Her attitude throws me, until my brain connects the dots. “What names have you been calling me inside your head?”

Vivian shrugs. “Shrink Shrek.”

“Shrek? Why?”

Her smile turns evil. “You share the same charming temper.”

“You mean, a little grumpy at first, but then a real darling once you get to know us?”

Vivian stares at me. “Something like that.” Then she bursts out laughing. “Funny how we’ve been characterizing each other like green monsters.”

“Glad we’re past that.” I clear my throat. “Now that we’ve clarified why I’m here… May I ask why you’ve decided to stay?”

“I never said I had.”

“You’re still sitting.”

“I told you, you’re great at making me do things I don’t want to do.”

“Just to be clear, you don’t want to be on a date with me? Because if I remember correctly, it wasn’t just me in that elevator.”

She blushes. Then, looking at me with an intense light in her eyes, she says, “No, it wasn’t.”

“Great,” I say, placing my napkin on my legs. “So, can we please stop pretending we don’t like each other and have dinner?”

“Sounds like a good plan.”

Twenty-seven

Vivian

Outside the restaurant, Lucas insists on sharing a cab ride home, even if we don’t live anywhere near each other. Still, I agree.

Dinner was fantastic, and I’m not just talking about the upscale Italian food. When the meal ends, I’m not ready for our date to be over. Now that I’ve let some of my walls down, I can finally admit that I like Lucas. He’s funny, charming, handsome, a stellar kisser…

Oh, who am I kidding? My barriers are lowered all the way, have been for a while.

In the back of the cab on the ride home, we don’t talk. But my heart beats faster and faster the closer we get to my house.

And when the taxi finally stops on my street, the jitters worsen.

I offer to cover the ride, but Lucas refuses, just like he did when I tried to pay my half of the bill at the restaurant. Letting the man pay might be old-fashioned, but I’m okay accepting a little gallantry. Especially if it’s coming from him.

Lucas walks me to the front steps, where I stop to face him.

“You know I can’t invite you in. Tegan is home.”

His smile is positively wicked. “Why on Earth couldn’t I come in while your daughter’s home? Unless…” His eyes widen comically large. “Miss Hessington, don’t tell me you were thinking of doing naughty, naughty things to me.”

My knees melt at the mere mention of naughty things. I haven’t been with a man in forever, and I’m sure Lucas would make the wait worthwhile.