She couldn’t help it. She giggled. It wasn’t nice, but it would be funny to see Jimmy’s reaction. And it wouldn’t be anything horribly offensive to ruin Moira’s night. In fact, she might even get a laugh from the joke.
Pointing at Kevin she said, “Do what you want, but I’ll have no part in it. I don’t want to be on the receiving end of Jimmy’s anger.”
Kevin waved a hand in dismissal. “Nah. He won’t be angry. I’ll liquor him up first.”
“So many ways that could end badly for you.”
“Never underestimate me,” he said with a wink.
Man, did this guy ever let up? She folded her napkin and set it on the table before reaching in her purse for her wallet. “How much do I owe you for dinner?”
“It’s on me.”
“This wasn’t a date. It was more like a business meeting. I should pay at least half. I am taking all the leftovers.”
“Correction. This was old friends getting together for a meal. My treat.” He finished his coffee and pulled bills from his pocket. “I’ll walk you to your car.”
She stood and gathered the pizza and box of chocolates. “When you get actual numbers on the cost of the cruise, let me know and we’ll talk. I imagine that renting out the ship for the night will be expensive.”
“We’ll figure it out. You like my plan though?”
She did. An intimate party with all of Jimmy and Moira’s closest friends would be perfect. Even if it meant Kathy would have to spend more time with Kevin. This night hadn’t been anywhere near the torture she’d imagined. “It’s a good idea. It’ll work for them.”
As they headed out of the restaurant and toward her car, Kevin said, “Do you have any business cards on you?”
“Why?” She pressed the key fob to unlock the door. Night had fallen and it was near her bedtime, but the cool breeze made her want to stand and enjoy it for a while. She inhaled, filling her lungs with fragrant air. Summer in Chicago was her favorite time of year.
“I know a lot of people who organize functions in and around the mayor.”
“I don’t need some pity business because you’re trying to clear your conscience. The chocolates and apology were enough.”
“As a businessperson, you shouldn’t care about the reason behind the work. Just be glad when some comes your way.”
She set the boxes on the floor behind the driver’s seat and rummaged around in her purse. Finally, in the side pocket, she found her business card holder. She handed him a few cards. “I am grateful for every customer who walks through my door. But if you start pimping my business, I’m afraid it’ll come with strings attached. I don’t want to owe you anything.”
Standing straight, she gave herself a mental pat on the back. There was a time she’d never have had the guts to say that aloud.
He studied the card for a moment. “Love in Bloom. You really did it.”
“Did what?”
“I remember lying in bed with you, talking about how much you wanted your own flower shop. I’m impressed. You did everything you set out to do.”
His words shouldn’t have had any effect on her, but they did. A gentle warmth spread through her belly at his praise.
He slid the cards into the pocket of his jeans and looked at her in silence for a minute. She tried not to fidget, but the intensity of all that attention on her made her want to hide.
Or curl up in his arms.
Oh, hell no. She needed to get to bed. Thoughts like that about Kevin O’Malley would only lead to heartbreak.
He finally moved, slowly stretching an arm out to brace on the car beside her. “I’ll never expect anything more from you than you’re willing to give.”
It took her a second to figure out what he was talking about. Then she realized that he was referring to her accusing him of attaching strings. Her breathing went shallow and her heart sped up. A big part of her had expected him to try to kiss her, but a bigger part was glad he hadn’t.
He spoke the truth. In a nutshell, he’d managed to express her single biggest problem. She was always willing to give a relationship everything without knowing she’d get anything in return. Kevin had been one of many men to teach her that. In recent years, she’d done everything possible to protect herself as she attempted to learn to be more assertive. Next time she fell for a guy, she planned to be able to demand what she wanted. It was a work in progress.
Kevin waited, but she had nothing to say to him. He pushed off the car. “Good night, Kathy. I had a great time tonight.”
“Me too,” she admitted, which probably wasn’t the smartest move.
As he stepped away, he reached and opened the door for her. When she turned and sat, he closed it. He waited until she started the engine and shifted into gear to leave.
She offered a small wave as she pulled away. In her rearview mirror, she saw Kevin standing in the near-empty parking lot, hands tucked into his pockets, staring at her.
She should’ve left sooner. If she’d really been thinking, she would’ve started the party planning conversation first thing instead of letting him lead. As she made her way home, she realized that she had, in fact, underestimated Kevin. He’d been polite and kind and funny, so she played right into his hand. She’d had dinner with him and enjoyed it.
No matter what he’d said about them being friends, she knew better. She’d gotten good at being honest with herself, even if she was still working on being blunt with those around her. In being true to herself, she had to admit that she was still attracted to Kevin. And he was attracted to her.
Which meant that she had to double her defenses when she was with him. If he wanted
