“You go shake people's hands,” I told Bastian, waving him off with my hand. “I'll get the tickets set up for Mr. Fairchild.”
He grinned one last time before heading out of the kitchen and back into the fray.
I looked down at the counter. All my cheese and crackers were gone, but I was still hungry. I sighed. I would have to figure out something for dinner soon, but first I needed to do my job.
I pulled out my phone and sent a quick email to Bastian's secretary about getting everything arranged. Private jet, limo pickup- the usual. Then a quick text to tell her to check her email. I grinned, knowing that I had Bastian's staff trained well. It certainly made my job a lot easier.
I put the cheese dish in the dishwasher and headed back to the auction room. The closer I got, the more crowded it became. I saw Bastian shaking hands with Jack while Emma clutched what looked like a small painting to her chest.
I turned, thinking I would check with the auction house one last time and ran smack dab into Leo's chest. His masculine strength and scent surrounded me as he chuckled. I put my hand on his chest in an attempt to steady myself, but just touching him made my head spin faster. I could feel the muscles of his chest through his dress shirt.
“Leo!” I gasped, still spinning on having him near. I loved the way his name felt in my mouth- it was almost like kissing him.
“Charlotte,” he replied with a smile. Damn, that smile made my heart flutter. How did he make me feel so nervous? I'd known him for ten years, yet he still made my heart flutter and stomach flip like I was still thirteen staring up at the handsome college man.
“Hi,” I murmured, not taking my hand off him.
“Congratulations on the successful auction,” he said, looking around the auction. His hand covered mine, keeping it pressed to his chest. “I heard everything sold.”
“The auction house will have the final numbers for me, but it looks like we surpassed our goals.” I nodded, desperately trying to keep a professional face on since we were still very much in a public place. The heat of his hand was sending my thoughts skittering like marbles, though. “I saw you bid on several items. Thank you.”
Leo shrugged like bidding on paintings worth hundreds of thousands of dollars was nothing. “I liked them. And it all goes to a good cause. The money isn't just going to kids like Bastian. It's going to kids like you.” His eyes focused on mine and dilated slightly. “I would help you a million times over.”
Heat flushed in my cheeks and I bit my lip trying to keep myself from spiraling into giddiness. “Thank you, Leo,” I whispered.
He leaned forward, his hand still pressing mine to his chest, until he could whisper in my ear. “What are you doing right now?”
“Right now?” I shivered with anticipation of having his lips so close. I wanted another kiss so ba
dly. “I was going to go get something to eat and then open a bottle of wine and watch the sun set. Why?”
Please, please say you want to do that with me... I silently begged. We can even skip the wine and the sunset...
“Would you be interested in eating with me? I have reservations for two,” he replied, his breath tickling my cheek.
“Yes,” I replied immediately, my voice coming out squeaky and far too excited. One of the auction guests looked over weirdly at me and my fevered reply, but I didn't care. The butterflies in my stomach were doing a cheer routine over the fact that we were going to eat together. I cleared my throat, attempting to use my professional voice. “Yes, I would love that.”
“Good,” he said with a grin that lit up his eyes. “Go change into something comfortable, and meet me in the kitchen in ten minutes.”
“Okay,” I breathlessly responded. On impulse, I kissed his cheek before darting away to go change.
When I looked back, his hand was on his cheek and he was smiling.
***
Upstairs, I quickly put on a sundress and ran a brush through my hair. It felt good to be out of my work clothes and heels and in something light. I carefully put my glasses in their case on my nightstand. They were just for work and mostly to adjust for screen glare, but they seemed to make my intelligence more believable.
I glanced one last time at the mirror, making sure I looked ready. The mirror me grinned back, looking happier than I had in years. I let my dark hair stay loose around my shoulders, but put a rubber band around my wrist in case I needed it put up later. I couldn't believe the sparkle that Leo could put in my brown eyes.
Dinner with Leo meant kissing with Leo. Maybe more than kissing. I did a little happy dance around the room, glad that no one could see me. This was the kind of thing I had dreamed of for years.
With minutes to spare, I ran downstairs to the kitchen. I wondered if we were going to Adele's restaurant, or someplace else. Leo had said to dress comfortably, so I knew we couldn't be going anywhere fancy. The surprise of it was intoxicating.
Leo was waiting for me, standing by the kitchen door with a large picnic basket. He wore simple well-worn jean shorts and a clean white t-shirt that made the light blue of his eyes even more prominent. My middle turned to gooey mush at the sight of him.
“Ready?” he asked, grinning as I came forward. The late afternoon sunlight was already brightening the kitchen and highlighting the golds in Leo's short hair.
I nodded, too much excitement welling up within me to speak. I was going on a date with Leo. A real date. Not an imaginary one, or a lunch meeting, or accidentally ending up at the same bar- a real, live date.