Removing the plates, Gray set them on the table. He didn’t find himself alone for dinner often. Frequently he dined with business associates. Other times, he found an attractive woman sitting across from him. He didn’t mind the solitude tonight. It was nice for a change. It wasn’t that he didn’t like being social, but when it was work related it wasn’t exactly relaxing. Tomorrow, he hoped to find himself relaxing in Kiera’s company.
He’d only invited her skating, but that didn’t mean he had any intention of ending their date after they finished. Unless she refused, he planned to spend the whole day with her, and that included the evening hours. Before he flew back to New York, he intended to explore things between them more.
The previous weekend, she’d aroused him in a way no woman had in a long time—and she hadn’t even tried. Heaven help him if she did. The desire he felt wasn’t the only thing telling him to pursue Kiera. All week, he’d thought about their conversations, both at lunch and at her apartment. It had been like reconnecting with a best friend. A best friend who evoked images of sexy lingerie and big beds.
Gray dug into his chowder and shook his head. Sexy lingerie and beds. No wonder his father feared he was taking over where Trent left off with women. If his father—and the rest of his family—only knew the truth. He hadn’t slept with a woman in months. Sure, he’d taken plenty of women on dates, but he’d done nothing with any of them—even though several had tried. He’d been tempted once or twice, but his head and heart hadn’t been in it.
That wouldn’t be a problem tomorrow.
***
“Hi, Kiera. There’s no emergency, but I need you to call me right away,” her mom said. “It’s important. Love you.” The voice mail message ended and Kiera deleted it.
Not an emergency but important enough that her mom wanted to talk to her right away? What could be up? Hopefully not bad news.
Kiera’s cell phone rang before she could call her mom back. A quick peek at the screen revealed the name Mom on the screen.
Fear made Kiera hesitate. If not an emergency, why call this late? Was Pepe okay? Her grandfather’s doctor had changed his blood pressure medicine last month. What about Meme? Her grandmother had the flu right before Christmas and spent three days in the hospital.
Please no bad news. She pressed talk. “Hi, Mom. What’s wrong? Is Meme in the hospital again?”
“Meme is fine. Your grandparents left on their vacation this morning.”
Kiera let out the breath she was holding
“Everyone’s fine. Like I said in my message, there’s no emergency.”
Thank goodness but why the call?
“Are you alone?” her mom asked.
“Of course. I’m on my way home from work. Why?” Her mom occasionally inquired into her social life, but for the most part, she didn’t pry.
“Gray stopped by tonight. He wanted to know where you worked.”
Kiera took the on-ramp to the highway. “He told me when he stopped in”
Another throat clearing came over the phone. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to date him, honey.”
Kiera almost laughed. In fact, she would’ve if her mom didn’t sound so serious. “Mom—”
“I’ve known Gray all his life and think the world of him, but your dad and I do work for his father. I know we all sometimes forget that because they don’t treat us like employees and Donna and I were friends, but we come from different worlds, honey.
“Mom we’re—”
“And I know you grew up being friends with Gray, but he’s not the settling down type.”
People had said that about Trent at one time, too, and look at him now. “We’re not dating, Mom.” They’d kissed and planned to spend the next day together, but that didn’t equal dating.
“Last week, we were supposed to have lunch, but he had to cancel. He just wanted to reschedule while he’s back in town.” She spoke the truth—more or less. She’d only left out a few details. Her mom didn’t need to know everything.
“Oh.” Her mom didn’t speak for a few seconds. “I guess that’s okay.” Another moment of silence followed. “Just be careful, okay? And remember, your dad and I work for the Sherbrookes.”
Kiera crossed her fingers before she answered. “There’s nothing to worry about, Mom.”
***
Many people hated dentists, but they didn’t bother her. Even when she’d had a mouth full of metal, she hadn’t minded the monthly visit to the orthodontist. Of course, back then, it helped that the visits meant she got to miss school.