But it wasn’t conceivable. In all of Kristen’s many praises, she’d left this part out. Hadn’t told me. . . .
My jaw dropped.
Kristen’s friend Ethan was unbelievably gorgeous. Dark hair, dark eyes, and maybe this partly stemmed from my sitting in a renaissance themed restaurant, but his build under his suit had to be a replica of Michaelangelo’s David. Why, oh, why hadn’t I been to the gym in two weeks?
“Gina Hall?” This perfect specimen of a man smiled at me and I’m embarrassed to say my mouth still hung open. “I’m Ethan Harrison.”
“H-Hi..” I somehow managed to tilt my face toward him as he dipped down and planted a soft peck on my cheek.
His smile shined—there’s no other way to describe it—showing a beautiful set of white teeth as he sat in the red velvet-covered chair across from me.
“May I get you anything?” The hostess asked Ethan with an equally stunning smile. With the way she sized him up and down, I was pretty sure she wanted to give him her phone number. Could I blame her?
Instead of getting her digits, Ethan turned to me. “Would you like something, Gina?”
Hot and attentive. Kristen’s stock was skyrocketing back up. “I’d love an iced tea.”
“I’ll have one as well.” When the hostess turned away, he eyed my half-empty glass of water, then checked his watch. “I hope you haven’t been waiting long.”
“Not at all.” Only my entire life. I straightened and sucked in my belly. Seriously, did this guy work out every day? “Thanks for meeting me on this side of town. Hope you found parking all right.”
He lifted the tall one page menu. “The firm uses a car service, so it’s easy to get around.”
“Nice.” My eyes scanned the various menu choices and stopped on a salad. That should counteract the cinnamon bun I had for breakfast. “One of my friends is getting married this weekend and I need to fit into my bridesmaid dress so I think I’ll order the Spinach Salad.”
“In that case, you may want them to hold the bacon bits.” He grimaced. “Sorry, I wasn’t trying to give you food advice—that just slipped out. Obviously you should order whatever you want. I’m a bit of a health nut and I should probably just stop talking while I’m behind.” He looked sheepish. “Forgive me.”
“No worries.” His comment had stung, but he obviously didn’t mean anything by it. First dates were notorious for being awkward. It wasn’t like he’d expect me to have a rock-hard body like his, right? I mean, the thought of giving up my new relationship with snickerdoodles made me shudder. A spinach salad was as far as I was willing to go.
Our waiter picked the perfect moment to bring us our drinks and ask for our orders.
“Insalata di Spinaci.” I bit back a laugh at my hilarious attempt at an Italian accent. No sense omitting the bacon bits when I wanted them. Ethan should know up front what he was getting into.
Instead of realizing I’d been kidding around with my silly accent, he gave me a nice compliment. Then he made eye contact with the waiter. “Vorrei Capellini al Pomodoro per favore.”
His accent sounded flawless although I didn’t really have any way to test its authenticity. Well, other than the one time I’d rented Under the Tuscan Sun.
The waiter didn’t seem as impressed, just quickly replied, “I’ll put the order in right away.”
I placed my napkin in my lap, thinking Ethan was getting more interesting by the minute. “Where did you learn Italian?”
“Living in Italy, actually.” His face lit up at the topic. “In college, I spent my junior year abroad at this great apartment in Rome. I’ve only been back to Italy twice since so it’s been challenging to keep hold of the language.”
Only twice since college? Must be nice. I’d been to Europe, uh, never. My girlfriends and I had spent a long weekend in Cabo once though. That had been pre-George and pre-knowing my drinking limit with margaritas.
As Ethan rattled on about living in Italy—the tale about drinking his cappuccinos standing up instead of sitting (because it costs less, apparently) was quite entertaining, but the history on the ruins at The Roman Forum had my attention drifting—my eyes drifted toward the entrance and my heart stopped.
Chris Bradley had just walked in. And not alone. Standing next to him was the anti-Gina. Whereas I was five-foot, four-inches, she had to be at least five-eight. Loose dark curls framed my face, while her ebony strands were long, thick, and straight. And the way she was gazing up at him, I’m betting she wouldn’t make an issue of him suggesting Truth or Date like I had.
