10. Natalie #2
He smiled. “How about grabbing some coffee with me then?”
A store employee approached and handed him a receipt. “You’re all set, Mr. Lockwood.”
Natalie blinked. “L-Lockwood?”
Holy shit!
If a genie could have granted her one wish at that moment, it would have been the power of invisibility.
Or the ability to turn back time. Or one of those wand things from Men in Black, to erase his memory.
Her cheeks burned with regret and embarrassment, but Hart Lockwood didn’t seem bothered in the least.
He extended his hand to her, his mouth breaking into a knowing grin. "You can call me Hart.”
Oh.
God.
Kill me now.
The rain stopped as they walked to a retro diner.
Natalie tried to ignore the mortification of insulting both his book and his name, but Hart brushed it off with easy charm.
Inside, he ordered a black coffee and recommended the French Silk pie.
They talked for two hours—books, travel, business, everything. She lost track of time.
“My new novel comes out next year—the last in the series. Which means …”
“What?”
“A big launch party,” he said with a flirty grin.
“Oh?” she said with surprise.
Hart walked his fingers across the table and poked Natalie’s arm. “You wouldn’t happen to know anyone in event planning who might be able to help with that, would you?”
Her breath caught. “I might know someone.”
Before he could respond, the server dropped the check and announced closing time. Natalie begged to pay (penance for her earlier insults) but Hart wouldn't hear of it. He stood and removed her jacket from the back of her chair. He helped her into her jacket, his hands warm on her shoulders.
Back on the street, they waited for her ride. Nervous energy slipped through her like a Plinko disc.
"What are the chances of a humble wordsmith taking you to dinner sometime?"
"I'd say the chances are excellent."
They stood in silence. Natalie shifted her weight back and forth, anticipating the brush of his kiss. She'd never kissed a man with a full beard before and found the prospect exhilarating.
"This is the part where you fumble in your purse and then hand me your business card with a shy grin.”
"Is it now?" she asked with a sarcastic air.
“I was serious earlier. My book doesn’t come out until next year, but I’d like to start planning the launch party soon. I think you’re just the woman to make the magic happen.”
The size of her clutch left no room for fumbling. She offered up the very first Natalie & Co business card. Hart studied it, tucked it away, then extended his hand.
"Natalie Powell. It's been an absolute pleasure."
She grinned. "Is this the part where we shake hands longer than conventionally necessary?"
"It is. And also the part where I do this."
Hart leaned in and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
A kiss both gentle and devastating. The softness of his whiskers surprised her.
The fact that he didn't go for a full-on kiss on the mouth only excited her more.
That tiny flutter she felt seconds before, the one akin to a hummingbird, had morphed into a soaring eagle, its strong wings tickling her insides.
"And this is the part where I reluctantly say goodbye, counting the hours until I see you again," he said, anticipation flickering in his eyes.
Her ride pulled up to the curb. Hart opened the door and she slid into the back seat. Inside the car, she finally breathed, willing herself not to turn back for one last look.
Holy. Shit.
Did I just spend the evening with a best-selling sci-fi author?
One who’s apparently interested in business … and a bit of pleasure?
She pulled out her phone. No new messages from Noah, but Kate had texted the book title. She debated for one second, then opened Noah’s contact. He answered on the first half-ring.
"I'm thinking of a fall wedding. Navy bridesmaids’ dresses. Your hair would be—”
"Stop. He didn't show."
"What are you talking about?"
"Blaine Sheridan was a no-show.”
Noah gasped. “Something major must have happened. Oh my God. What if he was hit by a cab or something on his way in to meet you? Like Deborah Kerr in An Affair to Remember?”
“Highly doubtful. He probably saw my tiny business Instagram and bailed. But Hive is gorgeous. I’m going to reach out to the manager about events."
"Why didn't you call me? I'd have come over. We could have ordered dim sum from Winkie's and worked on our mahjong game."
"You couldn't have come over because I wasn't home. In fact, I'm still not home."
Noah paused. "Where are you … and what are you doing?"
She touched the spot on her forehead where Hart kissed her. “Heading home from the best night I've had since I moved back."
“OH MY GOD!” Noah shrieked. “Little Miss All-Work met someone!”
Natalie spilled everything—from their embarrassing initial conversation at the bookstore to the tender kiss that made her insides tingle.
"A forehead kiss on a damp city street?” Noah sighed dreamily. “Does it get more romantic than that? Other than the fact that his name is Hart?"
“I don’t think it does.”
“I’m glad it all worked out, Nat. You looked much too fab for the night to go to waste.”
She thanked him, then ended the call. Her gaze returned to the city streets, and she mentally replayed every unexpected, enchanting moment with Hart.
He’s smart. Handsome. Funny.
And here in the same city. Convenient.
He’s also a celebrity. He could open a lot of doors—especially if Natalie & Co designs his book launch.
Or, HE could be the celebrity that helps launch my showcase.
The smoke of these rapid-fire thoughts cleared, leaving the words she’d spoken to Kate the night before: When the time is right, the perfect guy will appear.
Her time with Hart confirmed it. When his lips touched her skin, she felt it—a desire to be intimate with someone again.
Her phone pinged with a text.
Noah: Blaine’s been hospitalized!!
A second text popped up—a screenshot of a convo between Noah and someone—he’d cropped the shot so couldn’t read the name. Natalie read the short exchange, sad to learn that Blaine had been rushed in for an emergency appendectomy.
Natalie: Poor guy! But let this Blaine Sheridan fantasy of yours die please.
Noah: Never! Blaine is too