“Nope.” He grinned. “That’s how the tables are. The wine is all inclusive, as much as you want, at all times. The first glass is always the house wine and then they bring you whatever your preference.”
“Holy crap.” Char looked lustfully at the glass of wine. “You’ve brought me to heaven.”
His smile was so large that Char gasped before looking down at the menu on the table. It was handwritten on a small chalkboard that sat like a placemat by her silverware.
“You like it?” he asked.
“I love it.” Char met his gaze and smiled.
Chapter Twenty-four
It had been an accident. He’d only meant to order one damn flower. But then he thought of Char’s dejected face, and how sad she’d looked when she got out of the car. So he ordered a few more. It was seriously like he had no control over his mouth as he talked to the florist.
When the florist asked why he was sending flowers, well. That’s when things spiraled out of control. Because he couldn’t help that his imagination began conjuring up images of what Char’s face would look like when she went to work and saw her desk littered with flowers. He was convinced nobody had ever taken the time to do something nice for her. He’d bet his life on it.
So fine. It had been excessive.
Perhaps too excessive.
But it was a peace offering. Whoever said peace offerings couldn’t be excessive? He’d wanted her to feel good.
Mission accomplished.
Until he saw her face again.
He really needed to stop seeing her in person. It was making him feel things he didn’t want to feel, like vulnerable and stupid.
And now she was looking at him like that again. The same look girls got on their faces when they were falling. Normally he hated it. But now? He craved it. Slowly, she was ruining him. He wasn’t sure if he should run the other way or just kiss her and get it over with. But that same irritating fear was still blocking all logical thought, making him re-think every damn choice.
He knew he was an ass and didn’t deserve her. He also knew he would most likely mess up and she’d hate him.
And then there was also his past with women. Add that on top of all the shameful things he’d done to Kacey and he wasn’t sure he could trust himself, let alone allow someone else to put their trust in him.
With a sigh he looked back down at the menu and tried to find something to order. Everything looked fuzzy; nothing sounded good, nothing but her.
And sadly, Char wasn’t on the menu. Maybe if he could find some chalk he’d put her on there and ask nicely.
Then h
e’d nicely push everything off the table.
And nicely strip her of her clothes.
Then nicely lay claim to her—
“Jake?” Char interrupted. “You’re all flushed. Are you okay?”
Hell no. He was not okay.
He gripped the sides of his chair and gave her a curt nod. “I was just thinking.”
“Care to clue me in?” Char laughed. “Your thoughts seem exciting.”
Oh, if she only knew.
“Ready to order?” A waiter popped out of nowhere.
Damn. If Jake would have actually been looking at the menu he could’ve fired something off, but his mind had gone completely blank, and now he was staring at Char’s mouth, like a starving man. Perfect. He was turning into a lunatic. Grandma would be pleased with herself.