He grinned at her as he placed his glass back on the table. “Yes, ma’am. Sometimes they do.”
“Naughty,” she said, smiling back at him as she stood up. “Can you wait until after dinner to kiss me again?”
“If I have to,” he said, though his eyes made a leisurely sweep down her body, making her feel hot and eager and impatient.
She sighed with longing, ruefully wondering if nice restaurants ever packed dinners to go. “I’ll be right back.”
In the restroom, she washed her hands with the coldest possible water and reminded herself to behave. As she exited, she bumped into Ms. Sebastian, who was headed for the kitchen.
“Laire!”
“Ms. Sebastian!”
The older woman reached for Laire, hugging her like a long-lost friend, and though Laire was surprised by the gesture, it felt so good to be hugged, she leaned into the embrace for a moment before pulling away.
“I’m glad to see you again so soon.”
“I came to say I want the job,” said Laire.
“Really? Your father said yes?”
Laire took a deep breath. “Sort of. He thinks I’m working at a place on Ocracoke for now.”
Ms. Sebastian’s face lost some of its warmth. “You lied to him?”
“My sister did,” she said. “She needs him to think I’m taking her job so she could take a promotion to bartender.”
“You sure it’s wise to deceive him like that?”
Laire shook her head. “No, ma’am. But I love my sister, and she has her reasons. I’ll come clean soon.”
“Promise me?”
Laire nodded. “Yes, ma’am. Kyrstin’s getting married the week after next. Then she can do what she wants, and I’ll tell him the truth.”
Ms. Sebastian’s face relaxed, and she nodded. “That sounds okay with me. Can you come on back to my office and fill out some paperwork?”
“Oh,” said Laire, glancing back at the dining room. “Can I fill out the papers tomorrow night when I come to work? I’m . . .”
“You’re . . .,” prompted Ms. Sebastian.
“I’m sort of on a date tonight.”
Ms. Sebastian’s eyes cooled, and she looked over Laire’s shoulder, her eyes landing effortlessly on Erik, who sat alone at a far table by the windows. When she looked at Laire again, her expression was set somewhere between disapproving and worried. “That’s Erik Rexford.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“You’re on a date with the governor’s son.”
We make our own rules. Laire lifted her chin. “Yes, ma’am.”
“I guess you know what you’re doin’, huh?”
“I guess so,” she said, wishing she felt more conviction behind her words.
“Then it’s none of my business.” Ms. Sebastian nodded crisply. “Do you have black pants and a white T-shirt?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Fine. Wear them tomorrow. See you at four.”
“Four, ma’am?”
Ms. Sebastian nodded. “For table setup before the dinner crowd. Is that a problem, Laire?”
“No, ma’am. And when will I be finished?”
“Kitchen closes at nine. Last tables bused by ten.”
Four to ten. Sixty dollars a night. It was a small fortune.
She grinned at her new boss. “Thank you, ma’am. I won’t let you down.”
With one last grim glance at Erik, Ms. Sebastian turned toward the kitchen. “See you tomorrow.”
I got the job!
She watched Ms. Sebastian go, then headed back for her date with Erik with a spring in her step, hoping to sweet Jesus that their date would end with another toe-curling kiss and a lot less talking.
Chapter 7
Almost a week into Laire’s new job at the Pamlico House restaurant, Erik had kissed her at least a dozen more times—always outside the restaurant, under the stars, usually around ten, when she was finally finished with her shift and about to head home.
He arrived every evening between nine and ten and sat at the bar drinking red wine or beer, waiting for her to finish her shift, after which he would meet her behind the restaurant, walk her down to the dock, kiss her senseless for as long as she let him, then wave good-bye as she stepped onto her boat and drove herself home. He stayed out of her way as she worked, catching her eye as she bused a table nearby, or giving her a wink when she picked up a drink order for a busy waiter.
In public, he was her secret admirer.
In private, he was her passion.