Love Takes Time (Christian Romance) by Kaci Hart Page B

understand what it’s like to
have parents that require you to do things their way.”
     
    “Maybe,
but I was still wrong.  I, for one, had a mother that taught me much
better than that.  If dad is strictly business, then mom is miss manners
herself and she would have been disappointed in how I treated a lovely woman
I’d just met.”
     
    His
features softened and Chelsea could see on his face that he meant exactly what
he said.  He was honestly sorry about what had happened—  and what
hadn’t happened for that matter.  Any hard feelings that she was harboring
towards him melted instantly at the sincerity in his gaze.  The other
night didn’t matter anymore.  
     
    “Well
thanks for the compliment.”
     
    “My
pleasure.  It’s true after all.  You are a beautiful woman.”
     
    “Laying
it on a little thick don’t you think?”
     
    “Not
at all.  The last time I tried to play it cool, you decided to leave work
early just so you wouldn’t have to deal with me.  So yeah, I’ll take my
chances.  Besides, I despise telling lies and that is exactly what I would
be doing if I didn’t tell you that even in that situation, there was a part of
me that was just glad that I had another chance to see you that night. 
Although I am painfully aware that I did a horrendous job showing my
enthusiasm.”
     
    She
figured he had groveled for her understanding for long enough but it was hard
to stop him.  He was so cute that all she wanted to do was watch and
listen.  If she didn’t have a class to teach, she most likely would have
done just that.  But some parents were there and even if they weren’t she
didn’t want to neglect her students.  She playfully tapped his shoulder.
     
    “Ryder,
stop being so hard on yourself.  I could tell it was a meeting with some muckety mucks who probably thought more highly of
themselves than they aught.  Based on what you’re saying now the truth is
that some of this is my fault anyway.  If I had just stayed a little
longer you might have come to find me.  So we can share the blame.”
     
    “Alright,
if you insist.”  
     
    It
was then that she remembered her recent conversation with Ava.  
     
    “Actually,
backtrack on that no apology thing.  If you really feel like you need to
apologize to me, I think I just got an idea on how to do so.”  
     
    She
placed her arm in the crook of his and began walking him towards the door.  
     
    “Shoot.”
     
    “Well,
a friend of mine’s getting married soon and I could use a plus one…”
     
    She
bit the corner of her bottom lip and raised her eyebrows, silently praying for
a yes.  
     
    “Absolutely.
 Consider it done.”
     
    She
didn’t know if it was simply the relief of finally being able to give Ava the name
of her wedding date or the prospect of spending an undisclosed amount of time
with tall, tan, and handsome, but she was jumping for joy inside.  If she
had to guess, she would be more inclined to think it was the latter.  They
walked out of the studio door and stood talking. 
     
    “Now
for the real test of your forgiveness.   Can I take you to dinner
this evening?”  
     
    Chelsea
felt her skin tingle in response.  She was sure that even if she had
wanted to say no, she would not be able to.  Her mouth would have rebelled
against her and made its own decision.  His charm had already taken away
all of her inhibitions. She played it off, trying to make sure that she didn’t
look too desperate.  After pausing for a few seconds to “consider” her
schedule, she responded with a shrug.
     
    “I
think that I’d enjoy that.”
     
    “Great!
 I have a few things to take care of today. Obviously you have your hands
full with your students today.  How about around seven o’clock at Chez
Henri?”
     
    Her
eyebrows crinkled and she looked up.  She knew she’d heard of the place
somewhere before. 
     
    “Chez
. . .  Henri . . . Chez Henri.  Wait do you mean the place