did – tired and in need of a good shower – was the last thing Faith wanted to do at that moment. Shopping at the farmer’s market was one thing, but a restaurant?
There was also the issue of money – or, more accurately, her shameful lack of it. The trip north and today’s purchases had all but obliterated their petty cash.
As if reading her mind, Kieran turned those amazing blue eyes back to her and said, “I need to head back to my place and get cleaned up first, but then I’ll come back to pick you up. It’ll be my treat.”
When Faith worried her bottom lip with her teeth, he turned to Matt, and added slyly, “Did I mention I have a Porsche?”
Matt’s eyes nearly bugged out of his head. He regarded Faith with a look of such longing she felt the pull on her heartstrings. “A Porsche , Mom.”
Faith felt herself weakening. She really should say no, but it was next to impossible when Matt looked at her like that. It wasn’t like he was asking for anything extravagant, either, just some pizza. He had been working hard all day, and this was kind of a special occasion.
Besides, spending a few more hours with Kieran wasn’t exactly a hardship. He had been so patient and kind with Matt. If she was honest with herself, she had to admit that she had enjoyed his company, too. It was nice to be with someone so easy going and pleasant.
As a general rule, she avoided that kind of thing – especially with single men. She had neither the time nor the inclination to get involved with anyone. But this wasn’t really a date, she rationalized. It was more like a friendly, welcome-to-the-neighborhood kind of thing. She could handle that.
Maybe.
“Okay, but only on the condition that you let us treat you.”
Kieran frowned. “I asked you. You can’t treat.”
His downcast expression was so boyishly adorable that she found her fingernails digging into her palms to keep from touching him. That was enough to startle her into cognizant thought again. Faith had never had such a strong reaction to anyone before, and it set off blaring alarms in her head. She quietly turned them off with a mental note to examine them further later on.
“Technically, I asked you first when I asked you to stay for dinner. And I’m afraid it’s the only way we can go.”
He looked like he wanted to argue, but apparently he thought better of it. “Okay. I guess I can leave my man card at home for one night.” He grinned and winked at Matt, who laughed. “See you in about an hour?”
Faith nodded, unable to completely stop the smile from curving her lips.
––––––––
G uiseppe’s was everything a traditional Italian pizza parlor should be. Along the side of the building, a red and green striped awning hung over a patio dotted with tables. Inside, dangling lights were suspended over high-backed booths and red and white striped tablecloths. Huge framed posters of Italian cities, buildings, and maps hung on the walls, and the delicious mix of spicy aromas had Faith’s mouth watering within minutes.
“I think I gained ten pounds from the aroma alone,” Faith murmured, making Kieran laugh. She didn’t miss the appreciative glance he gave her, feeling it all the way down to her open-toed sandals.
“I like a woman who can appreciate good food.”
“Easy for you to say,” she muttered, attempting to hide her blush behind the menu and internally racked up a substantial calorie count. “You have what, about two percent body fat?” She looked longingly at the tray the waitress carried past filled with thick, Sicilian style pan-fried crust. “You could probably eat one of those and burn it off before we leave.”
Kieran flicked his eyes over her in such a way that heat blossomed in places that had no business being that warm. “Nothing you need to worry about either,” he said with an enigmatic smile before turning to his own menu.
There was also the issue of money – or, more accurately, her shameful lack of it. The trip north and today’s purchases had all but obliterated their petty cash.
As if reading her mind, Kieran turned those amazing blue eyes back to her and said, “I need to head back to my place and get cleaned up first, but then I’ll come back to pick you up. It’ll be my treat.”
When Faith worried her bottom lip with her teeth, he turned to Matt, and added slyly, “Did I mention I have a Porsche?”
Matt’s eyes nearly bugged out of his head. He regarded Faith with a look of such longing she felt the pull on her heartstrings. “A Porsche , Mom.”
Faith felt herself weakening. She really should say no, but it was next to impossible when Matt looked at her like that. It wasn’t like he was asking for anything extravagant, either, just some pizza. He had been working hard all day, and this was kind of a special occasion.
Besides, spending a few more hours with Kieran wasn’t exactly a hardship. He had been so patient and kind with Matt. If she was honest with herself, she had to admit that she had enjoyed his company, too. It was nice to be with someone so easy going and pleasant.
As a general rule, she avoided that kind of thing – especially with single men. She had neither the time nor the inclination to get involved with anyone. But this wasn’t really a date, she rationalized. It was more like a friendly, welcome-to-the-neighborhood kind of thing. She could handle that.
Maybe.
“Okay, but only on the condition that you let us treat you.”
Kieran frowned. “I asked you. You can’t treat.”
His downcast expression was so boyishly adorable that she found her fingernails digging into her palms to keep from touching him. That was enough to startle her into cognizant thought again. Faith had never had such a strong reaction to anyone before, and it set off blaring alarms in her head. She quietly turned them off with a mental note to examine them further later on.
“Technically, I asked you first when I asked you to stay for dinner. And I’m afraid it’s the only way we can go.”
He looked like he wanted to argue, but apparently he thought better of it. “Okay. I guess I can leave my man card at home for one night.” He grinned and winked at Matt, who laughed. “See you in about an hour?”
Faith nodded, unable to completely stop the smile from curving her lips.
––––––––
G uiseppe’s was everything a traditional Italian pizza parlor should be. Along the side of the building, a red and green striped awning hung over a patio dotted with tables. Inside, dangling lights were suspended over high-backed booths and red and white striped tablecloths. Huge framed posters of Italian cities, buildings, and maps hung on the walls, and the delicious mix of spicy aromas had Faith’s mouth watering within minutes.
“I think I gained ten pounds from the aroma alone,” Faith murmured, making Kieran laugh. She didn’t miss the appreciative glance he gave her, feeling it all the way down to her open-toed sandals.
“I like a woman who can appreciate good food.”
“Easy for you to say,” she muttered, attempting to hide her blush behind the menu and internally racked up a substantial calorie count. “You have what, about two percent body fat?” She looked longingly at the tray the waitress carried past filled with thick, Sicilian style pan-fried crust. “You could probably eat one of those and burn it off before we leave.”
Kieran flicked his eyes over her in such a way that heat blossomed in places that had no business being that warm. “Nothing you need to worry about either,” he said with an enigmatic smile before turning to his own menu.
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