“Where, then?”
I don’t look back at him. It could be the alcohol, but I feel like if I look back at him, I’ll find myself in his bed before the night is through, and I don’t want to do that. I can hear Aunt Ginny’s voice in the back of my head telling me that I shouldn’t give into a smooth-talking, rich boy.
“Nate,” I glance at him, but only briefly, “you’re being very kind and all, but we just met. I think if tonight has taught me anything, it’s taught me to be a little more cautious.”
“Afraid I might start stalking you?”
“Yes.” I reply far too bluntly and regret it immediately.
“Good call, I suppose.” He grins at me, and I’m glad he didn’t take offense. “I have to admit, it’s a little tempting.”
My head is starting to spin a little. I’ve had far too much to drink, and if I don’t leave now, I’m going to let him take me home.
“And on that note,” I say, “it’s probably about time for me to head home.”
I glance at the clock above the bar, shocked to find it’s a little after one thirty in the morning. Where did the time go?
“It is late,” Nate says. “Since I’m fairly certain you won’t let me drive you home, please let me get a cab for you.”
In my current condition, I’m not sure I could manage to use the Uber app, so I agree to let him call me a cab but not to take me home himself. He beckons Jude over to call for a ride.
“You should let me pay for at least some of these drinks,” I say as I pull out my wallet.
“Not a chance.” He leans over, tilts his head, and winks at me. “I own the club, remember? Drinks are on the house.”
I want to melt into those eyes.
I giggle like a schoolgirl and shake my head at him but put my wallet away. I have no idea how many drinks I’ve had at this point or what they would have cost me.
Nate pulls out his phone and reaches for one of the bar napkins and a pen. After he quickly scribbles down some numbers, he hands the napkin to me.
“The first number is mine because I’m hoping you’ll call sometime. Even if you don’t, still call the second number. Ask for Melissa and tell her I sent you. I know there are some openings, most of which don’t require specific experience.”
“Are you…Nate, what are you doing? Offering me a job?”
“Technically, you’ll have to interview, but if you want to move past the bullshit, yes.”
“I think it’s best I don’t,” I say but I can’t help smiling. “I think the drinks and cab are plenty for one night.”
I’ve already given in to the drinks and the cab. This is far too much, rich boy!
“I’m serious, Cherry.” He reaches over as if he’s going to touch my hand but stops short. Instead, he pushes the napkin a little closer. “I think you’d be perfect for it.”
“Perfect for what? Who the hell is Melissa?”
“Melissa is the office manager at the county parks building,” he says. “It’s nearly time to start data analysis on the maple trees for the spring collection of maple sap. With your current botany knowledge, it’s a good fit, and you’d have some experience when you apply to colleges.”
This is just too much.
“So, what? You…you own the park?”
“Of course not.” He shakes his head, laughing. “It’s a state-owned park. I just…I own the maple syrup processing plant.”
What is happening here? Is he serious? Is there nothing in this town he doesn’t own?
“I didn’t agree to have drinks with you in hopes of landing a job,” I say. I feel indignant, like this whole night has suddenly become about being a charity case. I had a bad date, and I appreciate him intervening, but I am not looking for a savior.
“It’s not like that,” he says insistently. “This isn’t any kind of quid pro quo. And I can’t guarantee you a job there, but I do think once you talk to Melissa, she’s going to hire you on the spot.”
“You’re very confident.”
“Usually.”
All of a sudden, I’m scared. I’m not even sure why, but I am. This is too much too fast, and I don’t understand why he would do such a thing for someone he doesn’t even know.
“Nate, I can’t do this.” I start to push the napkin back toward him, and this time he places his hand over mine.
“Yes, you can. I have a feeling you need work sooner rather than later, and this could start immediately if you call her Monday morning.”
If the Orso family is what they appear to be, Nate could be a powerful ally in finding a job and my birth records. For that reason alone, I should accept his offer, but it feels like something else, and I’m not sure what. I only know that it terrifies me.
I’m about to pull away when Nate leans close, hand still on top of mine, and whispers.
“Cherry, can I tell you a secret?”
“A secret?” A shiver runs down my spine.
“Yeah.”
“Okay…”
He leans over a bit more, mouth near my ear. I can feel the warmth of his breath on my cheek and smell the cologne he’s wearing. It’s faint but intriguing.
“I also own a greenhouse,” he whispers, “but those plants grow indoors. Obviously not a good fit for you, but trees grow outside. I think you can handle it.”
As abruptly as it came on, the fear dissipates, and I laugh. I don’t know why I had felt so apprehensive. Clearly he’d listened to what I said about botany and plants and was just trying to find a good fit for me.
“All
