“We’ve got your seat waiting for you,” he said.
“Wait? Seat?” she asked, looking from Steven to Chris.
“Thank you,” Chris said, escorting her through the room. She’d never eaten at the restaurant as she spent enough time serving customers rather than being the customer.
He helped her into her seat. She glanced over toward the bar where they served drinks. Rachel reached for the menu. Chris stopped her from taking the menu with the prices on. There was no way she could afford this place, and she always put half toward lunch.
“Chris, I need to see the cost.”
“No, you don’t. You’re eating with me. I can afford this food.”
“Even working part time?” she asked. She’d been by the phone this morning when the call went to answer phone. The head of the hospital was begging for Chris to change his mind. The hospital needed him as he was a good doctor.
“I was going to tell you about that soon.”
“When? You love taking care of people.” Rachel folded her arms, glaring at him.
“We’ll talk about this another time. What do you want to eat?” he asked, ignoring her question.
“Whatever is cheaper,” she said, glaring at him. She served food in the bar but never actually took the time to look at the menu. Rachel didn’t have the first clue what was cheapest.
“Why are you being so difficult?”
She glanced toward the kitchen doors. For once the doors were open, and she got a clear shot of the kitchen. Rachel saw Richard working and knew Chris had done this on purpose.
“Why did you bring me here? What have you got against me going on a date?” She leaned forward ready to grill him some more when the waiter arrived. It was Jared, and he wore a smile on his face.
“Rachel, it’s great to see you here.”
Chris took over, ordering their food. No wine was ordered. It was too early for wine, and she hated the stuff.
“I’ll tell Richard you’re here.”
She smiled even though the last thing she felt like doing was smiling.
“He seems nice,” Chris said.
“Will you be settling down with someone?” she asked, bringing the focus back around to him. She liked Richard, but he never gave her a buzz like Chris did. Rachel cursed her thoughts. After all this time she was still comparing the way men made her feel to Chris. He was never going to be hers. She’d seen the women he slept with. They were all blonde, slender, and beautiful, the complete opposite of her.
She wasn’t gross out ugly, just plain. There was nothing startling about her. Claire used to say there was more to her than looks and would compliment her curves. At twenty-six she knew the real world, and in the real world men didn’t go for the fuller women who liked their food. She’d never hidden her true nature from Chris. He was the one person she stayed the same for.
“I’m not settling down with anyone. You’re beautiful when you’re angry.”
Rachel frowned. “What are you trying to do?”
“Do you really think that fucker in there is perfect for you? I imagine there’s some bet going on to get you in the sack.” Chris lifted his water and took a sip. She noticed how sturdy his hands were and wondered how they’d feel caressing her body.
Get your mind out of the gutter.
“You’re being crude.”
“I’m thinking like a man. You’ve not dated anyone from here before, and it has been three months. You’re a challenge to every male in this room.”
She shook her head, ready to bite his head off.
“Rachel, it’s so good to see you.” Richard’s voice stopped her from saying anything to Chris. She smiled up at him, begging for a spark to be there. He kissed her cheek, lingering a little too long for her liking.
No, there was no spark. Glancing over at Chris, she saw the glint in his eyes.
“Who is this?” Richard asked.
“This is Christian. My brother-in-law.” She made the introductions wishing Chris would stop looking at her like that. What the hell was going on?
They’d not argued once in their lives together. She asked him about a potential date, and he was blowing up as if she’d asked his opinion on robbing a bank.
The tension between the two men was clear to see.
“I’ll, erm, make sure your food is brought to you. I made it with special care.” He leaned down to kiss her again. Rachel gave him her cheek, wishing he’d leave them to argue.
****
Chris knew he was being a bastard. Fisting his hands underneath the table, he tried not to lose it at the sight of another man touching her. She was his. He stopped, trying to process all of his thoughts. Rachel was not his woman. They’d never even shared a kiss.