Chapter 10
Three days. It had been three days since Andrea had seen or spoken to Michael.
She didn’t see him around his house, and he hadn’t shown up at her work.
Not that she had been looking for him. She just wanted to be watchful in case she needed to avoid him.
Yes, that was right. It had nothing to do with the fact she wanted to see him, even a glimpse.
There was seriously something wrong with her.
For someone who kept pushing Michael away, as soon as he left her be, she was looking for him—unless that was his tactic. Make her pine for him. Yeah right, she was not the pining type. She couldn’t care less if she never saw Michael with no last name again.
“Andrea.” Andrea jumped at the deep voice right behind her. She whipped around and came face to face with her tormentor. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” He smiled at her.
“You didn’t.”
Michael raised one eyebrow in disbelief.
“I was lost in thought.”
“Thinking of me?”
Yes, as a matter of fact. “No, what to get for dinner tonight.”
Michael looked from her to over her shoulder. “And you’re debating which cereal to get?”
Andrea twirled back around to see that in fact, she was in the cereal aisle.
“I’m not one to judge; I’ve had cereal for dinner lots of times.”
Andrea turned back to glare at him. “I wasn’t debating which cereal to have for dinner. What I was thinking of…that’s to say...”
“You know, you can admit you were thinking of me. I’ve been thinking about you.”
Andrea refused to react to that statement.
He probably said that just to get a rise out of her.
“I could care less what you were thinking of, and I wasn’t thinking about you.
I have a great deal on my mind and just needed to pause to collect my thoughts.
Now why are you following me?” There, that should throw him off of his game.
“If it’s escaped your notice, we’re in a grocery store. Many people come here to buy food items.” He held up his arm basket to show her proof. “Besides, who’s to say you’re not following me?”
The very suggestion. “You approached me. If I were following you—which I wasn’t—why would I wait for you to come talk to me instead of just talking to you.”
“Good point. Fine, we’ll settle the debate and call it a happy coincidence.”
She wouldn’t go so far as to say happy. “Why haven’t I seen you around the past few days?”
“Why, Andrea, were you concerned about me?” Michael looked touched that she was concerned about him, which she wasn’t.
“No, Maya asked me about you the other day, and I told her I hadn’t seen you in a few days.”
“Ah, well, I’ve been working and planning.”
“For your get-together with the neighbors.” She didn’t know people had housewarming parties anymore. Had he suggested it just to get her over and ask more about her? No, she was being silly. His life didn’t revolve around seeing her. Though he did seem to single her out quite a bit.
“That too. Have you changed your mind about coming?”
“No, I told you, I have plans.” She had no intention of seeing him more than she had to.
“Very well. Well, since you’re busy this weekend, will you have dinner with me tonight? I promise I won’t ask about your childhood or anything personal.”
“Yes.”
Michael looked stunned, which made her chuckle. She was sure not many people threw him off like she just had. “You should see your face.” She laughed harder.
“I’m stunned; I’m not going to lie.”
Given the number of times she had turned him down, she could see that.
“I’m only agreeing because you’ll continue to pester me until I do.
” It was better to get it out of the way; he could see she was nothing to get excited about and leave her alone.
It was only a means to an end, not because she wanted to see him.
“Do I pester you?” he asked, looking baffled.
“You do,” she replied without hesitation.
“Impressive since I haven’t seen you in two days.”
“Three,” she corrected then realized her mistake. He had been testing her, and he’d won if the look of triumph on his face was any indication to go by.
“I’m surprised you’ve noticed.”
“Casual observation.”
“If you say so. So where shall we go to dinner?”
“You’re letting me choose?” she questioned, shocked. Didn’t most men say where they were taking their date? No, this wasn’t a date. They were just two people eating food together because they were hungry. Nothing more.
“You do know this town better, and I always value the input of a beautiful woman.”
When he said stuff like that, it dazzled her, mainly because no one had ever remarked on her looks before. She was usually the brain while her sister was the looker.
“There’s a Greek place I like.”
“I love Greek food. Am I allowed to drive you there, or do we have to meet there like we’re on a secret rendezvous?” He wagged his eyebrows up and down as he said rendezvous like it was scandalous.
Under normal circumstances, she would have her dining partner—she couldn’t call them dates because that would imply they had dated—meet her at the restaurant, but Michael already knew where she lived so there was no risk there. “You can pick me up at home at six-thirty.”
“I shall count the minutes in between.” His voice turned deep and husky as he reached out, took her limp hand, and kissed the back of it.
His lips were soft, like the petals of a rose.
He slowly released her hand as if he didn’t want to let her go and stepped away with a swagger and teasing smile as if hinting what she was allowing to walk away.
Andrea tried to catch her breath after their encounter. The man had a way of fumbling her brain.
“Oh, honey, he’s a keeper,” a shopper called from behind her, startling her once again.
“Thank you,” Andrea mumbled and pushed her cart forward while ducking her head down so the woman didn’t see her cheeks stained with red.