Free Defy the World Tomatoes by Phoebe Conn Page B

heels. “We close at six, so we’ll have to go to the movie first and dinner afterwards, if that’s all right with you.”
    “It’s fine. Give me your address and I’ll pick you up at six forty-five.”
    He reached for the pen in her bib pocket, but Darcy snatched it first and handed it to him. “I’m right around the corner at 231 Poppy. It’s the red house with the yellow trim and green door. You can’t miss it.”
    Griffin made a note of her address on the bag from the music store and handed her back the pen. He leaned down to give her a quick kiss on the cheek. “Until tonight, then.”
    Darcy closed her eyes as he walked away, unable to keep from thinking how limited her wardrobe was. Of course, a movie and dinner didn’t require a ball gown, but she couldn’t go in overalls either. She thought she had a couple of dresses hanging in the back of her closet, but she wasn’t actually sure.
    Giving up all hope of creating sketches, she went out to the nursery. “Go on to lunch, George, I’ll handle sales.”
    George moved out from behind the counter. “You and Mr. Moore going out tonight?”
    “We are, if I can find something to wear.”
    “He seems to like oxford cloth shirts and Levi’s,” George mused. “I read an article in one of my wife’s magazines that suggested a woman ought to dress like the man she wants to impress, sort of mirror his clothes.”
    “What makes you think I’m trying to impress him?”
    “He’s good-looking and rich. Why wouldn’t you? Now, if I were you, I’d find myself a cute little denim skirt and oxford cloth shirt. He wears loafers, but you needn’t go that far. Wear flats and you’ll do just fine.”
    Darcy shook her head in disbelief. “I had no idea you worked as a wardrobe consultant, George. What other talents are you hiding?”
    George responded with an enigmatic smile. “That’s just between me and my wife. Now I’m going to lunch. When I get back, you can go shopping.”
    Darcy stared at him as though he’d just suggested she eat bugs, but she thought he just might have the right idea when it came to clothes. She never wore the frilly dresses Christy Joy adored, but a denim skirt and shirt sounded just right. She drew in a deep breath and released it slowly. She hadn’t bought a new outfit to please a man in more than a year, so maybe it was time, but she had no idea what to do with the butterflies that cruised her stomach whenever Griffin Moore appeared.
     
     
    Griffin arrived right on time, but rather than invite him to come in, Darcy stepped out of her colorful house and pulled her door shut behind her. “The Monarch’s about a ten-minute walk. Why don’t you just leave your car here?”
    “That’s fine with me.” Griffin swept her with an appreciative glance before reaching for her hand. “You have such nice legs, Darcy, why don’t you wear shorts to work?”
    Darcy had been afraid her denim skirt was too short, and now she was positive of it. “Thank you, I do wear shorts in the summer, but overalls are a lot more practical out on a job. I mean to finish your sketches this weekend, but — ”
    “My yard isn’t going anywhere, and whenever you complete the sketches will be fine. I want you to have fun tonight rather than worry about work.”
    “That would be a pleasant change.” They were both wearing blue oxford cloth shirts and Darcy feared she’d gone too far in mimicking his wardrobe, but if he’d only noticed her legs, she supposed things were going rather well.
    She didn’t recognize anyone in the line at the theater, but didn’t appreciate the admiring glances sent Griffin’s way. That he remained focused on their conversation was flattering, however, and she was relieved to discover they shared a preference for the theater’s back rows.
    Once they were seated, Griffin again took her hand and shocked her by resting it in his lap. He wasn’t rubbing her knuckles along his crotch, which she would have put a stop to