“Sure, didn’t seem that way a minute ago.”
I could have screamed with frustration but instead I picked up a knife and pointed it at him. “Get out of my kitchen!”
He seemed to realize he fucked up and held his hands up, taking a step forward. “Hey. I didn’t mean to— “
“I said get out!”
He paused and sighed, rubbing the back of his neck before turning and walking out of the kitchen without another word. Once he was gone, I leaned against the prep table and put my head in my hands, letting out a muffled scream.
Now I was going to have to sterilize the damn prep table all over again.
Jami
I wasn’t the type of guy to apologize often, but when I did, it was because I really fucked something up. Blindsiding Lena was not the best decision I’d ever made, but I was going to try and make it right, if she would let me.
I’d tried sending candies, stuffed animals and all manner of presents to her door, but it turned out I had the wrong address. The man who I’d been sending things to finally called my office and told me he appreciated the gifts, but that I should stop wasting my money.
Once I got off the phone with the man, I realized that it was probably better she didn’t get my gifts. I was quickly discovering that Lena wasn’t the type of woman to be swayed by material things. When I came to that conclusion I was even more eager to take her out, though for the first time in my life, the goal wasn’t to just sleep with her. I wanted to get to know her.
That’s why I showed up early to the restaurant, asking her to meet me for an executive meeting. She seemed hesitant, but agreed. I knew that she doubted me, and she had every right to. I even felt a little guilty about the lie, but I could only hope that the outcome would be good enough to out weight the lie.
I was sitting at one of the empty tables with a bottle of wine and two glasses. Lena came through the door, her white sundress fluttering in the wind, kissing her smooth thighs. She wasn’t wearing any make up and her curls were loose and wild. I was taken aback by her, shocked at the way my heart was beating so quickly.
“Lena.”
“Jami.” She gave me a curt nod and slid into the seat across from me, putting her hands on the table.
I paused and poured us both a glass of wine. “Look…I know I lied to you, but I hope you’ll hear me out.”
She sighed and rolled her eyes. “I’m not stupid, Jami. I know you were lying. I don’t know what you want to talk about, but I know it’s not work.”
I nodded and cleared my throat. “I want to ask you on a date.”
“I already told you no.”
“I know, but I wanted to try again, and this time there’s no funny business.”
She crossed her arms over her chest and sighed. “I don’t believe that for a second. I know all about you, Mr. Playboy. I’m not going to be another notch on your bedpost.”
I held up my hands and sighed. “That’s not why I’m here, alright? I know I have a reputation, but if you dug a little deeper, you’d find out that I don’t chase women.”
She cocked a brow and crossed her arms over her chest. “What are you trying to say?”
“I’m saying that I want to take you out on a date so that I can get to know you better.”
“And you’re being honest?”
“Entirely.”
She snorted a little and leaned back in the booth. “Are you trying to impress me?”
“If you’ll give me the chance,” I said with a grin.
She hummed and tapped her fingers on the table. “And there’s not going to be any funny business?”
“None at all. Everything is on your terms.”
She paused and sighed. “If I agree to go on this date with you, will you leave me alone?”