“Well, I’d like to think so.”
He chuckled and she drew her fingernails over his forearm flirtatiously. “You’re pretty adorable, too.”
He smiled as he leaned across and kissed the side of her face.
“Hi, folks,” the waitress greeted them. “I’m Tiffany. I see you already have a drink, ma’am. Can I get something for you, too?”
“Maker’s, neat,” Nick replied. “And two waters.”
“You got it.”
“I think I’m going to have the wedge salad,” Samantha decided. “I’m sort of obsessed with wedge salad.”
“Really? You didn’t have one last night,” he teased.
“Well,” she said coyly. “I was trying my darnedest to flirt with you so that’s why I ordered the special.”
“Well, I’d say it worked.”
“You mean since I made out with you in your office?”
He smirked. “I was going to say because I got the pleasure of taking you out tonight, but the making out was pretty great too.”
She flicked a glance at his face. “Have youreallynever done that before?”
“Not once.”
“Good. I’d hate to be a notch in your belt or something.”
“You aredefinitelynot a notch in my belt.”
She couldn’t help grinning and leaning over to kiss him as she became a bit overwhelmed by the good feeling she had about him.
* * *
“Are the sliders good?” Samantha asked.
Nick made an intensely satisfied face. “Wagyu.”
She crinkled her brow. “Wagyu?”
“The beef,” he clarified. “It’s amazing. Taste.”
He held one of the mini burgers up to her mouth and she took a bite.
“Oh my word,” she gushed after swallowing. “That’s an explosion of flavor.”
“Gorgonzola, sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, and basil mayo. Perfection.”
She grinned at him. “Do you spend all your spare time cooking up fancy dishes?”
“Ahhh, no.” He paused as he made a guilty face. “I actually can’t cook at all.”
She looked at him incredulously. “What? But you own a restaurant.”
“Yeah, I love it. I get to try out all kinds of great stuff anytime I want.”
She squinted at him, still incredulous. “Why would you start a restaurant when you can’t cook?”
