Not For Me Read Online Free Page A

three employees now—and I can do whatever I want.” He smiled faintly.
    “Your dad—”
    “It’s in remission.”
    “I’m glad.”
    The waiter came over, collected their empty plates, and brought them dessert menus.
    “It was a struggle at first,” Grant continued once the waiter had walked away. “Networking doesn’t come naturally to me. It’s not that I don’t like people—I just don’t like schmoozing, small talk, that sort of thing.”
    “I understand,” she said. “Although I’m the complete opposite.”
    “When I go to the dentist, I’d prefer if the hygienist didn’t talk except to tell me about my teeth.”
    “If you come see me, I promise not to talk.”
    “Actually, I wouldn’t mind because I know you. Just as long as you don’t ask me a question right after telling me not to move my mouth. I hate that.”
    * * * *
    After coffee and dessert, they stood outside on the rooftop patio for a few minutes. It was May, and the night air was chilly; he draped his sports jacket over her shoulders.
    “I think you pass.” Kristy smiled out at the city.
    The “that’s great” or “awesome” she was expecting didn’t materialize.
    “Something wrong?” She turned toward him.
    “No. Everything’s fine.” Grant looked at her and tilted his head to one side, as though he was trying to figure something out.
    “You should smile more.”
    “So I’m told.” He paused. “I’m just surprised you agreed so fast. Thought you might want to get to know me better. Maybe see my place, and make sure I’m not a hoarder.”
    “ Are you a hoarder?”
    “Of course not. I wouldn’t invite you over if I were.”
    It was a good idea. You could learn a lot about a man from his home. “Maybe Wednesday evening? I could swing by after dinner for a half hour.”
    “Why don’t I make you dinner? I promise I won’t poison you.”
    She put a finger to her lips. “Hmmm. Maybe I should do a criminal background check on you.”
    “If you like.”
    “I was joking.”
    “But it might make Maya feel better about me,” he said, “given her ex was a drug dealer.”
    “I think you need to have a reason for a criminal background check, and they might not approve of ours.”
    “True.” He quirked his lips. “And I may not have been caught yet.”
    “Until you poison me and I drop dead.”
    “I still might not get caught. I’m that good.”
    The wind picked up, and she pulled his jacket around her more tightly. It was enormous.
    “Are you cold? We can go in.”
    She looked at her watch. “Actually, I should be off. I’m meeting a friend.”
    “Of course. I shouldn’t keep you.”
    She linked her arm through his, although the height difference made it a little awkward. “I want Samuel to think your date is going well,” she said as they headed toward the door to the patio.
    “Then you should kiss me.”
    Oh?
    He stopped walking. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that. I don’t think my kissing abilities are something you should be investigating for Maya.”
    They continued toward the door, but she was curious now. What would it be like to kiss him? She bet his abilities would not be lacking. It would be gentle but not—
    Get a grip .
    Inside, he took the jacket off her shoulders. Gently. After he folded it over his arm, she gave him a peck on the cheek. Actually, it was more his jaw than his cheek—he was tall. A perfectly chaste kiss.
    “You didn’t need to do that,” he whispered, and his voice, so close to her ear, thrilled her.
    Then he kissed her cheek in return, and she tried not to think of his lips on hers, of his strong arms pulling her tight against him. It was wrong to be having such thoughts. She was setting him up with Maya, and they’d make a cute couple.
    “I guess we should be going.” She took a step toward the elevator. “Thank you very much for the lovely dinner.”
    His feet seemed stuck to the floor, but finally he came to join her by the elevator. “Yes. Of