NICE GIRL TO LOVE (THE COMPLETE THREE-BOOK COLLECTION)(38)

One of the most expensive restaurants in the area.

Her heart couldn’t take much more. “Sounds great. I’ll call you so we can plan a time.” She quickly took her last suitcase from him and shoved it in her ‘SUV’—even she was using the quotation marks now. She slammed the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow then?”

“Tomorrow.”



Abby felt her breathing go haywire when she heard the doorbell ring.

Aside from the one brief phone call they’d had to confirm what time he’d be picking her up tonight, they hadn’t spoken at all since she’d moved back to her cottage. Twenty-four hours. She’d spent nearly that entire time at the library—reading, writing, arranging her books by cover color instead of topic. Anything in her power not to think about Connor.

Now here he was.

And all the work she’d put into walling up her heart was soon going to be tested.

“Hi, Connor.”

Talk about failing with flying colors.

She was right back where she started weeks ago, losing herself in his intense blue gaze.

“You look gorgeous, Abby.”

“Thanks. So do you.” It occurred to her that in all their time together, they hadn’t once gone out on a date.

Now she saw why.

They stood there awkwardly for a moment before he reached out and dragged her into his arms. “God, I’ve missed you.”

The last bit of her ineffectual wall came crumbling down. “I’m sorry I moved our dinner to tonight,” she blurted out then as she slid her arms around his waist.

He leaned back and brushed a thumb against her cheekbone. “Feeling bad about that are we?”

“Yes.”

“Good.” His lips came down on hers swiftly. The kiss was frantic, hungry. Just this side of angry.

By the time he pulled back, the room was spinning. “Don’t ever shut me out like that again, Abby. Not unless you mean it.”

No. She wouldn’t push him away anymore. Couldn’t. “Do you want to cancel our dinner reservations and eat here instead?” she asked softly, hopefully.

He slid his hand through her hair. “Actually, I’m kind of looking forward to having a night out with you.”

“But—”

“Let’s go out tonight, Abby. Let me prove to you that we can do this.”

How was it that he knew exactly what she was worried about? “You sound so sure.”

“I am.” He put his arm around her and tugged her over to the driveway.

To his beautiful powder black car.

With the bench seats she loved so much.

She smiled up at him. “Is your Lexus in the shop?”

He grinned back. “Nope. I told you, I’m going to prove to you that we can do this. You and I can be together and be ourselves out there in the big bad world.”

“So you’re going to a fancy establishment where you’ll likely run into clients and colleagues?” With me. “In an old muscle car. Just to prove a point?”

“Abby, I’d pull up riding on the handlebars of Skylar’s pink bicycle...hell, I’d drive up in your car to prove this particular point.”

She burst out laughing.

“You don’t believe me?” He reached for her purse. “Hand over the keys.”

“No!” She giggled and ran the rest of the way to his car. “We can’t go to a five-star restaurant in my car!”

Connor pinned her against the passenger door, capturing her lips in a deep, soul-searing kiss.

It wasn’t until about five seconds after the kiss ended that she realized he’d gone and pickpocketed her purse.

A half hour later, Abby was still whacking him on the arm.

“That valet kid thought we were punking him.” Another whack. “I swear, he kept looking around like a bunch of TV cameras were going to come rushing out.”

“I know.” He chuckled. “Did you see his expression when I slipped him a twenty and told him to make sure to park it somewhere safe?”

“Stop.” Whack. “Making fun of.” Whack. “My car!”

“Yes, this is far less embarrassing. Quick, sucker punch me in the gut. I think I see a lawyer from a competing law firm I’m facing in court on Monday.”

She instantly dropped her hands back to her sides. “This isn’t over,” she hissed.

“Oh, I know. And I’m counting the minutes till we get home to see just what you’ll do next.”

Home.

She had no idea whose home he was referring to, but at least they’d be there together.

As the ma?tre de led them to a corner table with a stunning view of the city, Abby couldn’t help but sigh with pleasure. Not because they were in the most elegant restaurant she could ever imagine.

But because she was starting to believe.

“Thank you,” she said quietly. “For proving your point.”

Connor smiled back. “I think I’d much prefer a ‘you were right.’”

She flicked open her menu. “I’ll keep that in mind if one day you ever are.”

His soft, tickled laughter died a quick death when a slick as silk voice rang out from the next table over. “Why look Lynn, it’s Connor.”