Priceless Treasure(36)

“Your sister has only great things to say about you. I feel as if I already know you,” he said. “Shall we go inside?”

Shall we? Wow. Good-looking and manners to boot. So far, so good.
#p#分页标题#e#
“I haven’t eaten here yet, and I’m starving, so I hope it’s good,” Savannah said. When she realized her words, she blushed a little. Should she admit she was that hungry? Wasn’t she supposed to order a salad on a first date? To hell with that. She never had been one of those size-zero types. She wasn’t in any way heavy, but she just decided, most of the time at least, to embrace her curves.

“Nice. Me too — I mean that I’m also in that condition,” he said as he opened the door for her. “I’m glad you aren’t one of those girls — sorry, women — who come to a great bistro and then just order lettuce and no dressing.”

No. That certainly wasn’t her. Not unless there was a man near her who was making her stomach churn. A man like Ashton Storm. No way! She would not think of that man’s name while she was on a date with another guy. It was rude and it was stupid.

They were shown to their table, a nice intimate seat in the back of the room with a low-hanging modern chandelier over the center. This Darren fellow had chosen well for a first date.

“Do you prefer red or white wine?” he asked as he looked at the drink menu.

“White please, and not too dry. I’ll warn you now that I just drink the wine I like and don’t worry about pairing it with my food.” It was better to let him know at the outset that she wasn’t a food snob. Kalli, she was certain, would be horrified by such a statement. Dang! She was getting far too near to Ashton territory again.

“Good, Savannah. I’m the same way.”

Was he? She had no idea, but he earned a few more points in the good-guy column.

Once their order was placed, her date focused solely on her. It was a little overwhelming with those bright eyes of his, which seemed to have a permanent sparkle to them. How in the world was this man still single? And why didn’t she feel a tightening in her stomach when he was sitting so close?

“How do you know my sister, Darren? Did you serve overseas with her?”

“No. I met her before she left for Africa, and we continued our friendship over email while she was away. I did get to go there about six months ago with a buddy of mine.”

“Doing what?” she asked.

“I’m an architect. My friend develops affordable housing there, and I helped him do some builds on my time off. I enjoyed it the first time so much that I’m most likely going back each year.”

Dang! This guy was a freaking saint. She reached out and touched his hand, wanting so much to feel a spark. Nothing … What in the hell was the matter with her? She wasn’t going to give up quite yet.

“Wow, that’s an interesting job. Do you love it?” If she weren’t so in love with the ocean, architecture would have been her career choice.

“Yes, I knew from the time I was a boy playing with Legos that I was going to create unique buildings. And the first time I saw a finished project of mine, I just stood in front of it in awe. I don’t think I left for like six hours. I still occasionally stroll by that place. It’s my favorite.”

He was obviously proud of what he did, but he wasn’t acting arrogant about it. The conversation enthralled her — it was no wonder her sister liked him so much — and before she knew it, she and Darren were laughing as they shared dessert.

All too soon it was time to leave. As he stood and helped her up, she once again thought approvingly of his manners. Then she was filled with more disappointment. His hand was resting on her lower back as they left the restaurant, and she still felt no hint of excitement.

Savanna decided right then and there that she must be suffering from a disorder of some sort. Seriously!#p#分页标题#e#

Darren insisted on walking her back to the docks, and Savannah secretly delighted in that. She liked a gentleman. Yes, much of the etiquette was silly, but gentlemanly behavior was something her father had never displayed in any way. So she liked having her chairs being held for her and her doors being opened. She especially liked a man who insisted that she make it to and inside her door safe and sound. Granted, she didn’t have much of a door right now. She had a boat. A boat that didn’t belong to her.

“I’ve had a nice evening, Savannah. I would love to see you again soon,” he said as they stepped up to the boat.

Should she go out with him again? Did she even have time? But what would it hurt? She wasn’t seeing anyone, unlike her snarky boss. She was free and young and still had about two months before school started, at which time dating would be a no-no.