Page 47 of Made of Steele
He pulled a microphone and battery from his pocket. “I wanted to be sure you’re ready for this date and that starts with wiring you up.”
“Good. This is better than trying to get ready in a car. Otherwise I’m ready. Unless you think the dress is too much.” She ran her hands over her dress.
His nostrils flared. “Not too much. Any guy would be a fool not to want to go on this date with you.”
“What about you?”
“Me?” He gaped at her.
She’d caught him off guard, and she loved that. He’s been so controlled. In charge. Bossy. But now she had the upper hand, and she would relish it for a moment. “Would you like to date for real?”
“I don’t… I can’t.”
“If you’re thinking you can claim being UC as a reason not to, that’s going to end soon.”
“It’s not that.”
“I think I’m falling for you, Drew,” she admitted before she chickened out.
He jumped to his feet. “I don’t want you to fall for me. It’s not good for you.”
“Why on earth not?”
“Because I can’t give you what you want. What your family wants.”
Interesting.“What exactly do you think I want, and what does my family have to do with this?”
“They want to see you married with children. Happy. Fulfilled. And you want the same thing.”
“So? You’re not going undercover again. Why can’t I have that with you?”
“You just can’t, okay?” He marched to the door. “Time to head to the restaurant. Get this annoying date over with.”
Turning his back to her felt like a physical slap to the face, and it would take some time for her to recover, if ever.
13
Phone to her ear, Teagan adjusted the wire she’d hidden under her dress before leaving the office and walked toward the Italian restaurant. She scanned the area for Oliver’s arrival, but didn’t see a guy who looked like the pictures his mother had shared.
“I’m sorry.” Drew’s repentant voice came over her phone. “I shouldn’t have blown up on you like that. Don’t take your anger at me into lunch with you. You won’t be your best, and I don’t want you to be off your game.”
“I’m good,” she said, but she was far from good. She didn’t know what he had against dating, but it was a hot button for sure. And she was mad at herself for admitting to him that she was falling for him. For caring what he thought after she’d confessed her feelings. For being less than the professional she always strived to be.
She’d let the man’s intimate smile sucker her in, and she suddenly wanted what he said she wanted more than she’d ever known. Could she have been saying she didn’t want to get serious with a guy because she’d never found a guy who liked her for who she was? Who didn’t think she was too pushy and straightforward?
Drew didn’t seem to have a problem with that. Not even when she’d shoved him against a wall. He appreciated her strength. But Drew wasn’t the right guy, now was he? Totally not. He’d just told her that he was as interested in dating as he was in taking a bullet to the chest. Maybe the bullet enticed him more.
“Remember I’m right here,” he said, his tone soothing. “If you saysweat,I’ll come barging in.”
“I got it, Drew. See you on the other side.” She ended her call and entered the restaurant.
She was immediately hit with the enticing aroma of garlic, onions, and oregano. With such a tantalizing smell, she should plan on gaining twenty pounds at lunch today. If her nerves let her eat.
She stopped at the unmanned podium inside the door and scanned the room decorated in rust and yellow with big booths and mismatched chairs around worn tables. A darkly handsome guy matching Lauralee’s photo stood and waved at her. His navy suit with white shirt fit his trim shape as if custom made, and he’d paired it with a pale turquoise tie.
She approached his table, and he let his gaze roam over her. When it landed back on her face, his even white teeth flashed in a broad smile. She didn’t like his study, but she faked a smile to hide her true feelings. He had a close-cut beard and big eyes with dark lashes. He was, in a word,handsome—but he did nothing for her. Nothing at all. Still, she had to pretend.
“Oliver Rossi.” He held out his hand. “And I’m seriously hoping you are Meg Jacobs.”
