Read Online Love at the 20-Yard Line by Shanna Hatfield - Free Book Online
Authors: Shanna Hatfield
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kept Haven away from work longer than he should have.
He set his napkin on the table and looked around for the server so he could pay the bill. While he waited to catch her eye, he apologized to Haven. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize the time. I hope I’m not making you late for your next appointment.”
After glancing at her watch, Haven shook her head. “I’ve got plenty of time. No apology necessary, except maybe for leading me here under false pretenses. Care to explain what that’s all about?”
“Let’s just say I was convinced you wouldn’t meet me here any other way and leave it at that. I’m sorry, Haven, really I am. But I’m not sorry you came or that we had the chance to visit for a while. I like talking to you.”
“I like talking to you, too,” she said, deciding to be bold and brave. “Next time, just ask if I want to have lunch with you instead of inventing some pathetic story.”
“It wasn’t pathetic,” Brody said, pretending to be offended. “It got you to come and it wasn’t a story. We did discuss modeling. We discussed how I won’t be doing it.”
“Technically, but still…”
Haven quieted as the server approached with the bill. Brody took it before she could protest.
“I can pay for my half.” Haven fished in her bag for her wallet.
“No. I invited you and I’m buying.” Brody wished he could spend the afternoon with Haven, but he needed to get going and she had to return to work.
He stood and held Haven’s coat for her, inhaling the tantalizing fragrance of her perfume as she slid her arms into the sleeves.
Her scent made him think of sunny skies, warm breezes, and spring flowers. Resting his hands on her shoulders, he wanted to pull her back against his chest and rain kisses along the exposed skin of her neck.
Instead, he took out his wallet and left cash for the bill as well as a generous tip on their table.
Haven noticed the other night Brody seemed to leave hefty tips and wondered about the reason. She assumed it was because both times the server was young and pretty and he was the big jock looking to impress a girl. Somewhat miffed by his actions, she glared down at the money he casually dropped next to the bill.
Brody caught Haven staring at the cash on the table. He shrugged his shoulders and looked down at his feet. “Mom worked two jobs as a waitress all the years I was growing up and to help put me through school. I… um…”
Haven reached out and squeezed his hand, aware that Brody had cracked open the door to his heart and let her peek inside for a brief moment. Remorseful settled over her for thinking his generous gesture was about stroking his ego. Perhaps there was more to the man than she originally thought. “I think that’s nice, Brody.”
He nodded and kept her hand in his as they exited the restaurant and returned to his truck. On the drive back to her office, they chatted about the weather and spring arriving soon. He started to get out to see her to the door, but she asked him not to.
“It will just distract the staff with unnecessary gossip and speculation if you do.” Haven placed her hand on his arm before he could get out of the truck.
“Why? Surely this isn’t the first time you’ve left with a man for lunch.” Brody assumed someone like Haven would have men asking her out on a daily basis.
“Well, it’s um…”
“Come on, Haven. You go to lunch with clients all the time, don’t you?”
“Yes, but you aren’t a client.”
“And I’m really glad about that because I’m pretty sure you can’t do this with your clients.” Brody leaned across the cab and placed a soft, gentle kiss on her surprised lips.
Although the contact was brief, Haven felt like her lips were about to burst into flame, along with the rest of her body from the brush of his mouth against hers.
“Thanks for lunch today, doll. I’m going to be playing out of town this week and next, but maybe we can see each other for lunch again, or
He set his napkin on the table and looked around for the server so he could pay the bill. While he waited to catch her eye, he apologized to Haven. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize the time. I hope I’m not making you late for your next appointment.”
After glancing at her watch, Haven shook her head. “I’ve got plenty of time. No apology necessary, except maybe for leading me here under false pretenses. Care to explain what that’s all about?”
“Let’s just say I was convinced you wouldn’t meet me here any other way and leave it at that. I’m sorry, Haven, really I am. But I’m not sorry you came or that we had the chance to visit for a while. I like talking to you.”
“I like talking to you, too,” she said, deciding to be bold and brave. “Next time, just ask if I want to have lunch with you instead of inventing some pathetic story.”
“It wasn’t pathetic,” Brody said, pretending to be offended. “It got you to come and it wasn’t a story. We did discuss modeling. We discussed how I won’t be doing it.”
“Technically, but still…”
Haven quieted as the server approached with the bill. Brody took it before she could protest.
“I can pay for my half.” Haven fished in her bag for her wallet.
“No. I invited you and I’m buying.” Brody wished he could spend the afternoon with Haven, but he needed to get going and she had to return to work.
He stood and held Haven’s coat for her, inhaling the tantalizing fragrance of her perfume as she slid her arms into the sleeves.
Her scent made him think of sunny skies, warm breezes, and spring flowers. Resting his hands on her shoulders, he wanted to pull her back against his chest and rain kisses along the exposed skin of her neck.
Instead, he took out his wallet and left cash for the bill as well as a generous tip on their table.
Haven noticed the other night Brody seemed to leave hefty tips and wondered about the reason. She assumed it was because both times the server was young and pretty and he was the big jock looking to impress a girl. Somewhat miffed by his actions, she glared down at the money he casually dropped next to the bill.
Brody caught Haven staring at the cash on the table. He shrugged his shoulders and looked down at his feet. “Mom worked two jobs as a waitress all the years I was growing up and to help put me through school. I… um…”
Haven reached out and squeezed his hand, aware that Brody had cracked open the door to his heart and let her peek inside for a brief moment. Remorseful settled over her for thinking his generous gesture was about stroking his ego. Perhaps there was more to the man than she originally thought. “I think that’s nice, Brody.”
He nodded and kept her hand in his as they exited the restaurant and returned to his truck. On the drive back to her office, they chatted about the weather and spring arriving soon. He started to get out to see her to the door, but she asked him not to.
“It will just distract the staff with unnecessary gossip and speculation if you do.” Haven placed her hand on his arm before he could get out of the truck.
“Why? Surely this isn’t the first time you’ve left with a man for lunch.” Brody assumed someone like Haven would have men asking her out on a daily basis.
“Well, it’s um…”
“Come on, Haven. You go to lunch with clients all the time, don’t you?”
“Yes, but you aren’t a client.”
“And I’m really glad about that because I’m pretty sure you can’t do this with your clients.” Brody leaned across the cab and placed a soft, gentle kiss on her surprised lips.
Although the contact was brief, Haven felt like her lips were about to burst into flame, along with the rest of her body from the brush of his mouth against hers.
“Thanks for lunch today, doll. I’m going to be playing out of town this week and next, but maybe we can see each other for lunch again, or
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