Chapter 3

“A lovely woman like you? I don’t believe it.”

She preened at his compliment, thanking him. Then they made serious inroads into their meals. At Blaine’s prompting, she had another glass of wine, at which point she was obviously feeling no pain.

“Would you care for some dessert?” he asked.

It took her a moment to consider his suggestion before she declined. “I should go home. I have a busy day tomorrow.”

“We both should,” he replied. He asked for the check, paid it in cash when the waitress gave it to him,then stood, offering his hand to Ms. Hawthorne.

She took it, not releasing it as they left the restaurant.

“Where did you park?” Blaine asked her.

“I took a cab. I hate trying to find parking in this area and I refuse to pay for using the mall’s garage.”