A Date for the Masquerade (The Dating 10) - Page 7

“I can do twelve o’clock. Does that work for you?”

“It does. How about at The Corner Café?”

He chuckles. “Glad you picked there. They have the best soups.”

They really do. My stomach growls just thinking about their broccoli cheddar. “See you there.”

I have two hours to get ready, so I take a quick shower and break out the skinny jeans and boots. October weather in North Carolina is funny, especially in Charlotte. In the past, we’ve had ninety-degree days up until November, but not this year. It’s been very fall-like with bright blue skies and chilly winds that makes the leaves fall from the trees. Not to mention, pumpkin spice in everything. Even my body wash is pumpkin apple. All the candles I light in my house are cinnamon pumpkin scented. I even use them in the spring and summer. Guess you can say it’s autumn all year long in my house.

By the time I finish my makeup, I have plenty of time to get downtown. Parking can be a nightmare. Grabbing my notebook and purse, I head on my way in my charcoal gray convertible BMW. It’s the nicest car I’ve ever owned, and I take pride in it. I’ve worked hard for what I have.

During the drive downtown, I listen to music for a little while and the rest of the time, I run through everything I’m going to say to Damien in my head. I don’t want to forget any of the important details. Once I get to the parking deck, I park my car and walk the two blocks to The Corner Café. It’s literally a café on the corner.

I walk in and the hostess seats me at a four-person table. The walls are a royal blue with gold furnishings throughout the building. It gives off an eclectic vibe, which I like. Also, the food is phenomenal.

“Hi there. Are you waiting on others?” the waitress asks. She’s young with thick-rimmed glasses and long, blonde hair.

“I am,” I tell her. “He should be here soon. I’m a few minutes early.”

She nods. “Awesome. I’ll grab you a water while you wait.”

“That’d be great. Thanks.” I hang my purse on the back of the chair and flip through all the paperwork. Almost all the tables in the café are full, but it’s to be expected. They have the best food in downtown and they’re fast. It’s not easy grabbing a bite to eat in the area in just an hour’s time for a lunch break; especially at a place with such exceptional food. The restaurant door opens and in walks Damien, dressed in a pair of jeans and plain gray T-shirt, looking almost like a college student. He takes off his sunglasses and when he sees me, he waves. I wave back, but then the door opens behind him and in comes Owen Jameson, the man I ran into and probably broke a couple of his toes by how hard I stepped on his foot. He’s the complete opposite of Damien with his dark blond hair perfectly coifed and wearing gray suit pants and a long-sleeved white button-down shirt. He could pass for a J. Crew model.

Damien waits for Owen and they both walk over to the table together. I stand and hold out my hand. “Hi. Thanks for coming.” They both shake my hand and I catch myself staring at Owen. There’s a feeling inside of me I can’t shake; it’s like I know him from somewhere.

Owen flourishes a hand toward my seat. “Ladies first.” I sit down and they each take their seats. “Hopefully, you don’t mind me tagging along. I don’t think I mentioned it the other day, but I’m the other owner of the station.”

My heart skips a beat and I gasp. “Oh wow, I didn’t know. It’s nice to actually meet you, now that I’m not stepping on your toes.” He chuckles and the sound of his laugh makes me lose my breath. I know I’ve heard that laugh before.

“It’s okay,” he says, smiling at me his pearly white teeth and bright blue eyes. “It was hard to walk the rest of the day, but I’m okay now.” From the mischievous glint in his eyes, I know he’s joking.

Damien’s phone rings and he holds it up. “I gotta take this. I’ll be right back.” He hurries outside, leaving me alone with Owen. I’m not complaining in the least.

I look right into his eyes. “I really am sorry for stepping on your foot.”

He waves me off. “It’s okay. I’m just glad I got to meet you. All I’ve heard are great things.”

That makes me feel good. “Jordan and I do the best we can.”

Damien hurries back in but doesn’t take his seat. “I hate to do this, but I have to go.” He turns to me apologetically. “Owen is the main decision maker anyway. You can run it all by him.”

Tags: Heidi McLaughlin The Dating Romance
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