“It was a pragmatic business decision,” he explained. “I’m good at running a business and I wanted to stay in Austin after college so a restaurant in a posh area was a smart move.”
“I guess you went to UT then?”
“Yup. Got my MBA from McCombs.”
Her eyebrows shot upward. “McCombs! Holy smokes. That’s an expensive program.”
He shrugged. “It was an investment. And I got a full return within a year or two.”
“Wow,” she replied, genuinely impressed. “I guess the restaurant is doing well.”
“It always has. Just like I knew it would.” He gestured with his drink before taking a sip. “A pragmatic business decision.”
She smirked. “You’re a pretty confident guy.”
He chuckled. “Only when I’ve weighed all the information carefully. And only when I’m absolutely sure about something. With everything else, I’m a bumbling idiot. Like this morning on the phone.”
“You weren’t sure about asking me out?”
“Not at all.”
“Why not?”
“You’re a bit out of my league, Samantha.”
She gaped at him. “What! No way!”
“Sure you are.”
“Riiiight. Says the guy who got his MBA from McCombs and owns a successful restaurant to the girl who got a ho-hum liberal arts degree from Texas State and works in HR. Trust me, you are out of my league.”
“There’s nothing wrong with any of that,” he insisted. “Besides, you’re beautiful and have a great sense of humor.”
“Aww,” she cooed as she rested her head on his shoulder. “You think I have a great sense of humor.”
“And I think you’re beautiful,” he underscored.
She looked up at him as she grinned. “I think you like me, Nick.”
“I think that’s pretty obvious, Samantha.”
She crinkled her nose. “I think you should kiss me again.”
He tilted his face down and did as he was told, and she nearly melted right off the chair.
“And I think,” he whispered. “You should let me give you that piggyback.”
“You mean you want me to take you home with me.”
“Exactly.”
“So we can finish what we started in your office.”
“Something like that, yeah.”
She giggled and kissed his cheek. “Well, tempting as that is, I’m afraid I can’t. Not tonight at least.”
He suddenly appeared a bit dejected. “Really?”
