She picked up the muffin, peeled back the top and grinned. “Bacon, egg and cheese.”
“I can get you one with sausage if you prefer.”
“No thanks. Bacon is my fave.”
She took a bite and closed her eyes, nodding her head as she chewed the sandwich.
“Good?” he asked.
“Amazing. Roberto knows how to make a simple sandwich taste great,” she mumbled around another mouthful.
“Do you want another one to take with us?” he asked, realizing she must be really hungry.
She giggled, covering her mouth. “I’m completely pigging out, aren’t I?”
“Not at all. I usually have two or three myself,” he lied, not wanting her to feel bad for wanting to eat. She could use a few pounds on her petite frame.
She shook her head. “This is perfect. I don’t want to be full and ready for a nap during my interview.”
“You look amazing by the way. I love this no-nonsense thing you’ve got going. It’s the ponytail. You look like a lawyer getting ready to go into a courtroom and eat someone for lunch,” he joked.
She sipped from the cup of coffee he handed her. “Thank you. I figured I better clean up a little. This coffee shop isn’t like the others I’ve worked at. It’s obvious they cater to a more exclusive clientele.”
He shrugged a shoulder. “Sweetheart, you look great in jeans or anything you put on. Just be you. If you’re not comfortable in that outfit, don’t wear it.”
“I’m comfortable. It’s just strange to dress up beyond the jeans and t-shirts. For so long, I tried to blend in. I didn’t want anyone to notice me. It’s going to take a little getting used to. I want this job. It would be nice to work so close to you,” she said with a smile.
“That would be great. I like the idea of having you a few steps away. I can visit whenever I get a free minute,” he said, very excited about the idea.
The upscale coffee shop did cater to the business men and women that worked in the area. Executives and their assistants frequented the shop. It was a coffee shop that focused on coffee, gourmet coffee. He knew she liked the bakery, but hoped this would make her happy as well.
She wiped her hands on a napkin, took another drink from her coffee and dashed back down the hall. When she returned a few minutes later, he saw a fresh sheen of lip gloss and could smell the minty freshness of toothpaste.
“Ready,” she said.
“Alright, let me grab my briefcase.”
Together they walked out to his Range Rover, and he held the door open for her as she climbed in. The drive into the city was fairly quick as he expertly navigated what he liked to consider his secret routes. He pulled up in front of the coffee shop and reached over to put a hand on her thigh.
“Wish me luck,” she muttered.
“You don’t need luck. You’ve got this. They’d be crazy not to hire you. I’m almost regretting encouraging you to apply here. All the young men are going to be flocking to this place to see you. I’d hate to have to break more noses,” he joked.
She leaned over and gave him a quick kiss. “We’ll see about that. Thank you for the ride. I’ll call you later.”
“Call and let me know how this goes. I’m rooting for you.”
She jumped out of the SUV and shut the door before turning to give him a small wave. He watched her walk in and hoped like hell she got the job. She needed to be grounded. Having a job would give her some roots as well as that independence she wanted so bad.
When he got to work, all he could think about was her. He knew she would be a good hire. She was gorgeous, friendly and had a way about her that was easy going, yet professional. She knew how to deal with the haughty folks that tended to work in the area.
Chapter Seven
Katherine
KATHERINE DID HER BEST not to stare, but she couldn’t help but find herself watching the man who had identified himself as the manager, Bruce, when she walked in and gave her name. The place was hopping. There was a steady stream of customers, and unlike the other shops she’d worked in, this place employed a full staff. She counted at least five people behind the counter, and Bruce said they were shorthanded.
She drank the water he’d given her whe