“I walked.”
“Ah. Can I give you a ride?”
Her mouth dried up. She shook her head even though something inside her wanted to jump up and down with glee.
“You sure?” He spread his hands. “I promise you’d be safe. Whether it looked like it or not in there, I leave most of the drinking to my brothers. I’m sober as a judge.” He smiled slightly. “If we kissed, you wouldn’t taste anything but me.”
Her jaw loosened. If?
“But then your boyfriend probably wouldn’t approve.”
She nearly choked. Thank goodness he didn’t ask for the nonexistent boyfriend’s name. “No. Probably not.”
“Seriously, though. You shouldn’t be out walking alone at this hour.”
“It’s only a few minutes from here. I’ll be fine.”
“And getting in the car of a stranger isn’t something you’re anxious to do.”
Her ears went hot again, because that thought hadn’t even entered her mind. And it certainly should have.
“Well.” He suddenly caught her hand up in his again, only to lift it and drop a kiss on the back of it. “You walk carefully, Savannah. And have yourself a good New Year.” He tugged his loosened tie off completely and tossed it in the car before following it.
“You too,” she finally managed faintly.
But she knew he hadn’t heard.
He’d already started the engine of the expensive-looking car and was driving away.
She couldn’t help feeling like she’d blown her one and only chance with the handsome man. For her and the nonexistent Savannah.