Shelley crossed the room and stood next to her. “Did you invite him?”
“Who?” Carlie set the second water back on the table.
“Nick.” Shelley let out a low whistle. “That is one fine-looking man.”
The ice rattled around the water pitcher in her hand, but Carlie directed her attention to the diners at the table. “Do you need anything else?”
“Edith says I shouldn’t, but I’d love a cupcake.” The gentleman’s wide smile deepened the wrinkles around his eyes and he patted his round belly.
Across the table, Edith scowled, but Carlie smiled back at him. “I only have chocolate left. Is that okay?”
At his nod, Shelley patted her arm. “I’ll get the cupcake. You see what super hunk wants.”
Carlie turned to the doorway and the air suddenly became too thin as Nick’s eyes locked onto hers. He wore a dark blue dress shirt and black slacks. Dark hair feathered away from his forehead. Forcing herself to breathe again, Carlie started across the room. She prayed the smile on her face didn’t look as strained as it felt.
After he rescued her from Stephen last night, there hadn’t been a lot of time left to spar. Once class ended, Carlie had changed her clothes and hurried from the dojo, a little embarrassed by the whole situation. She must look foolish to him, letting Stephen treat her that way...she certainly felt foolish.
“Nick. It’s nice to see you.” She stopped in front of him, still displaying a smile that felt too wide for her face. “Did you come for dinner?”
“No.”
One word was all it took to provoke a tremor of nerves in her stomach. His eyes were so brown, they almost seemed black, and it was hard to look away.
“I came for you, Carlie.”
She rather felt like a mouse staring into the face of a hungry hawk with the way his piercing gaze never wavered. Forcing a laugh, she broke eye contact and looked at her hands, only then realizing she wrung them together. “For me? Why?”
“I waited for you last night after class, but you must have finished dressing faster than me. A few people told me where to find you.”
Her heart fluttered excitedly, but Carlie reminded herself what Nick had said. Lots of girls offered him dates for Saturday night. He wanted a training partner. He wasn’t interested in her, not as a woman. Even though the way he stared at her—as though she was the only person in the room—seemed to say otherwise, she couldn’t let herself think that.
She cleared her throat and shoved her hands into the pockets of her apron, staring at Nick’s chest so his eyes couldn’t trap hers again. “I’m sorry I left without saying goodbye. I had an early start to my day here and needed to get home.”
“It’s fine.” He shrugged. “I’m just glad to see that ass... Excuse me, I meant jerk. Glad to see that jerk didn’t bother you again. I planned on walking you to your car.”
Despite herself, she glanced back up. “That’s very thoughtful of you, but don’t worry about Stephen. He’s a pain, but harmless.”
Nick’s lip curled on one side. “Don’t be so sure of that. I’ve seen his type.” He shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. I’ll have you doing the best defenses in no time. He won’t touch you again.”
Old instincts died hard. Carlie had learned to be suspicious of anyone who expressed an interest in her. “Why do you care so much?”
“Because...” Now it was his turn to look away, and Carlie thought he wouldn’t answer. He pressed his lips together before speaking again, “Because I’ve wanted to talk to you since I first saw you.”
“Right. Because you need a dedicated training partner.”
He shook his head. “Because I’ve been hoping you’d let me take you to dinner.”
“Me?” She sucked in a shocked breath. “But what about Shelley or—”
“Excuse us. You’re blocking the door,” a cranky voice said.
Carlie turned to see the elderly couple standing behind her. The man had a scowl on his face. “Is everything okay? Was something wrong with your cupcake?”
“Yes,” he huffed. “Edith ate most of it and the waitress said they were all gone and couldn’t get me another one.”
Edith grinned and took his hand in hers. “Don’t worry, Henry. I told you we’d come back next week.”
Struggling not to laugh and frustrate Henry further, Carlie stepped out of their way so they could leave the shop. “I’m so happy you’ll be back. We’re closed tomorrow, but I’ll have more cupcakes Monday.”
“We’ll be early so I get one,” Henry promised. “This woman thinks if she eats off my plate, the calories don’t count against her diet.”
“Well then,” Carlie said, unable to contain her laugh, “Monday you’ll have to order two.”
Nick opened the door for the pair and they ambled out of the shop hand in hand, seeming happy to be together. Carlie had imagined her life that way with Ryan; they’d grow old together, irritating each other while being deliriously happy. Instead, he’d died after only three years of marriage.
It seemed something always triggered memories of her old life, and Carlie wondered if a day would ever go by where she didn’t think about Ryan. Things might not have been perfect, but they’d been working on it. She rubbed her eyes, suddenly feeling tired.
“Something wrong?”
Looking at Nick, she sighed. It would have been nice, but dates with handsome strangers weren’t for her. “I appreciate the offer for dinner, but I really think you’d have a better time with someone else. Shelley told me earlier she didn’t have a date tonight. You should ask her.”
His brow furrowed. “You don’t want to go? Shelley said you weren’t seeing anyone, and I hoped you’d give me a chance.” He gave her his piercing stare again. “You seem different than the normal run of women I date. I want to know you better.”
Handsome strangers are dangerous to your health, woman. Don’t be swayed by those eyes.
“I don’t know what makes you think I’m different than anyone else. I’m just a regular person.”
“Who’s fighting hard to get her black belt in karate and runs her own business.” He took a step closer to her and the subtle scent of his musky cologne wafted through the air. “You’re intriguing, Carlie Hollis. Have dinner with me. If we don’t have anything to talk about or don’t get along, we can just be sparring partners with no harm done. I promise. There’s no pressure for anything more. You have to eat anyway, right?”
