Through the years, I’ve discovered I’m this strange combination of analytical and impulsive. How do they balance out? Apparently, I act first, then spend tons of time thinking about it after. For example, I never considered what might happen when I decided to stay and help Kate yesterday. Somehow, it never occurred to me that I might end up spending the night. I sure as hell never thought she might be taking up this much time in my head, but how could she not? The woman was special. This consumed me as I sat in the booth.

Naturally, I beat Kate to the restaurant. As far as I’m concerned, that’s the way it should be. She should never be left sitting around waiting on me. I had the portfolio printed out in front of me, along with a pad of paper so I could take notes. My phone was open to read the latest emails from my father. For the most part, I felt prepared for this meeting. Kate had warned me not to push too much. I didn’t want to cause him pain or get her fired, so I’d tread lightly. Hell, now that we’d clicked, I wasn’t exactly trying to rush off, especially with my father footing the bill.

Soon enough, Kate came rushing in and I moved the paperwork so she could join me. “Wow. You’ve been busy,” she noted as she slid into the booth.

“Sadly, yes. My father sent me all kinds of information about this place. Did you know Mr. Nash wasn’t the original owner?” I grinned.

Her brow furrowed. “No. I had no idea.”

I leaned in conspiratorially. “He won it on a bet. Can you believe it? An entire hotel was his. Just like that!” I laughed.

Her eyes widened. “Wow. That’s really something.”

“Right?” I collected all the files and stashed them in my laptop bag. Then I smiled and gave Kate my full attention. “So, how has your day been?”

She tilted her head as she considered my words. “You know…not terrible. Mr. Nash has held it together. No tantrums today.”

I laughed. “Which is good because…heart.” She looked surprised. “See? I remembered. I pay attention.”

“Good.” Kate nodded. Then she glanced behind me and I guessed our server had arrived.

“Ms. Summers.” The woman bowed her head in greeting. “I had no idea you’d be joining us today. Would you like me to have chef whip you up something special?” She looked back and forth between us.

Licking her lips, Kate grinned. “I don’t suppose he has any fresh lobster?”

“I know he does. Lobster rolls?” She seemed incredibly excited as she watched for my approval.

“I’ve never actually had a lobster roll, but I love seafood, so let’s give it a try.” I shrugged.

Kate laid a hand on her chest as she gasped. “You’ve never had lobster rolls? How is this possible?”

I tugged my chin. “My mother is allergic to seafood. My father hates messy food.” I leaned in conspiratorially. “He even eats pizza with a fork. He’s a bit of a disappointment.”

“Wait.” Kate interrupted with a frown. “Chicken wings?”

“Won’t touch them.” I shook my head.

“Subs. Regular sandwiches.” She held out a hand prepared to tick off food.

I sighed. “If he has to eat it with his hands, then we never ate it. Satisfied?”

She pursed her lips. “I wouldn’t say I’m satisfied, but you did answer my question.” Kate reached across the table and ever so dramatically took my hands in hers. “I have so much to teach you,” she teased.

I couldn’t help myself. I leaned over and planted a kiss on her lips. “Looking forward to it, gorgeous.” My lips curved up and I felt like a fool for grinning so widely.

Across from me, she sat back and blinked a couple of times while her cheeks turned pink. “Few people surprise me, Ty, but you do—every single day.”

“Well, you surprise me too. The lobster roll is another layer of your mystery.” Though she had released my hands, I continued to hold one of her hands. I loved the feel of her skin, the way her tiny hand fit inside mine. This felt all tingly and new yet completely natural at the same time. I couldn’t help but marvel at the situation.

She stared at our hands, our intertwined fingers, then sighed. “I’m not much of a mystery. I grew up on the east coast outside of Boston. I was sent to a private school so I could get cultured and mostly to keep me as far from Vegas and my father’s business dealings as possible.” Her brow furrowed. “I loved it out there.”

“So why come back?” I rubbed my thumb over her skin.

Kate blew out a breath. “My mother died. My father suddenly wanted me close. He needed me.” She rolled her eyes. “Still does. It’s like being in the mob. There’s no way out. So even though I may not like my situation, there’s no way around it.” She laughed, but it sounded hollow. “Enough about me. Tell me your story.” She nodded to encourage my sharing.

I sank some in my seat. “There’s not much to say. I’m mostly everything you guessed.” It pained me to admit how mostly shallow I was compared to her.

She scrunched up her face. “I hope your close is better than your sales pitch.” Kate giggled.

With a grin, I sat up straighter and leaned toward her, turning on all the charm. Her eyes widened and I took her hand in both of mine, kissing her knuckles before I spoke. “I’m a spoiled little rich kid, a product of private schools and country club society. Hell, my father even gave me a job with the company.” I smirked. “Only, I honestly love my life, I love what I do. I’m really good at it.”

Kate turned her head sideways. “There’s a ‘but.’ I can hear it in your voice. What is it? No one’s life is that perfect.”

My cheeks grew warm and I couldn’t meet her eyes. “I suck at relationships,” I murmured. “I don’t know how to be, what to do. My parents were lousy role models. Do I follow in their footsteps and make marriage a business arrangement?”

Her nose crinkled up like she’d smelled something completely foul. “That sounds terrible.”

“Right?” I blew out a breath. “So, I guess that leaves meeting someone and falling madly in love.”

Kate’s eyes narrowed. “You make it sound like there are only two ways to do this.”

“Well, I’ve always been an all or nothing kind of guy. I need to be madly in love or completely detached. At least I’m honest, right?” I licked my lips. “I’ve done detached. I had given up on love.” I could feel my palms grow sweaty. This was different.

“Past tense,” she whispered. “You used past tense.”

I nodded. Then I pulled my hands back and rubbed them down my pants legs to dry them. “Yeah. In the past. Like day before yesterday.” I watched her for a reaction. I wasn’t disappointed. Her eyes widened. “Now.” I swallowed hard. “Well, now I almost believe in love at first sight.”

After licking her lips, Kate murmured, “Since when?”

Without thinking, I stood up and slid onto her side of the booth, pinning her in the corner. I cupped the side of her face with my hand. “Since I saw you standing on your patio holding a pan of raw chicken. Since Doug nearly beaned you with a golf ball. Since you showed me the binders.” I leaned closer and pressed my lips to hers even as she panted in anticipation. “Since we shared the bottle of wine. Since we skinny dipped in your pool.” I whispered in her ear. “Since we made love and then you fell asleep in my arms.”

When I began to pull away, she held my face in both of her hands. “You scare the crap out of me.” She sniffled and shook her head. “And if you knew my father, you’d understand that’s really saying something.”

I chuckled. “I kinda scared me too.” Then I slid back into my side of the booth. “Care to muddle through this together?”

The waitress suddenly appeared carrying our plates. “You’re in for a real treat,” she announced.

With a grin, I murmured, “I know I am.”