Free A New York Love Story by Cassie Rocca Page B

“Actually, I do have an appetite, but for
food
.” She made it very clear.
    Cade laughed. “You immediately thought I meant something different. Naughty girl! I was thinking of room service…”
    â€œThere is a world out there celebrating, and you want to dine in a hotel room!” she avoided his eyes and grabbed her coat. “Let’s go.”
    Cade, putting on his jacket, asked, “Where would you like to eat?”
    â€œA hotdog at the first street stand would be perfect!”
    â€œYou go around the city with a filthy rich actor and you want a hotdog!” Cade didn’t hide his surprise.
    â€œDo you have something against hotdogs?”
    â€œNo, I adore them. And do you have something against filthy rich actors?”
    â€œWell, even if I did adore them, I wouldn’t want to take advantage of them…” she replied with an angelic smile.
    Cade felt the impulse to kiss her, but he was – luckily? – stopped by the arrival of the elevator. He decided that keeping talking was probably the least dangerous thing he could do. Leaning his back on the elevator wall, he looked at her, “It’s the first time I’ve met a woman who turns down a dinner in a luxury restaurant.”
    â€œI think you’ve probably never met one single woman who was able to deny you anything.”
    He gave her quizzical look. “So, is this the reason you don’t want to have dinner with me? Just to be different?”
    Clover opened her coat, revealing the embroidered snowmen on her dress and giggled. “I think I have distinguished myself enough. I don’t need to show you anything more.”
    Cade felt touched and smiled sweetly. “Look, if it’s because of your dress…”
    â€œNo, it’s not because of my dress, nor am I trying to be polite. Really! It’s just that expensive restaurants are not my style.” She stepped out of the elevator. “However, if you really want to pay for my dinner, you can always pay for the hotdogs!” Her dimples suddenly re-appeared.
    Cade didn’t have time to reply, since the concierge came over to them eagerly. “Can I do anything else for you, Mr Harrison?”
    â€œNo, James. Thank you. You have been very helpful. You can tell your daughter I’m very pleased with the treatment you provided us… give her my best.”
    â€œYou can do better than that!” Clover grabbed her cell phone and gently pushed Cade to the center of the hall. “Stay still. Look at me and smile.”
    â€œWhat are you doing?” Cade was puzzled.
    â€œI’m sure James would be a big hit with his daughter, if she found a photo of you with your autograph under the Christmas tree. Isn’t that true?” She addressed the perplexed concierge.
    â€œOf course… Lisa would be very excited!”
    â€œSmile, Cade,” she whispered.
    Hearing her pronounce his name gave him a thrill and he spontaneously smiled at her.
    â€œDone!” Clover headed to the reception desk. “If you give me your cell number James, I can send you the picture. You should print and frame it. And then you can put Mr Harrison’s autograph inside the frame.” She took a pen and a small note pad out of her purse and handed it to Cade. “Come on and co-operate Mr Prince!”
    â€œWhy are you doing this?” Cade mumbled, signing the small paper.
    â€œActually, because this is my job.” Clover sent the photo to the receptionist and handed her business card to him. “If you have any trouble finding the right frame for your daughter, come to Giftland. You’ll find everything you need.”
    â€œI don’t know how to thank you, Mr Harrison…” James said, while Cade handed him the autograph.
    Cade glanced at Clover, saying, “It’s not me you should thank, James. I was just obeying orders.”
    â€œYou’ve made my daughter happy,