Justin came out in his Levis and cashmere sweater… and bare feet. Gawd, even the man’s feet were perfect.
He eyed my purse. “Leaving already?”
I forced a grin. “Well, since your wardrobe mystery is solved… and the fact I haven’t eaten dinner, I should probably go.”
He set down his brandy, concern filling his eyes. “You haven’t eaten?” He gestured to a stool by the butcher block counter. “Please, sit. I can whip you up something.”
Of course the man could cook. What could henotdo?
“Really, there’s no need. I’ll just pick something—”
“You did me a favor. It’s the least I could do.”
“You’re already helping me win a bet by going on a date.”
There was that side smile that made me even dizzier. “We both know I got the better end of that deal.” He pulled out a stool.
He was persuasive, but I needed to clear my head. More wine and dinner would only lead to bad choices with the amount of dopamine already in my system.
I nervously tugged at my necklace. “Thank you, really, but I can’t.” I slung the strap of my purse over my shoulder. “I’m moving to Paris in a month, and I really need to get going on my apartment search. Plus, I have a project I really should be working on.”
His smile faded. “I understand.” He followed me to his door. “Thank you for taking the time to do this.”
“You’re welcome,” I said. Justin leaned closer than I was comfortable with as his hand reached for the handle. I slipped out into the hallway.
“Could you wait one minute before you leave?” he asked.
“Sure.”
He disappeared and came back with a lunch tote bag. “I just put it together tonight. There are some cheese and grapes in there to tide you over, and I make a pretty good chicken Mediterranean wrap.”
“I can’t take your lunch.”
“I can throw together another one. I would do the same for Isabella, so don’t think this is my way of coming on to you.”
I laughed. “In that case, I’ll take it.”
He crossed his arms and leaned against the door frame. “So, if Iwerecoming onto you, then you’d refuse my lunch… or my making you dinner?”
“Pass.”
He tilted his head, a bit confused.
“Your rule, remember?”
He chuckled. “Goodnight, Vivian.”
“Goodnight.”
He didn’t close the door, and I refused to look back. The moment I stepped onto the elevator, I flopped against the wall to steady myself. That man affected me in a way that was unfamiliar. Usually, I was always in control of my emotions. I was the one who set the tone. I was normally one step ahead of the game. But Justin? Gawd, I’d fumbled when I tried to button his vest and felt faint the closer his body was to mine.
No. It’s just the wine and lack of food.
I am still in control, and I will handle our date as smoothly as I normally would. I can do this.
Although the jitters rumbling in my belly said otherwise.
6
