I winced. “When we got back, I found out you were working for my grandmother. That made you off limits.”
She waited a beat. “I still work for your grandmother.”
“I know, but I’m finding it impossible to care about that anymore.” I leaned against the doorframe, feeling like I was losing this battle. “I know I’m an asshole.”
“You got that right.”
“I know it’s against the rules—”
“What rules?”
I sighed. “The point is, Andi, I like you. A lot. I have since the moment I pulled up to the angel standing on the side of the road and she hopped on my bike for a ride.”
Her scowled lessened. I took that as a good sign.
“All I’m asking for is breakfast.”
She arched a brow. “Like a date?”
“No, not like a date. A date. You and me.” God, please say yes. I felt like the biggest idiot sharing all this with her. If it didn’t convince her I was sincere, she now had all sorts of ammo to use against me.
“What about it being wrong? A mistake?”
I didn’t know how to answer because in my mind, there was still so much that could make this a bad idea. Finally, I said, “What feels wrong is that I want to spend time with you and I’m not. And I don’t mean that way we do back home where we snipe and banter. I know you’ll find this hard to believe, but I can be charming.”
Her lips twitched up into a lovely smile. “I do find that hard to believe.”
“Go to breakfast with me and I’ll prove it to you. I know a great place not far from here and then we can go to the office together.”
She hesitated for a moment.
“Where’s the daring woman I met years ago that let me take for a ride?” I pushed hoping to goad her.
“She’s not as daring as she used to be.”
I took a chance and tugged on one of the loose curls hanging by her cheek. “I don’t believe it.”
“Yeah, okay. Let me get my purse.”
She started to shut the door and I realized that I still had some work to do as she wasn’t going to let me wait inside. But a few moments later she appeared.
I took her to an authentic local restaurant that served some traditional fare. The place was well-known for French toast.
“Try the milk tea,” I said when we sat down. “They serve it in glass bottles.”
She eyed me suspiciously still, but I saw the hint of a smile. She wanted to enjoy her time with me, but was wary of it. If I was patient, she’d come around. At least, I hoped so.
“What are you having?” she asked.
“French toast. It’s popular here. And milk tea.”
She nodded accepting my suggestion. When our food was served, she asked, “Is this one of the places you discovered on your travels?”
“Yes. I would visit the touristy sights, but my real interest was off-the-beaten path. Carter was a big help in that.”
She nodded. “Do you wonder if he’ll miss traveling now that he’s settled with Jess and Tanner?”
I shook my head. “First, he sees his life with them as an adventure. Second, there will be a time when they all travel as a family, so it’s not like he’ll be missing out.”