normally didn’t drink so much but the alcohol reduced her inhibitions. And she believed in the moment the drinks would give her fortitude to behave professionally. But maybe not. “I think the champagne has gotten to me a little. I’ve got the loose lips syndrome. When the dust settles with work, perhaps I can concentrate a little on my social life.”
Max appeared puzzled and hesitated to respond. “Oh, well, you mentioned you wouldn’t have much time for anything else besides work.”
“Er, yes, yes, I will be very busy. But, I’ve been working feverishly to set things up at Applaud ! to make the transition run smoothly. At the same time, I needed to get Jenny and me out of our crappy apartment.” Felicity felt her face burn with embarrassment but trapped herself into further explanation. “I used my last pay check in anticipation of the advance money from Sharpen to negotiate a new lease. We found a lovely patio apartment closer to work. You’ll have to see it sometime.” Darnit. She knew she’d come off as though she flirted with him, but she couldn’t help it.
“You mean you already negotiated a lease?”
Felicity’s pride swelled. That’s right , she’d already been on it. “Yeah. Well, Jenny’s been a great help. She did a lot of research and found the place on her own. I’m so proud of her. I think I’m finally on an even-keeled relationship with my sister. And it’s such a blessing now. I’ll be working double-time, at least for a while.” Felicity tried to stop herself from rambling.
“I could help you with the move, if you like.”
“I don’t think it’s necessary. We’re used to handling things on our own. It builds backbone.” Oops. Maybe she sounded too fierce. Felicity downed another glass of the Cristal.
Max filled his glass and lifted the empty bottle. Their waitress immediately appeared and he ordered another bottle of champagne.
After serving the new bottle, the waitress reviewed the dinner specials with them. Felicity asked Max to order her whatever he chose for himself. He put the order in.
Felicity didn’t pay attention to what he ordered.
“I’m sure getting a new job and a new apartment at the same time is a lot to handle.”
They continued to chat idly and before she knew it, the waitress returned with their meals.
When Felicity took in the sights of the entrée she stopped herself from being repulsed. Extra rare sirloin, which appeared to have been plated directly from the butcher’s display counter, lay on the plate with blood juice pooling at the edge of the plate. She wished she’d paid more attention to what Max had ordered. She didn’t want to embarrass him and send it back. But she knew she couldn’t eat something that rare.
“Is there a problem, Felice?” Max must have observed her state of distress.
“No. Well, I guess I didn’t expect the steak to be so raw.”
“No problem, Ma’am, we can broil it up in minutes,” the waitress offered.
Felicity agreed to the waitress’s offer and she took Felicity’s plate away.
“Seriously, if you ever need help with anything—please don’t hesitate to call me,” Max said.
Did he mean it like a big brother? Or did he mean he wanted to be more? “You’ve done enough and I really do appreciate you.”
They were sitting close. Maybe too close. His leg brushed against hers and the warmth of his body shot through her like a bolt of lightning. She died to touch him. Her stomach flip-flopped as she inhaled his male scent. She leaned her head on his shoulder and moved her hand to his thigh. Please kiss me.
But, then, horror of horrors, he moved her hand away. And cleared his throat! “I think I may have given you a little too much alcohol.”
Ouch! That stung!
“Sorry, I—I guess the champagne has gotten to my head, especially on an empty stomach.”
He pointed to the appetizers. “Eat up. The imported olives are great.” He popped one into his mouth.
She quickly buttered a piece of
Max appeared puzzled and hesitated to respond. “Oh, well, you mentioned you wouldn’t have much time for anything else besides work.”
“Er, yes, yes, I will be very busy. But, I’ve been working feverishly to set things up at Applaud ! to make the transition run smoothly. At the same time, I needed to get Jenny and me out of our crappy apartment.” Felicity felt her face burn with embarrassment but trapped herself into further explanation. “I used my last pay check in anticipation of the advance money from Sharpen to negotiate a new lease. We found a lovely patio apartment closer to work. You’ll have to see it sometime.” Darnit. She knew she’d come off as though she flirted with him, but she couldn’t help it.
“You mean you already negotiated a lease?”
Felicity’s pride swelled. That’s right , she’d already been on it. “Yeah. Well, Jenny’s been a great help. She did a lot of research and found the place on her own. I’m so proud of her. I think I’m finally on an even-keeled relationship with my sister. And it’s such a blessing now. I’ll be working double-time, at least for a while.” Felicity tried to stop herself from rambling.
“I could help you with the move, if you like.”
“I don’t think it’s necessary. We’re used to handling things on our own. It builds backbone.” Oops. Maybe she sounded too fierce. Felicity downed another glass of the Cristal.
Max filled his glass and lifted the empty bottle. Their waitress immediately appeared and he ordered another bottle of champagne.
After serving the new bottle, the waitress reviewed the dinner specials with them. Felicity asked Max to order her whatever he chose for himself. He put the order in.
Felicity didn’t pay attention to what he ordered.
“I’m sure getting a new job and a new apartment at the same time is a lot to handle.”
They continued to chat idly and before she knew it, the waitress returned with their meals.
When Felicity took in the sights of the entrée she stopped herself from being repulsed. Extra rare sirloin, which appeared to have been plated directly from the butcher’s display counter, lay on the plate with blood juice pooling at the edge of the plate. She wished she’d paid more attention to what Max had ordered. She didn’t want to embarrass him and send it back. But she knew she couldn’t eat something that rare.
“Is there a problem, Felice?” Max must have observed her state of distress.
“No. Well, I guess I didn’t expect the steak to be so raw.”
“No problem, Ma’am, we can broil it up in minutes,” the waitress offered.
Felicity agreed to the waitress’s offer and she took Felicity’s plate away.
“Seriously, if you ever need help with anything—please don’t hesitate to call me,” Max said.
Did he mean it like a big brother? Or did he mean he wanted to be more? “You’ve done enough and I really do appreciate you.”
They were sitting close. Maybe too close. His leg brushed against hers and the warmth of his body shot through her like a bolt of lightning. She died to touch him. Her stomach flip-flopped as she inhaled his male scent. She leaned her head on his shoulder and moved her hand to his thigh. Please kiss me.
But, then, horror of horrors, he moved her hand away. And cleared his throat! “I think I may have given you a little too much alcohol.”
Ouch! That stung!
“Sorry, I—I guess the champagne has gotten to my head, especially on an empty stomach.”
He pointed to the appetizers. “Eat up. The imported olives are great.” He popped one into his mouth.
She quickly buttered a piece of
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