Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 80555 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80555 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
I gestured with my fork to cut off that happy thought. “Don’t remind me.”
“And you’ll have your roommates.” Magnus switched to a soothing tone. Likely, the gossip about how my roommates kept pairing up and moving on hadn’t reached him yet, and it wasn’t a topic I wanted to bring up. Tonight was for escape, not deep thoughts. Magnus leaned forward against the bar. “But you could get out. Travel. Come on, what’s one place on your bucket list?”
I took another slow sip of tequila. If I wanted an escape, it wouldn’t hurt to indulge the question, let myself remember for a second who I’d been before Montgomery and the adoptions of the kids. “It’s silly, but I’ve always wanted to visit an island. Like Hawaii or maybe Tahiti if I get crazy.”
“Get crazy,” Magnus urged. His deep, husky voice could tempt even the straightest of dudes, which I most definitely was not. “Dream big.”
“Okay.” For the first time, I grinned back. I liked this game. Not that I was ever traveling to any of these places, but it was fun to dream for a second about leaving Oregon with only a passport and a carry-on. “Thailand might be cool. I love Thai food, and I hear the street-food culture there is amazing.”
“It is.” Magnus gave an erotic moan. “If you like fried chicken, you’d die for the Hat Yai. And I found the most amazing teeny coconut pancakes I’m still trying to duplicate twenty years later.”
“Wow.” I smiled at his obvious joy, then shook my head. “But I shouldn’t even think like that. I’ll likely be paying college bills forever.”
“Nah. Pinch some pennies.” Magnus shrugged like world travel was simply that easy. “Make room for you.”
He met my gaze, hazel eyes more intense than ever. And for the first time, I looked back. Like really looked. The air in the bar shifted, a crisp, cool wind whipping through, or maybe that was simply the sizzle racing up my spine. I glanced away, searching the nearly empty dining room for any convenient distraction as Magnus cleared the small plates.
“The food was really good.” I reached for my wallet. Leaving would be the best idea. “Thank you.”
“You’ll stay for dessert.” His stern tone didn’t leave much room for argument, especially when the server arrived with a small, round flan drizzled with an amber sauce and centered on a square plate. And naturally, Magnus had a third flute of tequila ready to go as well.
“Another tequila?” I decided not to argue with the dessert because I wasn’t used to taking orders and because it looked divine.
“The extra añejo goes with the salted caramel flan. That’s a new menu item, so you’re doing me a solid by testing it out.”
“Uh-huh.” I didn’t buy that reasoning for a minute, but I couldn’t resist taking a taste. “Wow. Yes. That’s good.”
“Any feedback for the chef?” Magnus bent closer to the bar top like my answer actually mattered.
“More of that flaky salt,” I said slowly. Honestly, I was hard-pressed to find constructive criticism on the wonderfully creamy, rich dessert. “The salt tastes expensive, but it’s the perfect complement to the dark caramel.”
“You’ve got a good palate.”
“Nah.” I shrugged off the praise. “I’m small-town Oregon through and through.”
“Doesn’t mean you can’t have an adventurous…appetite.” Magnus made the word appetite sound downright filthy. My skin heated, and I occupied myself with my dessert and tequila while Magnus drifted away to speak with a server wiping down tables. Another was stacking chairs. How was it closing time already?
My chest was pleasantly warm and my head was heavy. I had a definite buzz, but I wasn’t drunk. I fished out my wallet again, summoning one of the servers since Magnus didn’t seem inclined to take my money.
However, it was Magnus rather than the young black-haired woman who returned with my receipt. “How are you getting home?”
“I’ll walk. It’s not far.” I gestured vaguely toward my neighborhood of historic homes. “The tequila hit hard, but I’ll be fine.”
“If you wait, I’ll give you a ride.” Magnus made the offer slowly, like it wasn’t one he made regularly. And he’d coupled it with a decided emphasis on ride and a meaningful stare.
Oh. I was long out of the game, but I knew enough to realize when someone was trying to pick me up. And for the first time in over fifteen years, the words “No, thanks” were nowhere to be found. Instead, I met his gaze. He’d flirted with me every time I’d come in over the past few months, but he was charming with everyone. Like he said, it was good for business. But this felt different. Personal.
And in the shocker of the century, I actually considered it. My attraction to Magnus was an unfortunate reality, and my friends kept gently insisting I couldn’t remain a celibate widower forever. Maybe…