TooHottoTouch Read Online Free Page B

something
special.”
    Zoë shared a look with Grace. Before the guys had arrived,
they had discussed how the bill would be paid. They were pretty sure the men
were going to grab it, so they had intended to keep the cost low. So much for
that plan. She tried a different tack. “I own a diner; food is never
particularly special. I mean, I can get most of this anytime.”
    “How about a filet? You don’t serve that at your place.”
    Rats, he had her there, and she did love a good cut of meat.
She shifted again. “Why don’t we split one?”
    He shook his head. “Sorry, I have a big appetite. I want one
all to myself.”
    “Give it up,” advised Grace with a chuckle. “I am.”
    “Fine. Filet it is.” She felt uncomfortable spending all his
money, and as the person who paid him, she had a good idea of what he had in
his pocket. It mattered to him though, and if she pressed, she would make him
feel bad. Their date would suck and then what would have been the point?
    Sitting back, she lifted her glass and contented herself
with looking at him. So handsome and desirable, he took her breath away. God,
he looked young despite his very grown-up clothes, or perhaps because of them.
He lowered his menu and looked back at her. Sexual tension rose up between
them. It tugged her body toward him. His knee bumped hers and jangled her
nerves. Mary, mother of God, this was harder than she had imagined. Being
around him all day when they were busy at work had kept desire at bay. Nothing
held it back now.
    The server returned with the guys’ drinks. They ordered
their meal and began the ritual of small talk. Grace and Mark were so relaxed
with each other and had so many interesting stories to tell about their days
that it was easy to sit back and enjoy the evening. Halfway through the main
course, reality crashed the party in the form of Harry Niarchos.
    “Zoë?” She turned to see the old family friend approach the
table. Harry had gone to school with Zoë and her ex and had ended up in the
“his” pile when they divvied up their friends during the divorce.
    “Hi, Harry. How are you?”
    “Can’t complain. It’s been what, ten years?”
    Zoë nodded. “Just about.” Resigned to this encounter turning
into a more protracted event, she introduced Grace and Mark, but when she
gestured at Sean, Harry interrupted.
    “Wait, don’t tell me this is little Nicky all grown up? I
don’t remember him having red hair, and I thought he took a summer job in
Chicago.”
    Zoë froze, shocked into silence by the terrible and yet not
ridiculous mistake. Sean, however, didn’t seem to have that problem.
    He half rose from his seat and stuck out his hand. “Sean
Conroy.” After a perfunctory shake, he sat back down and winked at Zoë.
    For a few seconds, no one said anything. Harry cleared his
throat, the implication of what he saw sinking in. “Oh, ah, nice to meet you,”
he sputtered out. “Nice to meet all of you. Good to see you, Zoë. My best to
your family.”
    “Thank you, Harry. Good to see you too. Bye,” she added to
his retreating back.
    Zoë didn’t know where to look or what to say. The guys broke
the silence by bursting out in laughter. Sean stopped immediately when she shot
him an exasperated look. Mark did the same with a poke from Grace. Her date
sipped at his iced tea before clearing his throat.
    “Sorry. No offense to your friend, but that guy needs to
have his eyes examined. No way I’m young enough to be your son. He was way off
base.”
    Zoë gave him a weak smile in return. It was sweet of him to
say it, and yet if they stood any kind of chance together, he needed to be
clear on how old she was. “My son is twenty-one.”
    “See,” he replied.
    She leaned over the table. “My daughter is twenty-four.”
    He didn’t so much as blink at her. “My point still stands.”
    It was there in his eyes, the earnestness of his answer. She
knew he was only a few years older than her children, and yes, she had