The waitress brought out the salmon plates and left. She dared to glance at him, and hefrowned.
He waited until they were alone and said,"Don'tthankme."
"Whynot?"
"There is something I shouldadmit."
She leaned against her seat. She saw how his eyebrows darted. She dropped her napkin in her lap and tiltedherhead.
"You're a strange one. Whatever it is, just spit it out, so we can keep this peace that is growingbetweenus."
"You expect honesty and give it inreturn."
A smile broke onher face and then she covered her lips to hide it. "True, so what is it that makes you seemguilty?"
"Guilty? That's not it." His gaze narrowed. "I don't know right now. Youconfuseme."
This was perhaps the most elegant two dates of her life, and the pinnacle moment came tonight. She'd go through with this. Reality could wait till after theholidays.
"At least it's not justme then. I can toasttothat."
He ran his hand through his hair. "Belle, tomorrow, after the wedding, there is something we have todiscuss."
She swallowed as tingles on her lips grew again from how he stared at her. She nodded, but then said, "The no kissing rule is back on, then. There is something I have tofigureout."
"Deal. Not unlessyouask."
She licked herlips, but this wasn't nearly what she wanted. Instead she chose her fork and gritted her teeth. "I used to make fun of girls who wanted all these things. Now hereIam."
"I'll pick you up from the hotel tonight. Will you be ready byeight?"
This was it. She was going. Christmas Eve for a wedding would make everything better. She blinked and let her body stilled. Then she methisgaze.
"Sure."
Her word was all she had to give. There was nogoingback.
