that look meant anything, then he sure has a strange way of showing it. Heâs really made no attempt to get better acquainted on a personal basis.â
âYou might think tonight is about business. Trust me, Iâd bet anything itâs not.â
I ignored Monicaâs comment. âWhite heels with the dress, do you think?â
âYup, and I have just the pair,â she said, going to her closet. âHere, try these.â
I took one look at the four-inch heel and smiled. âReally?â Now these were hot. Open toe, open back, and all slim straps.
âReally,â she said, as I slipped my feet into them. They were surprisingly more comfortable than they looked.
âOkay,â I said, twirling around once more and pleased with the reflection I saw in the mirror. âLike I said, youâre a lifesaver, Monica.â
âGlad I could help. Only one thing ... I want all the details tomorrow morning. Got it?â
âGot it,â I promised.
Â
Sitting across from Lucas at the Island Room, I did feel hot. By the look on his face when I walked in, he may have been thinking that exact word. Of course, I could be all wrong, but it seemed like I was able to read his mind from the expressions on his face. And the one he had when I walked in certainly made me feel like a woman. Maybe even a desired woman.
âBonsoir,â he said, standing up as I approached the table, formally extending his hand.
âBonsoir,â I repeated, taking his hand, and that electric jolt Iâd felt this morning was even stronger. Feeling flustered, I let go of his hand as he pulled out my chair. With a European man, chivalry is never dead.
âYou look very nice this evening,â he told me.
I said a silent thank you to Monica before verbally thanking Lucas. I noticed he looked pretty dashing himself with pale blue blazer, open-collared shirt, and gray dress slacks.
The waitress came to take our drink order, and we both ordered a glass of Pinot Noir. When it arrived, he touched his glass to mine and said, âTo a great coffee café.â
âYes, and much success,â I said, before taking a sip. âOh, I have the catalog.â I reached in my tote bag and passed it across the table.
Lucas opened it and began turning pages. âDo you have any suggestions?â he asked.
âWell, you can never go wrong with a Bunn or Braun coffeemaker. Personally, I feel theyâre the best. And will you be serving espresso and cappuccino?â
âOui,â he said, reverting to his native language as he continued turning pages.
I smiled. âToward the back of the catalog, youâll see the machines for those.â
By the time dinner arrived, Lucas had made all of his selections. With my guidance, of course.
âThank you very much for helping me,â he said. âIâll be ordering everything on Monday, and Iâve already spoken to the workmen about coming in to build that counter and do a few other things.â
âThatâs great. So Iâm sure it wonât be long before your coffee café is open and ready for business.â
âWell, thereâs still the problem of furniture. Those tables and chairs you mentioned, along with the love seats. I got the ones for the bookshop in Gainesville.â
I took a bite of my pork and nodded. âRight. Youâll be able to find whatever you need there.â
âYes, well ... the problem is ... for the coffee café, Iâm still not sure exactly what I should purchase.â
âOh,â was all I could think of to say.
âSo ... is there any chance ... I mean, I know how busy you are helping your aunt, but ... do you think possibly you might be able to drive into Gainesville with me and help me make a selection?â
Yes, true, this appeared to be another business-related outing. But I enjoyed Lucasâs company and the thought of spending much of the day with him