Ryan stuffed his hands in his pockets. “What do you do here?” he asked, trying to prolong their time together. “If I wanted to get a gift for someone, would you be the person to speak to?”
“I could help, but you’d be better off talking to one of the seasoned sales reps. I’m finishing up my summer job here, and I work in visual merchandising.”
“Summer job? Do you live in Chicago, or . . . ?”
“I’m a Southern girl, and I . . . look, I have to go. It was really sweet of you to say hello.”
“Have dinner with me,” he blurted as she turned away.
Her eyebrows lifted in surprise. “Are you serious?”
“As a hostage situation.”
Her eyes darted away so he couldn’t read her thoughts. A light breeze blew hair across her face, and he almost reached up to brush away the fine strands that caressed her cheek and wrapped around her neck. She tucked the fluttering strands behind her ear.
Her brow furrowed. “Why me?” she asked. “Out of all these women walking around out here.”
“There are other women out here?” Ryan looked around at the pedestrians as if seeing them for the first time. “I didn’t even notice. I only have eyes for you.”
A beat later, they both burst out laughing.
“Good one,” Shawna said. “Have you used it before?”
“First time. I thought of it on the fly. Good though, right?” He stopped grinning and looked her in the eyes to make sure she knew how serious he was. “But I meant it. Let me buy you dinner.”
“Ryan, I’m not interested in seeing anyone right now. You seem very sweet, but I’ll be leaving in a couple of days, so I don’t think this is a good idea.”
He couldn’t let her get away. She had to say yes. He’d come to Chicago to clear his head, and somehow he knew she’d play an important role in helping him finalize the decision he’d been struggling to make.
“It’s only dinner.” He could see her waver as she shifted from one foot to the other and tucked her purse closer to her body. “When do you get off?”
She laughed nervously. “This is ridiculous.”
“No, it’s not. You have to eat and I want to feed you. Makes sense to me.” He hoped that by keeping the conversation light, she wouldn’t overthink it and slip from his grasp, leaving him standing there with no way to see her again. “What kind of food do you like?”
Shawna shook her head in defeat. “French cuisine is my favorite.”
“And when do you get off?”
“At six.”
“I’ll be here at five-fifty, waiting.”
“If you’re not, it’s no big deal.” She shrugged.
He fixed his gaze on her face. “I hope that’s not true.”
She hesitated, tilting her head slightly, brown eyes observing him as if trying to figure him out. She obviously still doubted his sincerity.
“I’ll see you at six, Ryan Stewart.”
Chapter Four
Present day, Atlanta
Somehow, Ryan had charmed Shawna into accepting his invitation to dinner that day. She could tell some of the charm was still there, though she noted differences in him that came with age. He still had an easygoing, affable personality, but his face had matured and he had bigger muscles, causing him to exude an overt masculinity that called out to her femininity.
She closed her menu when the waitress arrived. After some prodding from Ryan, she’d decided to order a meal instead of an appetizer. Yet again he’d gotten his way. He’d reminded her of where they were, and she couldn’t resist placing an order for one of her favorite dishes.
She chose the salmon with beurre blanc and roasted vegetables, while Ryan opted for a meal of steak medallions with potatoes and haricot verts. To start, they each ordered a cup of the French onion soup.
The waitress tried to tempt them with wine, but knowing she’d need to keep a clear head, Shawna declined. She requested water with lemon and Ryan selected a bottle of Orangina soda.