“Do you think we’ll make it?” He didn’t want to fail his first community fund-raising assignment.
“Failure is not an option,” Peyton deadpanned the tagline from Apollo 13.
Darius chuckled. He was falling hard for the little professor. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He rang off. Wednesday couldn’t come fast enough.
CHAPTER 17
Trinity Falls Cuisine was slow on Wednesday nights. Darius escorted Peyton into the fancy restaurant, confident his friends wouldn’t be there to spy on him or make him uncomfortable.
“Good evening. Two?” The young hostess was probably a Trinity Falls University student. She seemed uncomfortable in her skinny black pants, starched white shirt, and narrow black tie.
“Yes, please.” Darius rested his hand lightly on the small of Peyton’s back. Her burgundy wool coat was soft beneath his palm, but he’d have preferred the warmth of her skin.
They followed the hostess farther into the restaurant. The scent of tangy spices and rich sauces hung heavy in the air. Lighting was low, lending the establishment a romantic ambience. But it wasn’t so dim that Darius couldn’t make out the beige-and-gray stone walls and dark wood trim. In his peripheral vision, he noticed the attention of the other diners, a few he recognized. They nodded, returning his gaze with open curiosity.
The hostess stopped beside a booth, waiting while Darius and Peyton settled in. “Your server will be right with you. Enjoy your evening.” She handed each of them a menu, then disappeared after he and Peyton thanked her.
Darius studied the menu. The offerings included roasted chicken, wood-fired steak, rosemary salmon, and baked lemon tilapia. Darius’ stomach growled.
“Sounds as though we got here just in time.” Peyton chuckled.
“I guess so.” Darius’s grin was sheepish. “Anything look good to you?”
“Everything does.” Peyton returned her attention to her menu. But Darius couldn’t look away from her.
Peyton’s copper curls bounced free tonight. He wanted to bury his fingers in its mass. Her honey-and-chocolate-cream complexion glowed against the warm gold of her cashmere sweater. Darius had committed to memory the way her straight black skirt traced her firm hips and slim thighs.
“You’re so beautiful.” He hadn’t realized he’d spoken the words out loud until Peyton looked at him in surprise. She seemed uncomfortable with his compliment.
She smoothed her hair in a nervous gesture. “Thank you. So are you.”
Darius’s eyes widened in surprise. “No one’s ever called me that before.”
Peyton leaned into the table, lowering her voice. “Why do you think people stare at you everywhere you go?”
Darius tensed. They stared at him because he was Simon and Ethel Knight’s son. But if Peyton wanted to believe it was because of his looks, he wouldn’t correct her.
“Hi, I’m Agnes. I’ll be your server tonight.” The tall, slender college student suddenly appeared beside their booth. They looked younger and younger every year. “What can I get you to drink?”
Peyton glanced at Darius before answering. “May I have a glass of water with lemon?”
“I’ll take an iced tea with lemon, please.”
Agnes went to get their drinks.
Darius caught Peyton’s gaze. “You’re beautiful, kind, and intelligent. Why aren’t you married?”
Peyton’s gaze wavered only slightly. “I can ask you the same thing.”
Yes, she could, but that wasn’t a conversation Darius was ready to have.
He arched a brow. “Are you calling me beautiful, kind, and intelligent? Thank you.”
Darius scanned his menu, deciding on the roasted chicken before setting it down and looking around the restaurant. Not many people were staring at them this time.
“There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you, but I don’t want to pry.” Peyton’s admission made him both curious and cautious.