Free Management Skills by January Rowe

do.”
    “But this is a blue car.”
    He looked around the inside of the vehicle, pretending confusion. “Huh. You’re right. This car is blue.”
    “How many cars do you own?” she asked, laughing.
    His expression turned sheepish and he refused to tell her.
    “That many?”
    “That many.”
    She owned but one car, a seven-year-old Honda Civic. Grant’s blue sedan was a Mercedes. No doubt super expensive. She tried to imagine finding happiness in acquiring fancy automobiles. She couldn’t. Maybe it was a rich-man thing.
    Cupped by luxurious leather seats, she pondered their differences. What if she and Grant didn’t have that aching, all-consuming, white-hot craving for each other? Would they dislike each other then? Even hate each other? The very idea made her sad.
    The restaurant had an elegant yet casual atmosphere. They decided to eat outside, under a canopy of trees on an inviting flagstone patio. He pulled out a heavy scrolly iron chair for her. His sweet attentions stirred her nearly as much as his fierce control. His tenderness wasn’t artifice. He could be both a gentleman, sincere in caring for her, and a demanding owner. Just like she could be both a dignified professional and a writhing sex slave.
    The specialty of the restaurant was old-fashioned comfort food. They ordered a hearty breakfast, along with coffee.
    “So, where are you taking me this weekend?” she asked, sipping her coffee.
    “A little B&B on Nob Hill.”
    “A B&B. How romantic,” she said, grinning.
    He sent her a darkly sexy look, as if romance wasn’t on his agenda. Her whole body hummed in response. Their eyes connected for one long, satisfying moment. He grinned back at her, breaking the spell.
    “What’s new with your family?” She loved hearing about his siblings. With so many of them, there was always some amazing thing going on.
    “Trig and his wife Suzanne are going to have another baby.”
    “They’re the ones in Peru?”
    “Ecuador, actually.”
    “Not Peru? Oh, yeah, that reminds me. Did I tell you Pilar and I are getting set to visit my Mom in Japan this summer? We have tickets and everything!”
    “That’s exciting,” he said, his voice rich with affection.
    “Yeah, I’m finally going abroad. I can’t wait. I finally get to see what my Mom’s doing. Why she likes it. And having Pilar come with me—well, she’s a blast. That girl is a portable party. Did you know she’s a big anime fan? Japan is like the mother ship to her.”
    His eyebrows rose. “Pilar and anime? The girl with the multi-colored hair? You’re pulling my leg.”
    She chuckled.
    The waiter brought their breakfast. Her fragrant golden pancakes were slathered in butter and dripping with syrup. Grant’s plate had a manly meat-eater ambiance, with heaps of bacon and sausage, no pancakes and one token egg.
    They both dug in. The pancakes were soft and fluffy. Truly comfort food.
    “Karen’s engaged now,” he said. “To a fellow teacher.”
    “Have you met him?”
    “Yes,” he said, enjoying his bacon.
    “You approve?”
    “What makes you think Karen wants my approval?”
    She laughed. “Not just yours. She’s going to want the approval of that whole clan of yours. You Edmonds are constantly in each other’s business. I’m surprised I haven’t been vetted by your family yet.”
    He grunted. “Well, I have met Karen’s man. Stefan’s his name. Decent sort. Conservative and calm. Nice counterpoint to Karen.”
    “Have they set a date?”
    “Yup. Atlanta in August.” He picked up his mug of coffee. “Are you free the last weekend in August?”
    “Are you inviting me to your sister’s wedding?”
    “No, you’ll be getting a formal invite from Karen and Stefan. But I’m giving you a heads up.”
    She was touched. He wanted his family to meet her. But she couldn’t go. “I can’t. That’s when I’m off to Japan. I wish I could.”
    “I’m sad you can’t be there.” He gazed at her with such warmth she nearly