Her success had surprised even her, but she probably wouldn’t have accomplished what she had so quickly if it weren’t for what had happened between her and Ryan. She’d put all her time and energy into the store, working hard to forget him and his lies, slicing in half her timetable to open the boutique.
The waitress arrived with the drinks and the soups.
“Thank you,” Shawna said, about to dig in when she felt Ryan’s gaze on her and saw the longing in his eyes. Her insides twisted painfully.
“Do you remember our first night together?” he asked.
She moistened her lips with her tongue but regretted it when he zeroed in on her mouth. Taking in a slow, deep breath, she wiped her damp palms on the napkin in her lap. “Are you going to keep doing that?”
“Doing what?”
“Make references to our night together.”
“I thought that’s why we were here.”
“You’re mistaken. We’re here to catch up, not talk about the past.”
“I don’t think we can have one without the other.”
“You’re mistaken again.”
He fell quiet and his silent observation caused a curious sensation to settle in her stomach. Ryan made her feel on edge and she had a sudden urge to scoot her chair back. The square table between them no longer seemed adequate.
“Are you telling me you don’t think about it?” he asked quietly. “What it was like that first night?”
She’d thought about it often and had unfairly compared all her first dates and every other man to him over the years. They invariably fell short. Hard to believe how one night changed her life so much.
She shrugged, pretending a nonchalance she was far from feeling. “Every now and again.”
He leaned forward. “Liar.”
Heat burned her cheeks, and she was grateful for her dark complexion so he couldn’t see her embarrassment. “What do you want me to say?”
“I want you to admit that you think about it often, because I do. I have yet to meet a woman who measures up to you. The memory is as vivid as if it had been yesterday. I remember taking you out to dinner and you wore that bluish colored dress from work.”
Teal, she corrected in her head. She remembered what he wore, too. He’d dressed up to impress her.
“I remember the look on your face when I pulled up in front of the restaurant.”
“It was a nice restaurant. And a very expensive one, too.”
His unwavering gaze held hers. “You were worth every dime. And more.”
Chapter Five
Chicago, Friday, six years ago
Shawna couldn’t hide her surprise when Ryan returned to Saks dressed in a white shirt, tie, and pressed slacks. He’d shaved off the day-old facial hair, and she smelled a hint of musk from his aftershave.
Her brows lifted. “You clean up well.”
“I didn’t make a good first impression so I figured I’d better bring my A-game. I passed this time?” Arms outstretched, he turned in a slow circle.
He definitely had a nice body and she whistled, noting the firm butt and narrow waist. “Not bad, Mr. Stewart.”
“Which reminds me. You owe me something.”
“What’s that?”
“A last name.”
“It’s Ferguson.”
“Shawna Ferguson,” he said, as if committing it to memory.
“By the way, my co-workers have your name and they’re writing down your license plate number as we speak. So don’t do anything crazy.”
“I wouldn’t dream of doing anything crazy—unless you want me to.” He drew a laugh when he wagged his eyebrows, and then he looked at the store to see two women standing at the window. He waved and they waved back. Returning his gaze to Shawna, he crooked his arm. “Your chariot awaits.”
She looped her arm through his and followed to the illegally parked Lexus at the curb. She was enjoying this way too much even though she hardly knew him.
“Nice chariot.”
“It’s my brother’s and so are the clothes.”
“Maybe I should be going to dinner with your brother.”
“Watch your mouth.”