Nervous Flier Read Online Free Page B

next time I take you on a date, it won't be because you need a favor." Dawson had a teasing edge to his voice, but she noted a hint of seriousness in his tone.
    A date? It really was a date? The last time Noel had been on a date with a man who didn’t try to stick his tongue down her throat had been when she was fifteen years old. Yet the thought of it being a date regardless of that fact—and that he had said again —still made her want to skip. Her thoughts immediately jumped to Peter again. She was definitely fickle. What kind of woman started dating days after she found out her boyfriend of two years was actually a royal asshole? Though most of her brain produced silence, a small voice said, "A smart one, because no matter what he said, he never really was your boyfriend at all." Pinching hurt filled her, but she shook her head and focused on what was important. Dawson.
    "You can take me out tonight without it being because of a favor." Noel tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I took care of the problem myself. I was actually looking for a place to get a job, and I found one."
    "Really?" Dawson responded with such enthusiasm it almost made her laugh. He sounded more excited than she felt. "And if that doesn't work out, I do have some great connections. But we must go out and celebrate. How about I pick you up at eight o'clock at your hotel? I know just the place we can go for a situation like this."
    ****
    The restaurant was French, fancy, and expensive. Even sitting in a plush red chair while clutching a goblet of red wine made Noel nervous. Classical music played as a waiter in a suit wandered around taking orders. A dessert tray of glistening delicacies taunted her from the corner. But all of those extras were nothing compared to the man who sat across from her. Dawson, gorgeous as ever, was far more tempting than all of the desserts in the world, even if he looked like a kid playing dress-up in his suit. He had even attempted to slick back his golden blond locks, but his hair sprung out and framed his face, refusing to give in to the assault. Noel wanted to laugh, but she didn't because she was touched Dawson had gone so far to please her. Peter had never done anything like this.
    "I'm glad you came out with me tonight," Dawson said. "I wasn't sure where we stood after last night."
    "To be honest, I wasn't sure either." Noel sighed in relief that Dawson had brought up last night so she could clear the air about her worries. "It felt like a date, but…you know…you didn't make a move or anything."
    "Well, I was sure you were going out with somebody else." Dawson shrugged. "No woman flies from one country to another to visit a platonic friend. I'm not an asshole. I wouldn't want to do anything that would make you uncomfortable, either. I didn't want to rush something that had the potential to be really good."
    For a second Noel didn't say anything. Dawson's hammer struck the head of the nail. Bringing up the topic of her dating someone else reproduced the sting, but if she was going to date Dawson, he had to know the truth. He had to know about Peter and the fact she was worried about dating so soon. It was only fair to him to know. Maybe he would go running in the opposite direction, but she had always valued honesty, even if it meant losing something in the process. Unfortunately, in this case she could be losing Dawson. Guys hadn't exactly stuck around for long, even before the time of Peter-the-dickhead.
    "I should probably tell you what happened …" Noel sighed.
    "I would like to know," Dawson said, "but it won't be a big deal to me. I promise."
    "I find that people who promise things like that are usually the worst offenders when it comes to running for the hills." Noel grinned weakly. "But okay."
    Telling Dawson everything was both relieving and frightening. After she had finished, she stared at Dawson, attempting to gage his reaction. It wouldn't have surprised her if he threw in the towel and got up