Her eyes widened and she hesitated. “Wouldn’t it be a bad idea to be in business and bed together?”
“A second ago you told me to quit focusing on the risks. Did you mean it, or were you just trying to get your way?”
She glanced out the small kitchen window, hands on her hips. “Let me think about it. Right now I need to catch up with Vivi.”
“You got it.” Hank strode across the kitchen. “I’ll be in your bedroom if you need me.”
Mom,
I need your advice, because I don’t know what to do. Last night I dreamed about Hank dressed in the suit he wore at the wedding. He was standing on the Spring House lawn, near the sea, his hands on his hips, the wind tousling his hair. He glanced over his shoulder and saw me—really saw me—but then I woke up in a cold sweat.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Cat waved at Vivi, who waited beneath the burgundy awning of Candle 79. “Am I late?”
If so, she blamed Hank for putting her in a stupor with his enticing suggestion and that wicked-hot kiss. She needed to get a hold of herself before her preoccupation with him ruined the pleasant get-together she’d planned with Vivi.
“Nope.” Vivi opened the restaurant door. “I’m early.”
A waiter seated them at a two-top table in front of the wall of wood-framed glass doors that offered a street view. When Vivi scanned the menu, the creases in her forehead became more pronounced with each available selection.
“All vegetarian?” She peered over the top of her menu. “The portions better be huge, or I’m going to need to stop for pizza on my way home.”
“The food is awesome, V. I promise you won’t leave hungry.” Then again, Vivi’s bottomless pit of a stomach did prefer quantity to quality.
“You eat salad without dressing. Sorry, but I don’t give your opinion about food much weight.” Vivi stared at the menu another minute before setting it down. She rested her chin atop her clasped hands and tossed Cat a sly smile. “So, how’s your armoire project coming along?”
“Hank started construction today.” A brief flashback of their kiss shot another blast of heat to Cat’s cheeks.
“Ah ha!” Vivi’s eyes widened with excitement. “Something happened. Tell me!”
Much as Cat could fool most people with a pretense of indifference, she’d rarely managed to fool Vivi. No use trying to do so today.
“I don’t suppose you’d take no for an answer.” Cat feigned boredom, enjoying building Vivi’s anticipation to the point of explosion.
Vivi leaned across the table. “Oh, this must be good. And you’re right, I won’t stop asking until you spill it.”
“I propositioned Hank,” Cat began, only to be interrupted by Vivi’s gasp and excited clapping. “Not a sexual proposition, a business one.”
Vivi’s smile collapsed into a confused frown. “That was not the goal of my grand plan, Cat.”
Cat coyly swirled her wineglass in the air. “I keep warning you not to play matchmaker.”
Vivi’s disheartened sigh practically blew out the candle on the table. “So what’s this business proposal?”
After Cat explained her general idea, she waited to be peppered with well-intentioned questions designed to point out all its flaws.
“Actually, that’s an awesome idea.” Vivi smiled while picking at the edamame. “He’s gifted, you’re savvy and sophisticated. A perfect union of talents. In fact, I’ll be your first customer. I’d love a custom dining table.”
Cat chuckled, realizing she should’ve expected the unexpected from Vivi. Her friend’s enthusiasm temporarily buoyed her own until she remember Hank’s less-than-committed outlook.
“Well, I didn’t say Hank agreed.” She absently pressed her fingers to her lips, remembering their kiss.
Vivi’s bright smile inverted to another deep scowl. “What’s the problem?”
“Where to start? His financial obligations to his family, loyalty to Jackson, our lack of business experience and industry knowledge . . .” As she recited the long list of obstacles, she wrinkled her nose. Maybe he had a tiny point.
Cat could see the wheels turning inside Vivi’s head before her friend set her elbows on the table and narrowed her eyes in determination. “Surely there are solutions. So the real question is how will you change his mind?”
Vivi could always make Cat laugh, even when she didn’t mean to. “Well, he’s entertaining the idea, but he’s also asked me to consider a more personal relationship.”
Vivi’s tiny body shook as she drummed her feet on the floor in exultation. “I knew it! I knew you two had unfinished business. This is exactly the push you need. See? I’m glad I sent him to your apartment that day.” She made a show of patting herself on the back. “You can thank me with chocolate or cheesecake.”