Her body heated. She brushed him off. “Just don’t talk to me right now. I need a minute.”
Without another word she made a beeline for the bathroom and locked herself in a stall. She closed her eyes and took calming breaths.
Her mind couldn’t even process that Galen had touched Jennifer. Slept with her. The vision of Galen and Jennifer in an embrace formed in her mind and wouldn’t budge.
Two women came in and giggled at the sink, washing their hands, talking about not being jealous.
The word struck her hard.
Was she hurt because Galen had done something wrong, or jealous that Jennifer had been with Galen? The ladies left.
Galen had a past and so did she. So what about Jennifer? Natalie unlocked the stall door and washed her hands too, though she was alone. She glanced in the mirror. Galen came here with her and if she was calm, they’d leave together too. There was no need to get upset. Her heart calmed down, and she left the bathroom.
Galen waited for her with his hands tucked into the pockets of his black pants. He watched her intently. “Do you want to go home?”
She reached for his hand and entwined their fingers, feeling the spark that rose in her body. She shook her head and smiled at him, “No, let’s get some dinner.”
His shoulders dropped. “I thought you were angry at me.”
They walked to the restaurant part of the venue and a girl showed them to a table. As she sat she scooted beside him, waited for the waitress to leave and said, “I was lying to you about my age and who I was at that time. But I do think we need to talk. I don’t want us having sex with anyone else except each other.”
He lightly touched her arm leaving a trail of goosebumps in his wake. “That’s not a problem, Natalie. I meant what I said about wanting to marry you.”
Marriage was a big step. Her mind didn’t go to the big picture but she wanted a chance for another date. “We’re not there yet, but not sleeping with anyone else is a good first step.”
“Deal.” He agreed fast and then he opened his laminated menu. His lips tightened at the choices but he asked, “What do you want to eat?”
She closed the menu and reached over and did the same with his. “We’re both getting cheeseburgers and French fries tonight to go with our beers.”
His gaze narrowed. “Why is it important that we do it this way?”
Natalie smiled. Had she broken him with a burger and fries compared to fancy cuisine? She swiveled in her seat and teased, “Are you complaining about the menu?”
Galen seemed to think twice and straightened. “No. Tomorrow in New Orleans, I’ll pick our lunchanddinner.”
Aww. Now that sounded reasonable and could be fun for a few days. She’d never been unless the hotel in Orlando was spot on, but she doubted it. “New Orleans. So we’re going to corporate headquarters.”
The waitress came, took their order and quickly left. “And my house in the Garden District, if that’s okay with you. My brothers and I moved there when I was still a teenager so Paris and New Orleans both have a sense of home.”
Good. Her pulse zipped that she’d get to see some place he loved. She took his hand. “And no ex-girlfriends will be there to greet us?”
He squeezed her fingers. “Absolutely not.”
The waitress returned with two cheeseburger platters and set them down. “Then let’s eat, Galen. Tonight has been fun, but I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
Natalie took a bite of her juicy burger with American cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion, watching Galen swipe a fry through ketchup, and realized that despite Jennifer’s intrusion on their date, Galen’s attitude had been perfect.
He was a gentleman, but he’d also taken care of her. Going away with him for a few days would be great and if she felt the same when they returned, maybe she’d be ready to listen to a real marriage proposal. For right now though, just being with him was enough.
Natalie’s entire body was warm and full as she turned in her soft sheets. She reached for Galen, but her hand pressed against a pillow.
She fluttered her eyes and felt someone sit on the edge of her bed. She couldn’t keep her eyes open and shut them again, but Galen caressed her thigh. “Natalie, wake up.”
She glanced up from her pillow and looked right at him. “What time is it?”
“Nine.” He pointed toward the windows streaming bright sunshine. “We’re off to New Orleans. The plane is fueled.”
Wow. She’d clearly overslept, and she never slept like this, but then she was always alone. She sat up and stretched. “Right.”
