Searching for Mine(26)
Relief flickered over his face. “Good. Wouldn’t want to lose the best neighbor I ever had. Or Luke, of course. He’s an incredible kid.”
“Yeah. I’m kind of crazy about him.”
“He seems to be happy. Making some friends.”
They stared at one another for a bit. Again, the connection hummed between them. Ella cleared her throat. “So I made a decision. Remember when you offered to babysit for me?”
“Yeah?”
“I may need to take you up on that. I found a card for a matchmaking agency called Kinnections. I’m calling them to start the process.”
“Did you say Kinnections?” he asked in disbelief.
“Yeah, why? Have you heard of them? They’re located in Verily.”
He shook his head and grinned. “My brother’s girlfriend is an owner.”
They were interrupted when the waitress came back and placed their dinners on the table. She was young, with pretty blonde hair, a short black skirt, and a gaze that focused solely on Connor. Ella bit back her irritation while she fluttered around him and completely ignored her. He shot the girl his standard, charming smile, and she practically sighed with pleasure.
“Thanks, darlin’. I appreciate you working so hard.”
The girl boldly stared at him, cat green eyes hungrily roving over his body. “Don’t mind working for a man who appreciates it.”
“Well, I do appreciate it. Your pretty face brightened up my day.”
Ella blanched at the awful line, but the girl smiled with pride. “Well, you can brighten my day anytime.”
What? Oh, she was so going to lose it.
Ella cleared her throat. “Yes, thanks so much for doing your job. We’re good.” The waitress shot her a glare, then slunk away. Ella pointed her fork at him. “What’s wrong with you? I don’t care if you flirt with every female in a skirt, but why do you have to sound like you have zero intelligence? I mean, darlin’? You’re not even Southern!”
He frowned. “I was just trying to lift her spirits. Waitressing is hard work.”
She ground her teeth in frustration. “Then don’t thank her for having a pretty little face! Thank her for working hard and anticipating our needs as customers. Ugh, it’s like you dragged womankind back a few decades. How do you get away with this stuff?”
He gave a suffering sigh. “Now you sound like Nate and Kennedy. I never had complaints before, okay? Women seem to like it.”
“Well, they shouldn’t. And if they do, you’re dating the wrong type of women,” she muttered.
“Can we go back to our original subject? I can call Kennedy and tell her you’ll be calling. She may even be able to give you a discount. I’m excited for you. They screen all their clients and match you with a guy who’s right for you. It’s thorough and safe.”
She picked up her fork and dug into her lasagna. Did he have to sound so damn excited about her suddenly dating? “Sounds good.”
He began eating his ravioli. “They do a consultation and a makeover, too. It’s all included in the price.”
A flash of pain cut through her. She’d never be a woman to inspire a man to rip off her clothes and tumble her on the ground. But she’d be damned if she’d settle for the dregs of his pity for the poor, single mom. Did he want her to get a makeover that bad? If he was so turned off by her appearance, had he kissed her out of obligation? To make her feel better about herself? Shame burned.
She tried to keep her voice light and teasing though she squirmed inside. “Didn’t know you were so excited about hooking me up, Dunkle? Trying to keep me distracted for a bigger curve on your upcoming assignment?”
He grinned. “Nah, I know how that works now. No more pissing off my professor. I just think you deserve to be happy, Ella. You’re, well, you’re—” he stopped off, shaking his head. He rarely stumbled over words or compliments toward females, so she studied him with interest.
“I’m what?”
“You’re an incredible woman,” he said softly. “You deserve...everything.”
She sucked in her breath. Raw emotion flooded her system, but she had no time to answer. Luke came racing back, shoveling spaghetti and meatballs in his mouth in between trading bad knock-knock jokes with Connor.
Ella told herself to forget his intimate words and the way he made her feel. He was right. It was time to move on.
It was time to join Kinnections.
Chapter Ten
“A woman, especially, if she have the misfortune of knowing anything, should conceal it as well as she can.” –Jane Austen
Spring rolled in like a lamb, leaving the lion’s roar far behind. The days turned sunny, and as the snow melted into oblivion, flowers and trees peeked their heads out, deciding it was safe to finally come out and play.