Inside, they were led to a table in the middle of the big busy dining room. Mac held her chair for her and then sat to her left rather than across the table. It pleased her that he wanted to sit so close to her, but Maddie felt the eyes of everyone in the room focused on her as heat crept up her neck to settle in her face.

“What’s wrong?” Mac asked.

“Everyone is looking at us.”

“They’re wondering how I managed to get such a beautiful woman to have dinner with me.”

Maddie shot him a withering look. “Sure they are.” She took a drink from her glass of ice water. “Want to know what they’re really thinking?”

He reached for her hand and linked his fingers with hers, sending a clear message to anyone who was watching. “I couldn’t care less.”

And just like that, he diffused her anxiety. Why did she care? “It must be nice to go through life not giving a thought to what anyone thinks of you.”

“I’ve had it a bit easier on that front than you have.”

When the waiter returned to the table, Mac perused the wine list and ordered a bottle of red. “Is there something else you’d rather have?” he asked Maddie.

“No, wine is fine. Thank you.”

“Very good,” the waiter said. “I’ll be right back to take your order.”

Maddie scanned the menu and didn’t see a single entree for less than thirty dollars.

“What looks good to you, hon?” Mac asked.

“I’m not really that hungry. I’ll probably just go with soup.”

“Oh, come on. You can do better than that.”

“Really, that’s all I want.”

He put down his menu and leaned in close to her. “What’s the matter, Maddie?”

Her face once again heated with embarrassment. That had happened more since she’d known him than in her whole life before him. “The prices are ridiculous,” she whispered.

“Maddie, honey, please. Have whatever you want.”

“I could live for two weeks on what this one meal will cost.”

“Would you rather go somewhere else?” He brought her hand to his lips. “I want you to have a good time tonight. I don’t care where we go.”

“I’m sorry. You’re trying to do something nice, and I’m ruining it.”

“You’re being practical, and I’m being frivolous.”

“I can’t help it. I haven’t had much of a chance to be frivolous.”

“Would you mind letting me spoil you a bit? Just for tonight? Pick something fabulous that makes your mouth water just reading about it—and don’t look at the cost.”

“I don’t know if I can do that.”

“Then I’ll do it for you.” He flipped open the menu. “You’ve told me you love shrimp. How about the scampi?”

She wrinkled her nose. “Too garlicky.”