The waiter set a basket of bread on our table and Ethan paused after saying something about Julius Caesar.
“Uh-huh,” I said, then he continued on. Although I tried to focus on his excitement over Caesar’s letter to Cicero, like a magnet my eyes drifted to where Chris and his lunch date had been seated by the street window. No wonder he’d made it clear to me this dinner with his boss was a friend thing. Why wasn’t he taking the brunette beauty though?
“Gina?”
My head whipped back to my lunch date. “I’m sorry. What did you ask me?”
He finished chewing his bite. “If you’d studied much of Caesar.”
“Only the salad. I learned that I don’t like anchovies on it.” I wrinkled my nose, unsure if he’d get my sense of humor.
“I’m sorry.” He chuckled. “My minor was in Italian studies and I tend to talk about Italy’s history more than the average person wants to know. What did you major in?”
“Frat parties.” I smiled and put my hands in my lap as the waiter set our dishes on the table. “And also Accounting.”
“Tell me about that.”
I gave Ethan the run down on my dad’s plastering business and how I’d learned to run his books in high school, which naturally fed my interest in accounting. He seemed engrossed listening to my background, which was sweet since it really wasn’t that extraordinary. The only way this lunch date could improve would be if I could stop glancing at Chris’s table. Suddenly, Chris’s date rose from her chair and strode toward the restroom. When I looked back toward Chris, our gazes locked.
He’d caught me spying on him!
My face heated and I turned back to Ethan as casually as possible. “What was I saying?”
Ethan’s brows came together. “Someone you know?”
“What?” I reached for my water. “Oh, over there? Just a person I work with. Well, used to work with. He’s given notice and . . . yeah.”
“Really.” Ethan looked in Chris’s direction and I concentrated on the ice-cold liquid going down my throat as I drained my glass. “He’s heading over here.”
I choked on the water and covered my mouth.
“Gina. Fancy meeting you here.” Chris’s spry tone sent unwanted vibrations through me. He fixed an intent stare on Ethan. “Hi. Chris Bradley. Gina and I work for the same company.”
“Not for long, I hear.” Ethan accepted Chris’s outstretched hand. “Ethan Harrison.”
If Chris had noticed my date’s icy tone, his face didn’t show it. “Sad but true.” His quick retort made it unclear if he was answering Ethan’s question or commenting on his name. Why had I chosen a restaurant so close to work?
The sudden tension at the table felt thick, but I couldn’t stop myself from peering up at Chris. “I hear you and Cyndi broke up. Who’s the new girl?”
Something odd passed through Chris’s eyes, then the corner of his mouth lifted. “Tina’s the Human Resource Manager for my new company. She’s explaining my benefits over lunch but I’m guessing dating her is not included in the package. I can ask though, if you’re curious.”
Now my cheeks were on fire. “I’m not.”
Chris glanced back at his table. Tina had returned and was watching us with obvious curiosity.
“Well, I’d better get back.” He took a retreating step. “You two enjoy your lunch.”
“We will.” Ethan’s voice was firm. After Chris left, he lifted his fork. “Former flame?”
“Chris?” My eyes bulged as if the thought were ludicrous. Which it was since his gig was playing the field—with everyone but me, that is. “No. Not even close.”
He raised his brows as if surprised. “Interesting. He seemed a bit territorial over you.”
“I don’t think so.” Although Chris had given me an intense look, which made no sense. Those blue eyes were hard to stop thinking about but I managed to finish the last bite of my salad, which did not leave me satisfied. Just like I wasn’t satisfied not knowing what Chris’s look meant. But when Ethan asked for the check I decided not to order anything else. “You’re nice, Ethan. I’m glad Kristen introduced us.”
“Me, too.” He leaned forward, wearing an easy smile. “She met you because you’re both in the same wedding. Is that right?”
“Yes.” My neck went stiff as female laughter echoed from the direction of Chris’s table. “We’re actually roommates now.”