“No,” she said with the shake of her head. “I couldn’t ask you to do that. We’ll just say you’re planning on coming, but then you can get called out on an emergency or something. Like your mom got sick.”
Burke held her gaze for a blink before nodding. “Right.” He opened his door and stepped out. Silence took over after his door closed, and soon he was prying hers open. He extended a hand toward her.
This really was a date, wasn’t it? He’d said it was his treat, he’d picked her up at her place, and he was opening doors for her.
“Thank you,” she said while taking his hand.
A small beep sounded as Burke locked up the door with the key fob. He offered his elbow after tucking the keys into his pocket, and Justine looped a hand around the bend in his muscled arm. She couldn’t help but notice how easy it felt to do that with him. And it came with the added bonus of the heavenly scent of his cologne.
Justine caught herself leaning into him as they walked, inhaling an extra dose of the masculine, woodsy scent.
Bright light beamed from every window of the two-story Steakhouse. The stars danced above it in the night sky, echoing the yellow glow.
“We’d have to come up with a different excuse,” Burke said, breaking into the sounds of chirping crickets.
It took Justine a moment to recall what they’d been talking about in the car. “What was that?”
“My mother died over a year ago. If we’re going to make up an excuse, we may as well keep it work related.”
“Oh. I’m so sorry about your mom. That’s awful.”
“It was cancer,” he said. “And yes, awful is right.”
She wanted to ask more about him. Where his family was from. Why he was in Piney Falls. Where the rest of his family lived. She looked forward to doing so over dinner.
Fresh sparks of anticipation stirred in her chest as they headed up the creaky steps of the Steakhouse. She inhaled the smoky aroma and sighed. Justine had a favorite motto—one that Grams hand stitched and hung beside the dining room table.
It read, “Take joy in the daily measures of life, and you’ll discover where true happiness lies.” Beneath the quote, a man twirled a woman away from the stovetop, her apron tossing as she whirled.
Justine had learned to take joy in the daily measures of life. And in doing so, she had found a measure of joy and contentment. But now something new had come into play. Something—or someone—unexpected, and Justine planned to take the same approach.
Perhaps she’d discover an entirely new level of joy. Or maybe she was only being a dreamer. Whichever the case was, Justine would immerse herself, and look forward to finding out what it might bring.
Chapter 9
Burke narrowed his gaze at the menu, forcing himself to focus on it instead of the fascinating woman across from him. The one who’d buried the cat that didn’t belong to her, helped herself to his Mentos in the car, and the one who’d asked him to turn up the rap song on the radio.
He let his gaze drift from his menu across the table once more.
It was one thing to see her silhouetted in her doorway or in the partial light of his BMW on the drive there, but it was quite another to see her beneath the outdoor roof lights streamed overhead. Beautiful.
“Okay, now I see why you were able to get a last minute reservation,” Justine said. “Nobody ever reserves the rooftop.”
“Why?” he asked, worried that he was missing something obvious. Heat lamps radiated warmth from the center of the table, and from all four corners as well. But perhaps it wasn’t enough. “Are you cold?”
She shook her head. “No, these lamps are incredible. It’s just…too expensive.” She chuckled. “Not even the prom groups do it often.”
Tension drained from his limbs. “Oh, good. Yeah, well…” He nodded and shrugged. Menu, Burke. Just look at the menu.
Of all the women he’d dated before, he somehow doubted Justine would be charmed by his billionaire status. She didn’t seem the type to be motivated by dollar bills.
“So I guess we should get to know each other since we’re supposed to be engaged and all,” Justine said, a slight giggle coating the words.
“Right,” Burke said, eyeing the filet mignon. He lifted his gaze to see Justine was studying the menu as well. “Have you lived in Piney Falls all your life?”
“Yes.” She looked up at him with squinted eyes. “What are you ordering?”
Burke smiled at the sudden topic change. “Filet mignon. Would you like the same?”
She shrugged. “I’ve never had it.”
“If you like steak, you’ll probably like it. It’s really tender. Usually served fairly pink in the center.”
She dropped her gaze back to the menu. “Hmm…do you always order the most expensive thing on the menu?”
Burke smiled. “I have no idea.” It occurred to him then that she might be worried about the price. He had said he was treating, but perhaps she felt awkward ordering what was, apparently, the most expensive option. “I’ve been fortunate in the finance department. I’m not worried about the price.”
He cringed inwardly, hoping he hadn’t come off conceited. But honestly, money was no object when looking at a menu. And it’d been a long time since he’d been in the company of someone who considered restaurant pricing at all.
Burke wasn’t sure Justine had taken him at his word until the waiter came to take their order.
“I’ll take the filet mignon, please,” she said when asked.
The waiter, a tall gentleman dressed in black, had already brought out their drinks. He gave her a nod. “And how would you like that?”
Justine shot a look to Burke.
“I do medium rare,” he said.
“Let’s do that.” Justine closed her menu and handed it to the waiter, who turned to Burke next.
“And you?”
“I’ll take the same. And could you start us with the shrimp cocktail…” He looked up at Justine. “Do you like shrimp?”
She nodded.
“What other appetizer should we get?” he asked.
“The sautéed mushrooms sound good.”
“Very nice,” the waiter said as he took note. “I’ll be back shortly.”
He liked that she hadn’t hesitated to add the mushrooms. And that she’d opted for a glass of wine. He watched as she lifted her glass, closed her eyes to inhale it, and then took a sip.
“Ah,” she said. “That’s really good.”
Burke grinned. “I’m glad. So I better get the rundown on you if I’m going to convince Wilfred that we’re in love.” Whoa. The words in love had not been planned in the least. What he’d pictured saying was engaged. Sure, the love part should accompany an engagement, but it sure made his face warm to say it.
“You seem to be very close to your granddad,” he started. “Have you two always been that way?”
She nodded. “He raised me, so yeah.”
Raised her? “You’re kidding,” he said. “And your grandmother too?”
“Yeah, once they were married, anyway.” Justine set down her wineglass and straightened up in her seat. She surprised him then by resting both forearms on the table to lean across it. Closer to him.