“You don’t know that,” Fiona insisted. “Give him a few minutes. He’s at work, remember? It’s not like he can just stop in the middle of busting things out.”
She sighed. “True.”
But the bravado rushing through her a few minutes ago was gone, leaving her full of uncertainty. What in the world had she been thinking?
Before she could form an answer, her phone dinged with a text.
Her pulse hiccuped. Leo actually responded. She met her friend’s gaze for a second, then picked up her phone and read the text.
Do you know where the Lansbury Diner is? I can meet you at noon.
Her stomach fluttered as if she’d suddenly swallowed a whole swarm of butterflies.
Yes. I’ll see you there,she responded.
“Well?” Anticipation vibrated through her friend’s tone. “What did he say?”
Kaydee couldn’t stop the smile from tugging her lips. “We’re meeting in two hours.” Which was perfect, since her appointment with the Realtor wasn’t until one thirty.
Fiona patted her hand. “See? Aren’t you glad you took the chance?”
She blew out a breath and nodded but wasn’t sure she’d have the guts do it again.
Unless, of course, lunch went well.
…
To say Leo was surprised was the understatement of the year. He’d never expected Kaydee to text him, let alone invite him to lunch. But more surprising than that had been his acceptance. He never even thought to decline.
And considering how much he had enjoyed the past forty minutes of her company that afternoon, he was glad he had accepted. A thought that reverberated through his mind as they left the diner and he walked her to her vehicle.
“So, where are you off to now?” he asked, stalling by her car, reluctant to go, even though he needed to get back to work. His first day as a supervisor was probably best spent supervising.
“I’m supposed to meet the realtor a few streets from here,” she said, stopping at her door before turning to face him. “Thank you for taking time out of your first day to meet me.”
He smiled. He couldn’t help it. “Thanks for the invite.”
She stepped toward him, and he stood transfixed as he watched the color rise into her pretty face, deepening the brown of her mesmerizing eyes. The woman was adorable, and her open, hopeful gaze warmed his heart. A foreign feeling he was willing to experience again. And again. But only with Kaydee. It was as if his heart were slowly thawing, coming back to life.
And when she placed her hands on his shoulders and lifted on tiptoe to brush her lips to his, a different organ woke up. One farther south. His favorite one.
The warmth she brought to his body instantly increased. He slid his hands around her back, but he let her control the kiss. Like the woman, it was tentative and sweet, and a turn-on unlike anything he’d ever experienced. But all too soon it ended, and she released him.
“So…” She cleared her throat and stepped back. “I guess I’ll see you Wednesday…when you come up to visit your grandmother. You are coming up to visit her then, right?”
God, she really was adorable.
“Yes.” He smiled and moved closer. He liked being close to her. Way too much. “What would you like me to work on?”
A flash of heat flickered through her gaze. “M-me…I mean…my side.”
Holy shit. Leo’s heart kicked the hell out of his ribs. He knew she was talking about her house and not offering herself, but damn. For a split second, he couldn’t deny the rush of pure pleasure that washed through him.
This time,hecleared his throat. “Yeah, you,” he said, brushing her soft cheek with his thumb. “I’ve been fixing things on your grandfather’s side of the house. It’s time I tackled something on your side.”
Ever since he’d known her, Kaydee always put her grandfather’s needs first. He admired the hell out of her for it. But now he wanted to do something for her. To scratch something off her to-do list.
She gave her head a little shake as if to clear it, something she seemed to do a lot around him. “M-my upstairs shower needs tiling.”
