---

The date - although I still wasn’t sure it was a date, despite the delicious food and drinks - went a lot better than I expected. I found myself laughing at Bodhi and getting more comfortable around him. I took him for a rich brat - and, to a degree, he was - but he was more than that. He was genuine and sweet and concerned. He went out of his way to make sure I had all I needed from him. And he treated me like I was some sort of princess. I didn’t think I’d had a better date in my life - dinner. Not date.

“Can I walk you to your car?” Bodhi added when we finished, standing up as I stood up. “I know it’s Westport and nothing happens here, but I’d like to make sure you get to your car safely. That, and it gives me an excuse to be with you longer.”

I felt my cheeks turn red despite myself. “You’re incorrigible,” I murmured, grabbing my purse and sliding the strap over my shoulder.

“Why?” Bodhi asked, his voice low and husky.

I swallowed. I was not the sort of person who slept with someone I barely knew. But the way he looked at me with those dark eyes, the curve of his lips as he continued to stare at me, I felt my insides turn into mush and my resolve weakened.  

“Let’s be honest with each other, Bodhi,” I murmured as I looked up at him. “We barely know each other. You seem to want something with me and whether it’s your intention or not, it seems like you’re only interested because of the way I look.”

Bodhi cracked a grin as he started to lead me out of the bar. The bitter air surprised both of us. I hadn’t anticipated the cold and my attire reflected that. Without saying a word, Bodhi wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me close to his body. I was surrounded by the scent of the ocean: the cool, clean, slightly salted scent. I felt my body warm under our closeness and I didn’t want to leave his hold, even if I should have. The slight breeze pushed my hair from my face and I ducked my head. I hoped he couldn’t see how happy I was. It would completely ruin my ball-buster reputation.

“You are beautiful,” he acknowledged. “But you’re sweet and you’re skilled. You’re educated. When your parents left you the café, instead of running from your problems, you embraced it. I, on the other hand, did the opposite. You are strong and resilient and successful. I’ve seen my friends and family find happiness and I’m ready to do the same.”

“Maybe you think it’s with me because I’m the first single woman you’ve seen since you’ve made that decision,” I said.

“Or maybe it’s because I genuinely like you and I want to see where this goes,” he replied.

I opened my car door and slid inside, avoiding his eyes.

“I would love the opportunity to take you on a second date,” he continued. “Come on. What do you say?”

I sighed. I should say no, but when I opened my mouth to do just that, the word wouldn’t come out. It should have been simple and easy. It should have been quick. Instead, what came out of my mouth instead was: “We should do it at the café after hours. I can show you a plethora of café food.”

He smiled so brightly I had to look away, just like I did with the sun. But my heart fluttered when he said it was a date.

The next day, it was difficult for me to focus. Each time the bell of the door jangled, my head would snap up, expecting Bodhi - even though it made no sense because it was too early for our second date and he was running a bar - and feeling surprisingly disappointed when it wasn’t him.

By the time my last customer exited the building, I had just enough time to pop two paninis in the toaster oven, change, and apply makeup. Bodhi finally appeared a few minutes after I put on ballerina flats and was sliding an earring through my earlobe.

He looked breathtaking in a leather jacket and blue jeans. His dark hair fell into his face and he was smiling. He was always so happy, it was hard to be mad at him.

I grabbed the paninis after I let him in and we both took a seat. The food was delicious, the company even better. The night was going much better than I anticipated up until there was another knock on the door. When I picked my head up to look through the glass, my heart stopped.

What was Mark doing here?

Bodhi turned in his seat to look at Mark. The minute he saw Mark, Bodhi stood to his full height and squared his shoulders. I would have rolled my eyes if I wasn’t focused on Mark and his dropping by unexpectedly.

I went to the door. I was surprised Bodhi didn’t say something terribly caveman about how I shouldn’t answer and I should let him handle it. Instead, he remained standing silently while I move to unlock the door. “What do you want?” I asked. I didn’t bother trying to be polite.

Mark tried to peek his head in but I did a decent job at preventing him from doing so. When he realized he wasn’t getting in so easily, he dropped his eyes to me.

“What are you doing in here anyway?” he asked. When his eyes landed on Bodhi, they narrowed. “Who is he and why is he with you?”

“That’s none of your business,” I told him. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.” I made to close the door, but Mark put his arm up, preventing me from doing so.

“Actually, it is my business, Norah,” he said, his eyes back on me. “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. Your parents sold the café. I’m assuming they didn’t tell you about it. But I bought it. Your café is mine now.”