Tino stopped to look at her. “Don’t you already have enough to do?”
Before she could respond, he frowned. “Sorry, that came out wrong. What I meant to say is that I would think running the foundation would be a full-time job.”
“I have a good staff that handles a lot of the day-to-day details for me. I really love the hands-on part of the job. Eventually, I will need to find someone to take over the classes, but I see teaching as the payoff for all the hard work I’ve put in on getting this computer lab up and running.”
“That makes sense. I’m guessing working side by side with the people you’re hoping to help makes it easier to get the job done right.” He went back to writing down the numbers. “Too many people throw money at a problem from a distance without ever bothering to find out how it’s spent or what really works.”
“That sounds like the voice of experience.”
He shrugged. “You can’t serve in hot spots around the world and not learn a little about the subject.”
She didn’t press for details. The grim set to his mouth made it clear that the memories associated with the subject weren’t happy ones. “The good news is that lunch should be about ready.”
“Do you want me to haul the boxes out to the recycling bin?”
“Not yet. There’s always a chance one of the computers is faulty and will need to go back. Until the IT group has a chance to test them, we’ll need to keep the boxes handy.”
She checked the last number she’d recorded to make sure it was right. Tino had one more machine to go, so she leaned against the counter and waited for him to finish. When he handed her his clipboard, she set it aside with hers.
“Let’s lock up and then head into the cafeteria for lunch.”
While he waited for her, Tino cleared his throat and then asked, “Should I save you a seat?”
Did he doubt that she’d want to have lunch with him? She fell into step beside him as they started down the hall. “Actually, no, you won’t have to. I told Rosalie I couldn’t serve today, because I have to be available to help in here if they need me. So unless you have other plans, we can go through the line together and then stake out a corner of our own to eat.”
“Sounds good. What do you want me to do this afternoon?”
All kinds of ideas flooded into her mind, none of which were appropriate under the circumstances. “There’s a chart of what needs to be done today posted in the gym with the names of the team captains listed at the top. I’m sure any of them would be glad to have your help.”
“I’ll check it out.” He sniffed the air. “Something smells good.”
“I think an Italian restaurant did lunch today, and an organic bakery provided the desserts. Rosalie has a real talent for getting local businesses involved with the project. They often either donate the food or provide it at cost. In return, they get free advertising on the foundation’s website and in any publications we produce.”
“You guys do an impressive job.”
His comment pleased her. “We try. It’s important to stretch the foundation’s budget as far as it can go. We do get grants that really help, but my grandfather funds most of our projects.”
“He sounds like a nice man.”
She laughed. “Hardly. He’s a grouchy old coot, something he takes great pride in.”
Tino glanced down at her. “You adore him.”
“That I do. My parents both love me, but he’s the one member of the family who really understands me.”
They’d reached the cafeteria. Tino handed her a tray and took one for himself. “Do you get to see him very often?”
“I try to go over to his house every Tuesday morning. Updating him on the current projects and any we’re thinking about taking on is supposed to be the real purpose of the visits. He likes to keep his hand in as much as his health allows, and I value his advice. Mostly, I just like spending time with him.”
As they moved along in the line, she wondered if Tino and Cyrus would hit it off. Somehow she thought they would, but it was too early in their relationship for the whole meet-the-family thing to start. After all, they’d only gone on one date and spent two days working here at the center. Well, and then there were those amazing kisses.
Soon, though, if things between her and Tino continued to heat up. For now, they’d share lunch and then go their separate ways for the afternoon. After that, maybe she’d get up her courage and invite him over for dinner. The fact that the two of them enjoying a meal together behind locked doors would also provide that bit of privacy Tino mentioned earlier had nothing to do with the idea.
Nope, not at all. That was her story, and she was sticking to it.
—
What was Natalie thinking about so hard? He didn’t have such a big ego that he assumed every thought she had was about him. Regardless, right now Tino would bet his last dollar it was true this time. They’d piled their plates high with lasagna, salad, and garlic bread before finding a table for two in the back corner.
