“I know what you mean. I haven’t had time to eat since breakfast this morning.”
“So, how about it? Want to go find a steak?”
She blinked. “Um…now?”
“Of course. We’re both hungry. We’ve dutifully made our appearances at this official reception thing, and there’s no reason for either of us to stay any longer. So, if you have no plans for the remainder of the evening, I would be honored if you would join me for dinner.”
She could hardly believe that Geoff Bingham was impulsively asking her out within a few minutes of meeting her. Heck, she couldn’t even say they had met, officially. She was quite sure she hadn’t even told him her name. “We haven’t even been introduced.”
His grin deepened, pushing intriguing creases into his lean cheeks. “We haven’t, have we? Of course you already know I’m Geoff Bingham, and I know you’re Eric Mendoza’s sister, Cecilia. You’re a valuable member of the midwifery team here and highly respected by everyone who mentions you. I’d like to get a chance to know you myself.”
So he did know who she was. Maybe, she decided, he just didn’t like eating alone. Maybe he was using her as an excuse to get out of this reception—being the gentleman by feeding a hungry guest, being a good executive by getting to know one of the subordinates in the organization, getting better acquainted with the sister of the man who was marrying one of his cousins. All sorts of rationales could apply. The question was, did she want to accept?
Rather surprisingly, considering her earlier weariness and eagerness to get home, the answer was yes.
Maybe she was simply trying to postpone going home alone—again—to contemplate her life and her future. Maybe watching Eric and Hannah from across the room made her aware again of her own depressing lack of a social life, if she discounted a few disastrous blind dates—which she did. Or maybe she simply liked the idea of spending a couple of hours with an attractive, charming and interesting man.
Deciding she had no reason at all to turn him down, she smiled. “Would you mind if I order chicken instead of steak?”
Satisfaction gleamed in his clear hazel eyes. “That can definitely be arranged.”
Chapter Two
If he had known when he’d dressed for the evening that he would end up dining with a beautiful brunette, he wouldn’t have been so reluctant to attend the reception, Geoff mused as he studied Cecilia Mendoza across a cozy table a short time later. Melinda’s was busy this evening, as it was most weekends, but a combination of clever table arrangement and discreet lighting gave them a sense of privacy as they studied the menus by candlelight.
At Cecilia’s suggestion, they had left the reception separately, driving their own cars to the restaurant. He had assumed the suggestion was based at least partly on discretion, since the gossip lines in the clinic were as active as in any tight-knit work environment. He had to admit it had been clever of her.
Geoff had had the foresight to call ahead as he’d left the hospital so that a table had been waiting for them, avoiding the usual lengthy wait for seating. He didn’t often wield his influence as a member of one of the wealthiest and most prominent local families, but this had been one of the rare occasions when it had been irresistible to do so. If Cecilia had been impressed, she hadn’t let it show, which was something else he liked about her.
“I think I’ll have the trout,” she said, laying her menu aside.
“Change your mind about the chicken?”
Her smile brought out tiny dimples at the corners of her mouth. Geoff couldn’t keep from staring at them as she replied, “Actually, everything looks so good it’s hard to decide. It’s been quite a while since I’ve had the chance to dine here.”
He dragged his gaze back up to her eyes. “Then I’m glad you were free to join me tonight.”
Located in an old firehouse, Melinda’s was a steak and seafood restaurant with a menu and a wine list that compared favorably to anything in the state, as far as Geoff was concerned. He liked the history of the place, the redbrick walls decorated with framed black-and-white vintage photographs from Merlyn County’s colorful past, the polished brass pole left over from the old fire station, the huge carved oak bar that made up the entire back wall of the popular lounge downstairs.
Geoff’s family had always come here for special occasions, such as birthdays and anniversaries, and the management had always given them preferential treatment. During the past few years, he had dined in some of the most renowned restaurants in the world, but Melinda’s would always feel like home to him.
Having placed their orders with the server who had been hovering discreetly nearby, Geoff focused on his companion again. “I’m told the clinic has been very busy lately.”
Her smile turned wry. “You’re told correctly. We’ve decided there’s a major baby boom going on in Merlyn County. And there’s more and more demand for midwifery services, partially due to the shortage of obstetricians in the county.”
“How are the new students performing? Is the school doing its job properly?”
“Absolutely. I would put our school up against any in the country.”
Pleased by her unmistakable loyalty to the company, Geoff nodded. “Enough about business—let’s talk about you.”
She gave him a look that warned him she wouldn’t fall easily for the usual trite lines, but he hadn’t really been feeding her one. He was interested in finding out about her. Something about the contrast between her politely restrained manner and her sexy flame-red dress intrigued him as much as her lovely face and curvy figure attracted him.
It had been much too long since he’d had time to spend an evening with an intriguing woman, he concluded. He had been so busy being the dutiful son and employee during the past ten years that he had almost forgotten how to be spontaneous and impulsive. He had tried so hard to be like his hardworking and upstanding father and not like his wild and irresponsible uncle that he had almost forgotten how to be himself. He had begun to suspect that there was a little of both his father and his uncle inside him.
It was the latter side t
hat he called upon when he leaned slightly forward and gave Cecilia his most winning smile. “What do you like to do when you’re not delivering babies?”