“Oh sure; its not really fancy, just very popular.”

He maneuvered the car into a turn lane, and soon we were cruising down toward the infamous Rodeo Drive. All the stores I’d heard about but never been in—Escada, Harry Winston, Armani, Tiffany—lined the street like an elegant strip mall for the filthy rich. Jack noticed my stares and asked, “Somewhere you want to go into after lunch?”

I had a good laugh at that. “Oh sure; my teacher’s salary makes it easy to afford a Gucci wardrobe. Chalk dust wipes right off of leather, you know; its very practical.”

He laughed. “Well, you can always browse—”

I snorted. “I’d walk into one of those places, and they wouldn’t even give me the time of day. Its so obvious I’m not part of this culture its laughable.”

He turned and looked me over carefully as we waited for the light to change. “I don’t know; I think you underestimate yourself.” He winked and then turned his attention back to the traffic, leaving me to laugh and shake my head incredulously.

“You’re incorrigible.”

“Is that a good thing?” The smirk in his voice was unmistakable. I laughed again and gave up.

We pulled off Rodeo and onto a smaller side street with more shops and a few restaurants. He pulled up to a valet standing near the curb who opened the door for me and helped me out. Jack handed him the keys, and I nearly melted as he smiled and placed his hand on the small of my back to steer me through the door.

I could still feel the weight of his hand on my back as we were seated and given our menus. I suddenly worried that I was flirting without realizing it. What if I was sending him signals I didn’t intend to send? I’d never been good at this game, and the last thing I wanted was for him to think I was a tease.

“Grace?” I jumped and nearly dropped the menu, jolting out of my little world of inner angst. He chuckled and smiled apologetically. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to surprise you like that. You were just really quiet for a bit there. Seems to be a habit.”

I could feel my face burning as I shook my head and smiled slightly. “I’m sorry; my mind just started wandering.”

“Uh-oh; I’m that boring, hmm?”

“Yes. Watching paint dry would be more entertaining.” I winked, then shrugged. “Sometimes my thoughts get the best of me. Don’t take it personally.”

“I’ll try not to. Now, what are you thinking of ordering?”