Mrs. Top winked at her and giggled like a teenager before the two left the restaurant. Kenzie and Denise met each other’s gazes and grinned.
“I better start taking my own advice and look around me for what’s been there all the time.”
“I’m saying,” Denise quipped.
After she finished advising Denise, they sat chatting about men in general, and Kenzie confided about her crazy meeting with Easton.
“Wow, was he really that cute?”
“He was so hot, you could burn yourself looking at him,” Lisa interrupted.
Kenzie laughed. “Dramatic much?”
The other woman shrugged and moved on down the counter.
“Whatever he was,” Kenzie said, “I don’t expect to see him again.”
“Why do I hear disappointment?”
“’Cause you crazy. Now get out of here. Some people have to work.”
She shooed her friend away and prepared for the evening crowd. At long last, the day ended, and she closed up shop. The night air had grown brisk, and she tugged her collar higher and closed the top button. Soon she would need to dig out her winter coat, something she looked forward to because it meant cozy nights curled up with a good book and a hot cup of cocoa, her winter ritual. Which again proves I could use a man.
Approaching the corner, she spotted the front end of a black car, and butterflies danced in her belly. No way it was him. More than the Tremaines rode around in limos. She was wrong. Easton stepped from the vehicle as she drew up, and fell into step beside her. She kept her eyes on the road ahead.
“Hello,” he intoned, his deep, rich voice sending chills down her spine.
“Hey.” She dared to peek over at him. Tonight he wore a bomber jacket and gray slacks. The jacket lay open and revealed a button-up white shirt. This was casual for him, she guessed. Either way, he looked good enough to eat. A whiff of something manly reached her on the cool breeze, and she breathed it in. Nothing wrong with enjoying his presence. She’d never get serious about someone like him. “Are you stalking me?”
Insult transformed his face, and she laughed.
“You’re easy.”
He grumbled. “I don’t understand you. I think it’s good you turned me down yesterday.”
“For helping you find a wife?”
“For marrying me.”
She bristled and stopped walking. “Wow, you get many women with that mouth?”#p#分页标题#e#
“I get more than my share.”
“Who you are gets them.”
They faced each other, both with their backs up. She didn’t think he had the right to be annoyed at what she said.
“Tell me why you hate me,” he insisted.
“I don’t hate anyone.”
“Then tell me why you won’t help me.”
She began walking again. A man just ahead turned in their direction, and Kenzie knew what he would say before she got to him. She dug in her pocket for the couple dollars she’d put there in anticipation of running into someone needing it.
“Excuse me, ma’am,” the man began.
“Here you go.” She smiled and handed over the money.
“Oh, thank you so much. I appreciate it.” He strode away quickly, no doubt to keep from being caught soliciting in Boston with less than thirty minutes until sunset. The ordinance meant nothing to her if someone needed her help.
Easton, quiet at her side, caught her attention. “Is something wrong?”
The dark brows lowered over snapping eyes. “You realize he was a conman?”
“I don’t know that. He could have been an angel in disguise.”
He stared at her.
“With all your privilege, you don’t give to those less fortunate?”
His lips compressed before he spoke. “We own several foundations to which I give generously.”
“Ah-huh.”
She knew her lack of reaction annoyed him and barely contained her amusement. Provoking had become enjoyment.
“We give to cancer research for children and offer seed money grants for the less fortunate to start up businesses.”
“That’s commendable.” She couldn’t help herself. “Nothing touches me more than helping kids, and I get excited about entrepreneurs. I think everyone should be in business for themselves.”
He nodded. Surprise came into those amazing eyes when she stopped walking and turned in at her brownstone. Easton studied the steps leading up to the double black doors. She guessed he had trouble keeping the frown off his face.
“This is where you live?”
“Yes, and I love my little condo.” She started up the stairs, digging her key from her pocket. “Come inside. I’ll cook you dinner.”