The Blind Date Read Online Free Page A

very expensive one, too.”
    His unwavering gaze held hers. “You were worth every dime. And more.”
     
     

     

Chapter Five
     
    Chicago, Friday, six years ago
     
    Shawna couldn’t hide her surprise when Ryan returned to Saks dressed in a white shirt, tie, and pressed slacks. He’d shaved off the day-old facial hair, and she smelled a hint of musk from his aftershave.
    Her brows lifted. “You clean up well.”
    “I didn’t make a good first impression so I figured I’d better bring my A-game. I passed this time?” Arms outstretched, he turned in a slow circle.
    He definitely had a nice body and she whistled, noting the firm butt and narrow waist. “Not bad, Mr. Stewart.”
    “Which reminds me. You owe me something.”
    “What’s that?”
    “A last name.”
    “It’s Ferguson.”
    “Shawna Ferguson,” he said, as if committing it to memory.
    “By the way, my co-workers have your name and they’re writing down your license plate number as we speak. So don’t do anything crazy.”
    “I wouldn’t dream of doing anything crazy—unless you want me to.” He drew a laugh when he wagged his eyebrows, and then he looked at the store to see two women standing at the window. He waved and they waved back. Returning his gaze to Shawna, he crooked his arm. “Your chariot awaits.”
    She looped her arm through his and followed to the illegally parked Lexus at the curb. She was enjoying this way too much even though she hardly knew him.
    “Nice chariot.”
    “It’s my brother’s and so are the clothes.”
    “Maybe I should be going to dinner with your brother.”
    “Watch your mouth.”
    She laughed at the mock hurt expression on his face and slid onto the soft leather of the passenger seat. Ryan got in and took the wheel. She had no idea where they were headed, but she had a feeling that if he’d gone to this much trouble, she wouldn’t be disappointed in his choice of restaurant.
    Michigan Avenue, aka the Magnificent Mile, had no shortage of places to dine. Every type of cuisine could be found on the main road or down the side streets. When he pulled up in front of a turn-of-the-century brownstone, she almost gasped.
    She’d eaten at the award-winning restaurant once and had fallen in love with the chef’s ability to create flavorful dishes from seasonal choices. The prix-fixe menu only offered four- or five-course meal options and it wasn’t cheap.
    Shawna swung her gaze to Ryan.
    He grinned, as if he knew he’d done good. “Still making a good impression?”
    “Definitely.”
    Inside, large floral arrangements bursting with summer flowers adorned the dining room. Knock-offs of impressionist paintings and abstracts from local artists hung on the walls. A hostess escorted them to a table where they immediately ordered a four-course meal and a bottle of wine.
    The time passed quickly, thanks to Ryan’s sense of humor. By the time the cheese course arrived—a plated assortment of mild to sharp cheeses, accompanied by a baguette, sliced figs, dried apricots, and nuts—Shawna found herself laughing at everything he said. She didn’t know if it was because he was so funny or because of the almost empty bottle on the table between them.
    She rested her chin in one hand and swirled a glass of white wine in the other. “Okay, truth time. You’re not unattractive so I can’t figure out why you feel the need to follow women around and try to seduce them with expensive meals at French restaurants.”
    She sipped from the glass, eyeing him through her lashes over the rim. Oh boy, she was full-on flirting now. Maybe she needed to slow down. She set the glass on the table.
    Leaning back in the chair, Ryan watched her with an amused expression. He tended to smile a lot, which was nice. It made his blue eyes sparkle like the sun bouncing off ocean waves.
    “Is it working?”
    “Yes, but you can’t seriously tell me you don’t have a girlfriend somewhere.”
    His smile wobbled before slipping back into