I followed his move, taking in the spectacular array of dinner options. “I try not to talk about my personal life at work.”
“What about on a date?” he asked, peeking up at me.
I met his gaze, challenging him. “You don’t date.”
“I could make an exception.”
“What?” I snorted. “Like now?”
He shrugged. “Why not?”
“I’m sitting here, barefoot, covered in sand, and drowning in an old Lakers hoodie. This is not a date. This is charity.”
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t want to be.” Adam tapped his finger on the table as he took in my appearance. “And you look fucking adorable in my hoodie.”
I looked away, trying to hide my smile. “Well, I don’t think I’m ready to attempt another date just yet.”
“What about dinner with a friend?”
“Wait…” I gushed dramatically as I turned back to him. “Are you referring to me as your…friend?”
Laughter erupted from his lips. “Jesus, Cass, there aren’t many people on this earth who can make me laugh the way you do.”
“That’s a shame,” I said, enjoying his unusually light mood. “It’s a lovely sight.”
His grin widened. “You like it, huh?”
“It’s like seeing an endangered animal in the wild.”
Adam shook his head with a chuckle.
“There you go lighting up the room again!” I couldn’t help but tease.
He ran his hand over his reddening cheeks, assessing the room for witnesses.
“Blushing is rarer than laughing.” I dipped behind the oversized menu, and I peeked back when he didn’t move. “Come on, we better order before you pull a facial muscle.”
While Adam pressed his twitching lips together and read the menu, I narrowed down my choices.
“Order anything you want,” he said as the waiter approached.
“But there are no prices.”
“Cassidy…” He waited until I lifted my gaze. “I’m a billionaire. I think I can cover it.”
I reviewed my options once more. “Fine.” I looked up at the waiter. “I’ll have the seafood platter for two.”
Adam’s brows raised. “I guess that’s it, then,” he said, handing back his menu.
“Oh, I’m not sharing.”
He stared at me, clearly trying to work out if I was joking. “Fine. I’ll have the eye fillet. Rare.”
From that point on, our conversation revolved around Liam and Harlow Manor. They were safe topics with no chance of any sexual innuendo, and I could finally relax in Adam’s company.
“I think I ordered too much,” I groaned halfway through my meal.
“You think?”