As she’d predicted, he couldn’t stand her teasing and snapped up the straw from her hand. “What people? We can’t open the restaurant to the public.”
“You’re right. But we can host a private party, right? Portia’s calling our family and friends as seat warmers.”
“Is there something you haven’t told me?” As he stared down at her, it took everything she had to keep herself from kissing him to erase the stress lines from his forehead.
“No. Of course, if you don’t trust me—” She started to walk away and he caught her arm.
“I trust you,” he said softly. “Stay.”
“Well, it’s not as if I have anything better to do today,” she teased. “Besides, I’ve already put my plans in motion and it would be a shame not to watch it all fall into place.”
“Are you going to let me in on your plans?” he asked quietly, his breath warm on her lips.
She shook her head. “Nope.” Laughing, she put both her hands on his chest, delighted to hear his sharp intake of breath. “Don’t worry. I promise I’ll take care of everything.” She gave him a wink as they heard a man’s voice calling out from the dining room.
She took a deep breath and hoped she’d remember everything she’d studied this past month. “Looks like it’s show time.”
CHAPTER 20
Fate, show thy force. Ourselves we do not owe.
What is decreed must be, and be this so.
William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night, act 1, scene 5
She nailed it. The Internal Revenue Service auditor had arrived promptly at noon with questions to challenge even the most experienced business owner. Lola never blinked, just recited the applicable passages from the tax code and explained how it applied to the situation. The auditor, Norman, who was probably a year from retirement, was baffled by Lola’s ability to spit out the code word-for-word. She had a more difficult time on the practical when it came to showing how they kept their bookkeeping, but maintaining grace under pressure, she calmly focused her energy and took it step-by-step.
An hour after the auditor strolled through the front door, he departed, carrying with him a box of baklava which he’d admitted was his favorite dessert. Not only had Lola passed the audit with flying colors, Acropolis had found a new customer.
Lola stood at the front door, the sun’s rays shining on her like a spotlight. The smooth dress hugged the contours of her body and Braden had to clench his fists to keep from running his hands all over her. She looked every bit the goddess from his dreams, but better, because she was Lola—spunky, opinionated, passionate, and most importantly, real. He may have loved Euterpe in his past lives, but Lola was the woman he loved in this one. She might not be a goddess, but she would always rule his heart, even from clear across the country.
She twirled around then crossed to him. “That wasn’t bad. If the rest of the day goes as well, you’ll have a thirty-year lease by the end of the night.”
He rubbed his sternum with the side of his fist to relieve the sensation of a rubber band tightening around his chest. Even after discovering he’d lied to her, she was still going to give him the lease. “Thirty years, huh?”
She waved her hand. “Give or take.”
He grabbed his chance before she could pull away and tugged her closer. “I know you weren’t working with Jon.”
Their gazes locked and she inhaled shakily. “I’m glad.”
For a second, it was as if the other day hadn’t happened. That magnetic tether still yanked him to her. He pressed his thigh against hers, enjoying the smoothness of the dress fabric against his suit pants. The scent of lavender hit him hard, a hint she was as aroused as he was. She said she forgave him. Could he make her forget as well? She licked her lips and he bent his head to taste them.
Ruining the moment, Portia and Ryan burst through the front door, each carrying a couple of large brown paper bags.
Like teenagers caught by their parents, they jumped back from each other. Lola refused to make eye contact, choosing instead to look at the floor, the walls, her sister. Hell, anywhere but at him. He didn’t care. If his friends hadn’t walked in, he would’ve kissed her. And she gave every indication she would’ve kissed him back. They weren’t finished. Not by a long shot.
He took the bags from Portia and dropped them on the bar. She gave him a small hug then squeezed her sister with enough force to knock over a building. “Sorry it took so long, but the roads are slippery out there.”