why, Keira. I think that’s something you’ll have to discover for yourself. I suspect it has a bit to do with the fact that you’re in charge of every other aspect of your life. You work full-time while attending classes. You care for your family.
When do you let go of all of that?”
She shook her head. “My head keeps telling me I’m an independent, adult woman.
Am I supposed to let go?”
“Why not? Do you trust me?”
She considered his question and he was glad she was taking the time to figure out her answer. If she’d said yes immediately, he would have doubted her word.
“We haven’t known each other that long,” she said.
“Is that your answer?” he asked with a grin.
“No…not all of it anyway. My head says I haven’t known you long enough to respond to you the way I am.”
“Your head would probably be right.”
51
Mari Carr
She gave him a quick shrug. “Unfortunately, every other part of me insists I can trust you—that I do trust you.”
He leaned closer and took her hand in his. “All I can say, Keira, is that I will always be honest with you. Always tell you the truth about what I’m thinking and feeling. The truth about tonight was I’d intended to keep this date very simple, chaste and safe.” She laughed. “You had my panties in your pocket before we even got into the restaurant.”
He smiled at her smart-ass comment. Everything about her was open, fun, real.
“I thought I spotted your car in the parking lot,” a deep voice said.
Will looked up and saw Kent and Jessica standing at their table, the bottle of wine he’d ordered in Jessica’s hands.
“I told the waiter we’d deliver your wine,” Kent said.
“I have to admit I’m surprised you’ve managed to wait so long to make your way over,” Will joked. “We’ve been here ten whole minutes.” Kent laughed. “Jessica’s been chomping at the bit to come over and meet your lovely date since you walked in the door.”
Jessica elbowed her husband and rolled her eyes. “I was the one holding him back.
He’s as nosy as an old woman. I’m Jessica Tulley.”
“Keira Collins,” Will said, taking up the introductions, “I’d like you to meet a couple of my oldest and dearest friends. Kent and I were roommates in college.”
“Nice to meet you,” Keira said.
“Will says your family is in the restaurant business as well,” Kent said.
Keira nodded. “Yes, my family owns and operates Pat’s Irish Pub and the adjoining restaurant.”
“Sunday’s Side?” Jessica asked, and Keira nodded.
“Oh, I’ve heard wonderful things about that place. Rumor has it you’ve employed a new chef in the last year.”
52
Come Monday
“My sister, Riley,” Keira responded. “She attended culinary school after high school and has just returned to take over the kitchen duties.”
“Sister, eh?” Kent said. “Damn. Guess that shoots that idea out of the water. We were hoping to lure her away from you.”
Keira laughed. “Believe me, there are some days I’d give her to you for free.”
“Spoken like a true sister,” Kent joked. “Let me give you my card and you can give me a call on one of those days.”
Jessica poured the wine as Kent continued speaking to Will. “As soon as Jess heard you were coming, she changed the damn menu. Suspiciously enough, your favorite meal is tonight’s special.”
Will placed his hand over his heart and smiled. “Ah Jessica, you’re too good to me.”
“She spoils you,” Kent muttered good-naturedly.
Will turned toward Keira. “Is there anything food-wise that you don’t like? Any allergies?”
She shook her head. “No allergies, but I can’t stand oysters.” Will laughed. “Probably a good thing. I’m not sure you and I would be able to sit for this meal if we added oysters to it.”
Keira looked at him, puzzled.
“They’re considered to be an aphrodisiac. I’d say we’re doing just fine without them.”
Her lovely face flushed and her eyes
When do you let go of all of that?”
She shook her head. “My head keeps telling me I’m an independent, adult woman.
Am I supposed to let go?”
“Why not? Do you trust me?”
She considered his question and he was glad she was taking the time to figure out her answer. If she’d said yes immediately, he would have doubted her word.
“We haven’t known each other that long,” she said.
“Is that your answer?” he asked with a grin.
“No…not all of it anyway. My head says I haven’t known you long enough to respond to you the way I am.”
“Your head would probably be right.”
51
Mari Carr
She gave him a quick shrug. “Unfortunately, every other part of me insists I can trust you—that I do trust you.”
He leaned closer and took her hand in his. “All I can say, Keira, is that I will always be honest with you. Always tell you the truth about what I’m thinking and feeling. The truth about tonight was I’d intended to keep this date very simple, chaste and safe.” She laughed. “You had my panties in your pocket before we even got into the restaurant.”
He smiled at her smart-ass comment. Everything about her was open, fun, real.
“I thought I spotted your car in the parking lot,” a deep voice said.
Will looked up and saw Kent and Jessica standing at their table, the bottle of wine he’d ordered in Jessica’s hands.
“I told the waiter we’d deliver your wine,” Kent said.
“I have to admit I’m surprised you’ve managed to wait so long to make your way over,” Will joked. “We’ve been here ten whole minutes.” Kent laughed. “Jessica’s been chomping at the bit to come over and meet your lovely date since you walked in the door.”
Jessica elbowed her husband and rolled her eyes. “I was the one holding him back.
He’s as nosy as an old woman. I’m Jessica Tulley.”
“Keira Collins,” Will said, taking up the introductions, “I’d like you to meet a couple of my oldest and dearest friends. Kent and I were roommates in college.”
“Nice to meet you,” Keira said.
“Will says your family is in the restaurant business as well,” Kent said.
Keira nodded. “Yes, my family owns and operates Pat’s Irish Pub and the adjoining restaurant.”
“Sunday’s Side?” Jessica asked, and Keira nodded.
“Oh, I’ve heard wonderful things about that place. Rumor has it you’ve employed a new chef in the last year.”
52
Come Monday
“My sister, Riley,” Keira responded. “She attended culinary school after high school and has just returned to take over the kitchen duties.”
“Sister, eh?” Kent said. “Damn. Guess that shoots that idea out of the water. We were hoping to lure her away from you.”
Keira laughed. “Believe me, there are some days I’d give her to you for free.”
“Spoken like a true sister,” Kent joked. “Let me give you my card and you can give me a call on one of those days.”
Jessica poured the wine as Kent continued speaking to Will. “As soon as Jess heard you were coming, she changed the damn menu. Suspiciously enough, your favorite meal is tonight’s special.”
Will placed his hand over his heart and smiled. “Ah Jessica, you’re too good to me.”
“She spoils you,” Kent muttered good-naturedly.
Will turned toward Keira. “Is there anything food-wise that you don’t like? Any allergies?”
She shook her head. “No allergies, but I can’t stand oysters.” Will laughed. “Probably a good thing. I’m not sure you and I would be able to sit for this meal if we added oysters to it.”
Keira looked at him, puzzled.
“They’re considered to be an aphrodisiac. I’d say we’re doing just fine without them.”
Her lovely face flushed and her eyes
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