Free Three Times the Charm by Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy Page A

Daphne said with a wink.
    Carisa grabbed her purse with
speed.   Daphne had set up the date––Alex
happened to be Daphne’s boss, at the local all-news radio station where she
worked––but Carisa didn’t want the two talking about
the office.   And she’d rather the blonde,
glamorous Daphne not distract her blind date.
    “Let’s
go,” she said, and linked her arm through Alex’s.   Most of the time she wouldn’t dare be so bold,
but this guy gave ‘hot’ a new definition––and she was determined to give him
her best effort.
    “Sure,”
Alex said. In the hallway of the apartment building, he headed for the
elevator. “I made dinner reservations at Hacienda Verde, if that’s all right.”
    “It
sounds great,” Carisa said. “I love Mexican food.”
    “Great,”
Alex said. “I think they serve some of the city’s best.”
    While
she savored the taste of delicious enchiladas topped with chili gravy and paired
with refried beans, Carisa remembered the last date she’d
had at a Mexican eatery.   She couldn’t
even recall the man’s name, but did recall how her date had ordered for them
both. He’d even asked for ‘no cheese’ on her dinner.   The ‘special’ burrito supreme tasted rich and
delicious, but Carisa didn’t realize it included a
sour cream sauce blended with the shredded beef, the beans, and the onions
until her tummy acted up. She had gone home early, sick and embarrassed.  
    In
her desire to prevent another mishap, she blurted out, “I’m lactose intolerant,
though.”
    As
soon as the words exited her mouth, she wanted to pull them back.   She thought she probably sounded petulant and
childish.   Alex pushed the ‘lobby’ button
and smiled.   “No problem,” he said. “We
just won’t order cheese enchiladas or any queso and
I’ll tell them to hold any sour cream.   And I promise not to force-feed you any ice cream, or make you drink
milk.”
    He
didn’t seem to mind.   And he made no
snide comment––just accepted it, and even joked about it.   Carisa relaxed.   Maybe this date would be different.   “Thanks,” she said.
    Alex
laughed. “Don’t mention it,” he told her. “Just don’t expect me to eat peanuts
or anything cooked in peanut oil. So we won’t be having Chinese any time soon.”
    OMG, he’s got allergies himself.   The revelation surprised her and pleased her in an odd little way.   Now she didn’t feel like a total freak.   “I won’t,” she told Alex. “I guess I won’t be
baking you any peanut butter cookies, then.”
    “Chocolate
chip cookies would be great, though,” Alex said as they stepped out of the
elevator and strolled through the lobby.   “I’m not picky and I love home cooking.”
    “I’ll
make you some,” Carisa promised.   And she would, too. “Are we taking a taxi?”
    “No, I
brought my car,” Alex said and jingled the keys.   He led her to a sleek, black vintage Corvette
and opened the door so she could climb into the passenger seat.   Low music issued from the built-in stereo and Carisa cringed.   Here comes the modern music I
don’t recognize and can’t stand.   As
soon as Alex got behind the wheel, he raised the volume.   “I hope you don’t mind my music.   It’s pretty eclectic and if you’d rather hear
something else, I can turn on the radio.”
    The
cheerful, upbeat music of Glenn Miller’s Orchestra filled the space and Carisa grinned. “ In The Mood happens to be one of my favorites.   I love big band music, and ragtime, too.”
    “Cool,”
Alex replied. “Got a favorite Scott Joplin piece?”
    “ Maple Leaf Rag, ” she answered.  
    He
pulled out into traffic. “That’s mine, too.   It’s amazing to meet a woman who likes real music.   I worried you’d be into Celine Dion or Katy
Perry or something modern.   Nothing wrong
with them––they’re great singers, but they’re just not my style.”
    Alex
made small talk easy and Carisa smiled, relaxing in
his