
I realize as we both go quiet that he’s probably dealing with the same pressure I am, trying to prove to everyone that he can measure up to his predecessor. That he can be counted on, that he won’t disappoint, that even if he falls short of his mom, he’d still do his best.
An urge to hug him shakes me to my very core. I know those doubts so intimately, the fear, the daily pressure, the constant worry while trying to set your foot down and change things because you know they can be better. Will we surpass our parents? Or will we be left in the dust?
I clench my hands into fists so I don’t act out on the impulse to comfort him in front of the entire café. I’d love to, and I don’t care if people would stare, but he probably won’t appreciate it because we are, after all, currently meeting in professional capacity.
“I know our circumstances are different, but I can relate. Just hang in there, continue to do your best, and you will do just fine.”
My own words surprise me, but I feel them with every fiber of my being. Joshua Anderson is a stubborn man. I barely know him, but I can tell that he’s not the type to give up easily. He’s a fighter who doesn’t compromisewith what he believes in just because that path might be harder.
“Thanks. I… appreciate you saying that and… I am sure you will achieve whatever you’ve set out to do as well.” He grins then, and I find myself unable to look away from his pretty face. “Just don’t get in my way or I’ll kick your ass.”
There it is, that bite. That head-spinningpunchhis character packs.
Humming, I tip my chin at the counter as it’s finally our turn, and showcase my best and sexiest smirk. “Cocky. But I like them that way.”
The laugh he lets out as he shakes his head and nudges me in the ribs takes my heart to the clouds. He’s fun, he’s sassy, he’s got the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen… Just what am I going to do with him?
We order our food—lasagna for me, burger and fries for him and two ice-creams for dessert—and start looking for a table. I didn’t realize it when we walked in because I was too busy being distracted by Josh, but the place is actually packed.
“There is a garden space out back. It’s not used much now because it gets a bit chilly.”
I’m well-dressed so I don’t mind. Plus, the sun’s been generous today, so it feels warmer than it usually is around this time of spring.
“Sure, fine by me.”
With no people braving the outside like us, we get the garden all to ourselves. Josh leads us to a table tucked in the corner by a big potted plant, where the walls are crowded with paintings and shelves with dozens of the ceramic figures.
“Oooh, this is really good,” I half-moan as I take a bite from my lasagna while he battles his burger.
The scene is straight out of a comedy, because that thing is huge. Sauce is dripping everywhere as he tackles it undeterred, like he doesn’t care about the mess that the aftermath will be.
