Amusement reflected in his dark brown eyes. “Perhaps you could help me out. I have this date night coming up with my sister….”
Huh? Her eyebrows rose. She knew it was a small, country town, but—
“No, wait.” He held up his hand in a halting motion. “I mean, it’s a double date. With her and her boyfriend. I’m supposed to bring someone. Would you go with me?”
Well, she hadn’t expected that. “I’m not so sure, Jace.”
“I’m sorry.” He fidgeted with the handle on his paper bag. “I should’ve asked if you were seeing someone.”
Michelle bit her tongue to keep from blurting out no, but you are. “I’m not, but wouldn’t you rather ask someone else?”
“Why?” He frowned and appeared genuinely perplexed.
Hmm, what’s a polite way to say this? “I just thought…I might not be your type.”
A scowl formed on his handsome face. “Why wouldn’t you be? You’re perfect.”
His reason for asking smacked her in the face as if he’d flung his bag at her. He needed a cover in front of his sister, who probably had no idea he was gay.
Michelle noticed her fingers thrummed the wood countertop. She laid her palm flat to still the nervous action.
Oh, what the hell? It wasn’t as if she had a social life to speak of. Jace had been nothing but kind to her, bringing her cherry Danishes and coffee from the diner down the road each week when he stopped in. He was the only person in her new small town who’d taken the time to get to know her somewhat. Apparently, everyone else thought she had the cooties or something.
Michelle huffed out a breath. “All right. Sure, why not? Where? And what time?”
“How’s seven p.m. sound? I thought we might grab some dinner in Los Lobos. Is that all right?” When she nodded, his face brightened and he smiled a sinful grin that hit her below the belly.
“Excellent. Jot down your number and address, and I’ll stop by your place at six-thirty to pick you up.”
She did as he asked, printing her phone number and directions on a piece of receipt paper. He leaned forward, laid his hand over hers, and squeezed, sending a strange burst of energy through her arm once more. As he extricated the slip of paper from her grasp, she almost reconsidered. This increasing attraction she felt toward him couldn’t be good.
With a parting devilish grin, he turned and sauntered to the exit, calling back over his shoulder. “I’m looking forward to it, Michelle.”
“Me, too,” she croaked.
Sweet little baby Jesus in a manger, what had she gotten herself into now?