Goddess of the Rose (Goddess Summoning #4)(11)

Mikki nodded.

"Not another transient doctor?"

"Well, kind of. This one isn't a medical doctor. He's some kind of professor - an engineer or something. He's guest speaking at TU next week."

Blair's eyes widened. "Get out of town! Sounds dreadfully dull."

"Be nice. I'm trying to be."

Blair's shocked expression froze, and he lowered his voice. "Wait . . . he must be Mr. Dark and Dangerous who's been here for about twenty minutes. Girl, he's not bad at all!"

Mikki felt a little skip of anticipation and tried to remember the description Nelly had given her of Arnold Asher.

"Is he medium height, kind of stocky build, shaved bald head with a small diamond stud in one ear?" she asked.

"That's him. Totally. And he has a yummy mustache. Tony and I were just whispering that he reminded us of a cross between a mob boss and that fabulously sexy Telly Savalas - may he rest in peace." Blair hastily crossed himself.

"Stop it. You're not Catholic."

"Girl, you know I believe in covering all bases."

Mikki rolled her eyes at him. "So what you're saying is that he's cute."

"Cute?" Blair squeaked. "He's simply delicious."

She squared her shoulders. "Well, good. I mean, I didn't expect anything else. You know Nelly wouldn't fix me up with anyone who was hideous." Which was true. But there was a whole hell of a lot more to a man than appearance. "Lead on. I'm ready to meet Mr. Delicious."

Blair took a menu and turned. Over his shoulder in his most professionally snobby ma?tre d' voice, he said, "Follow me please, mademoiselle." He started walking toward the section of the restaurant relegated to its far side.

"Hey." Mikki tugged on his sleeve. "This is the I'm-on-a-sexy-date seating area."

"That's where he asked to be seated," Blair said, eyes sparkling. "Somewhere private."

"Huh," Mikki said.

"You may have gotten more than you bargained for with this one, little missy," Blair said in his truly abominable John Wayne accent.

"Please. No John Wayne tonight. My stomach is already churning from nerves."

"Oh, relax. I have a good feeling about this one."

Mikki followed Blair through the restaurant to the dimly lit side room that held intimate little tables and couples who were close talking. Blair stepped to the side so she could be seen by all the tables. A solitary man wearing a tastefully expensive black jacket and pants with a silk knit sweater underneath that was a lovely shade of cool green looked up from the book he was reading. His head was shaved, and the light caught a small diamond earring in his left ear. Nelly had been honest in her assessment. She had described Arnold Asher as 'attractive, but not in a traditional way.' Mikki had to agree. The man was definitely interesting looking - a little dark and bad boy-ish, and decidedly masculine. She felt a stab of unexpected pleasure. She wasn't attracted to traditionally handsome men - there was something about them that she found too much. After spending time with a "handsome" man, she often felt like she'd eaten too many rich desserts. And all too often she'd discovered that their inside was as empty as their outside was full and attractive. But an unusual or interesting-looking man . . . Mikki watched as he recognized the rose in her hair and waved a hand at her.

"Bingo!" Blair said.

Mikki smiled and strode purposefully forward to meet her date. He stood as she approached his table.

"You must be Mikki Empousai," he said as his eyes slid appreciatively down her body.

"Yes I am, Arnold. It's nice to meet you."

They shook hands. His grip was strong and warm, and as welcoming as his smile.

Blair held her chair out for her, and she sat.

"Wow . . . I . . ." Arnold stumbled over his words, sounding shocked and a little nervous. "I'm sorry, I just suddenly had the overwhelming impression that we've met before, even though I know that's not possible."

"Really?" Mikki laughed a little, enjoying the appreciation that was clear in his eyes. "Do you usually dabble in the psychic? I don't remember Nelly saying anything about that."

His smile stayed warm. "I like to call it being intuitive and willing to be open to new possibilities."

Feeling her face flush with the obvious interest he was showing in her, Mikki's eyes dropped to the book he had been reading. The title was My Losing Season . . .

Mikki gasped, reaching for the hardback. "Pat Conroy! You like Pat Conroy?"

"He's one of my top ten favorite writers," Arnold said.

"Mine, too. I love him! The Prince of Tides; The Great Santini, The Water Is Wide . . . "

"Beach Music, The Lords of Discipline," he continued for her.

"I adored Beach Music."

"So did I. Almost as much as The Prince of Tides. I hated that it got some bad reviews," he said quickly.

"I couldn't agree more! Pat Conroy's prose is magic. I cannot understand how anyone could give him a bad review."

They sat and smiled in happy surprise at each other, and Mikki felt a rush of something she hadn't felt for a long time on a date - hope.

Blair's romantic and totally exaggerated sigh changed into a contrived cough when Mikki glared at him.