Farber had a way with women of all ages.
By the time the group dispersed and Tawny and David headed for the car, she’d lost count of how many drinks David had coming his way. Not to mention a couple rounds of golf, deep-sea fishing, and a weekend use of someone’s sailboat.
Looked like David Farber had a way with men as well.
If he’d been the other candidate for the job, he would have landed it. Slam-dunk. Hook, line, sinker.
And Tawny would have graciously conceded the loss, because David did something amazing. He’d saved a life. A hero. How could she ever pay him back?
During the ride back to her place her phone buzzed. She read the text message, groaning.
“What’s up?”
“I’ve been summoned to my parents’ for a family dinner tonight.” She gave him her most enticing smile. “Don’t suppose you’d be up to coming to my rescue for a second time today, would you?”
He chuckled and shook his head. “Don’t take this wrong, but hell no. Your parents scare the crap out of me. Especially your mom.”
“Join the club.” They pulled up to her place, where workers had set up a complicated ladder and catwalk thingy in front of the aging Victorian. “At least I won’t have to listen to hammers and saws today.” Turning in her seat, she faced him. “David, I can’t say thank you enough for today. If you hadn’t gone with me . . . I mean, I had fun, you know, up until my potential boss almost died. And what you did . . . Amazing doesn’t even come close.”
“I did what anyone with CPR training would do. It’s no big deal.”
“Yeah? Tell that to the Spinellis.” She reached for her purse. “Let me pay you for your time today. What do you suppose the going rate for a hired date is?”
“Probably more than you can afford because while I may be easy, I’m not cheap.”
A small laugh escaped. Maybe she had misjudged him all these months. “At least let me pay for your gas or buy you dinner one night to thank you?” How did you reward someone for coming to your aid, much less saving a person’s life?
“No need. Just being a friend.”
“You went above and beyond. You made the day fun. Something I sorely needed. Tell me what I can do to pay you back?”
For several seconds he stared at her without saying a word, and then he got out of the truck, came around, and helped her out. Never taking his eyes off her, David lifted her hand like a gentleman out of a storybook and placed a soft kiss on the back of her hand. “I’ll let you know when I figure it out.”
Chapter Five
T awny pulled up in front of her parents’ expanded Cape Cod house and steeled her nerves. Par for the course, she was the last to arrive for Sunday dinner. Never a quiet affair in the Torres household, and one she’d happily skip if she could. For weeks she’d been avoiding her family. Today, of all days, she’d been summoned home, and none of the Torres kids ever told their mother no.
As she passed the minivan with the multitude of tiny smudged handprints on the windows, a squeal of delight pierced the air. Mama undoubtedly had the plastic baby pool set up in the backyard. It was the perfect day, and Baby Sofia, her only niece and already a handful at nine months, loved nothing better than playing in water. Tawny foresaw the girl growing up to be a mermaid.
Taking her time, Tawny skimmed a finger along the sleek red convertible parked next to the van. At least with her brother Mateo present, she’d have one ally when her parents started in on her about her career and finding a husband.
George, the oldest, always sided with their parents, and Dante, next in line, wasn’t much better. He, however, wouldn’t be here today to razz her. Thanks to his career in the Navy, he got to miss out on these command performances or else Mama would be grilling him about settling down instead. Lucky bastard.
Debating which would be the safer option, the backyard and the chaos of her nephews and niece or going inside
By the time the group dispersed and Tawny and David headed for the car, she’d lost count of how many drinks David had coming his way. Not to mention a couple rounds of golf, deep-sea fishing, and a weekend use of someone’s sailboat.
Looked like David Farber had a way with men as well.
If he’d been the other candidate for the job, he would have landed it. Slam-dunk. Hook, line, sinker.
And Tawny would have graciously conceded the loss, because David did something amazing. He’d saved a life. A hero. How could she ever pay him back?
During the ride back to her place her phone buzzed. She read the text message, groaning.
“What’s up?”
“I’ve been summoned to my parents’ for a family dinner tonight.” She gave him her most enticing smile. “Don’t suppose you’d be up to coming to my rescue for a second time today, would you?”
He chuckled and shook his head. “Don’t take this wrong, but hell no. Your parents scare the crap out of me. Especially your mom.”
“Join the club.” They pulled up to her place, where workers had set up a complicated ladder and catwalk thingy in front of the aging Victorian. “At least I won’t have to listen to hammers and saws today.” Turning in her seat, she faced him. “David, I can’t say thank you enough for today. If you hadn’t gone with me . . . I mean, I had fun, you know, up until my potential boss almost died. And what you did . . . Amazing doesn’t even come close.”
“I did what anyone with CPR training would do. It’s no big deal.”
“Yeah? Tell that to the Spinellis.” She reached for her purse. “Let me pay you for your time today. What do you suppose the going rate for a hired date is?”
“Probably more than you can afford because while I may be easy, I’m not cheap.”
A small laugh escaped. Maybe she had misjudged him all these months. “At least let me pay for your gas or buy you dinner one night to thank you?” How did you reward someone for coming to your aid, much less saving a person’s life?
“No need. Just being a friend.”
“You went above and beyond. You made the day fun. Something I sorely needed. Tell me what I can do to pay you back?”
For several seconds he stared at her without saying a word, and then he got out of the truck, came around, and helped her out. Never taking his eyes off her, David lifted her hand like a gentleman out of a storybook and placed a soft kiss on the back of her hand. “I’ll let you know when I figure it out.”
Chapter Five
T awny pulled up in front of her parents’ expanded Cape Cod house and steeled her nerves. Par for the course, she was the last to arrive for Sunday dinner. Never a quiet affair in the Torres household, and one she’d happily skip if she could. For weeks she’d been avoiding her family. Today, of all days, she’d been summoned home, and none of the Torres kids ever told their mother no.
As she passed the minivan with the multitude of tiny smudged handprints on the windows, a squeal of delight pierced the air. Mama undoubtedly had the plastic baby pool set up in the backyard. It was the perfect day, and Baby Sofia, her only niece and already a handful at nine months, loved nothing better than playing in water. Tawny foresaw the girl growing up to be a mermaid.
Taking her time, Tawny skimmed a finger along the sleek red convertible parked next to the van. At least with her brother Mateo present, she’d have one ally when her parents started in on her about her career and finding a husband.
George, the oldest, always sided with their parents, and Dante, next in line, wasn’t much better. He, however, wouldn’t be here today to razz her. Thanks to his career in the Navy, he got to miss out on these command performances or else Mama would be grilling him about settling down instead. Lucky bastard.
Debating which would be the safer option, the backyard and the chaos of her nephews and niece or going inside
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