Before she could answer, the buzzer sounded at the door again as it opened and a man entered. He saw Carlie and flashed teeth that seemed extra white in contrast with his dusky skin. Brushing his black hair from his eyes, he nodded her direction. “Anything for me to pick up today?”
Not sure whether she welcomed his interruption, Carlie nodded and waved him over. “First, come meet my new friend from karate class. Nick Kendall, meet Muhammad Khan.” The men shook hands. “Muhammad runs a soup kitchen down on thirty-second street, Compassion For All.”
“That’s admirable,” Nick said. “I’ll have to come check it out some time.”
“We can always use extra help handing out food,” Muhammad told him. “And any amount of money is welcome, if you have it to spare.”
Carlie was always surprised the way Muhammad had no problems asking for what he needed. Then again, he’d built Compassion For All mostly on charitable contributions. He was used to asking.
Nick nodded, seeming unfazed by Muhammad’s forwardness. “I’m more of a contributor than a hand’s on guy. If Carlie thinks what you’re doing is worthwhile, I’ll think strongly about writing a check.”
“Every little bit helps.” Muhammad put his arm around Carlie’s shoulder and squeezed her to his side. “Things have been a lot easier since this wonderful lady moved to town. She donates a lot of food and even bakes for us sometimes.”
Nick’s mouth firmed into a thin line and some of the warmth melted from him. “So you guys are close, huh?” Although he directed the words at Mu
hammad, he glanced at the space between Muhammad’s and her body—or rather, lack of space.
Suddenly uncomfortable with Nick’s scrutiny, Carlie ducked from under Muhammad’s arm. “Why don’t we grab the food? I don’t have much bread left, but there’s a pot of soup that needs to be eaten by Monday.”
Without waiting for a reply, Carlie started toward the kitchen. She didn’t know what to make of Nick’s reaction. He seemed almost jealous of Muhammad touching her, but that was crazy. She had to be reading him wrong. Why would Nick care? They’d barely met each other, and she hadn’t even agreed to go out with him.
Though if Muhammad hadn’t walked in, she was sure she would have. It was a nice dream, for a few seconds. By the time she finished packing the food, she was sure Nick would have come to his senses and asked Shelley out. He must even now be wondering what possessed him to ask her.
Muhammad followed her into the kitchen. “I don’t think your new boyfriend likes me.”
“He’s not my boyfriend.” She grabbed a plastic tub from the cupboard above the sink and set it on the countertop. “I think the soup is cool enough to pour in, but I’ll let you do it. It’s pretty heavy.”
While Muhammad busied himself with the soup pot, Carlie bagged the small amount of leftover bread. Even though Shelley didn’t understand the need Carlie had to help Muhammad, it made her happy to know she was making a difference in other’s lives.
“One of my favorite trips was when I traveled with my parents to Africa.” She twisted the bag closed and secured it with a plastic clip. “It was their mission to distribute mosquito nets to fight malaria and I played with the children there.”
“And where are your parents now?”
Carlie jumped, startled. She couldn’t believe she’d just told some of her past to Muhammad. It wouldn’t do for anyone around here to learn enough information to lead to her real identity. Not that she expected Muhammad to betray her to anyone, but he might talk to someone without realizing it could hurt her.
“Forget I said anything.” She shook her head. “I sometimes feel the need to justify why I enjoy helping your charity. Certain people don’t understand.”
Muhammad rummaged in the bottom drawer to the right of the sink, long familiar with where Carlie kept things after so many months working together. He pulled out the lid for the tub of soup and snapped it into place. “You do realize Shelley’s an employee, right? She has no say in what you do with the leftovers.”
“She’s my friend.” Carlie shrugged. “But you’re right, she doesn’t understand.”
“I’m glad you don’t let that stop you. A lot of people are benefiting from your kindness.” Muhammad picked up the soup and headed for the doorway, and Carlie followed behind with the bread.
They stepped into the dining room. Although she expected Nick to be gone, he sat in the booth nearest the exit, watching her. Shelley stood in the corner, flirting with her adventure guys, and the rest of the customers had cleared out. Nick jumped up to open the door, but didn’t follow them out.
After they put the food in Muhammad’s truck, he gave her a quick hug. “You’re a good person, Carlie. I appreciate everything you do to help me.” He chuckled and stepped away from her, nodding toward the door of Carlie’s Creations. “But your boyfriend just saw that hug, and he’s really going to hate me now.”
“He’s not my—”
“Then he wants to be.” He hopped into the driver’s seat and started the engine, winking before he drove away.
Carlie turned to the shop. Nick stared at her through the glass doorway. She hurried back to the building, shivering as the wind cut through her cotton t-shirt, and Nick held the door again.
“Shelley said you need about an hour to close up shop,” he said without preamble. “I’ll be back to pick you up then. Do you like Chinese food? There’s a new place over on Mill Plain I want to try.”
But I didn’t say yes.
That was a weak excuse. She wanted to say yes, even though she knew better.
Shelley picked that moment to approach them. “I couldn’t help but overhear, Nick. Better give her an hour and a half.” Her friend bumped Carlie’s hip with her own and leaned to whisper in her ear, “I’ll help you get ready. You’re going to wow him!”
“Okay, fine.” Carlie was obviously outnumbered. “I'd love to have dinner. See you at seven-thirty.”
***
Nick didn’t bother to hide his victorious grin while leaving Carlie’s Creations. He’d been in Sayle, Washington a month, and from the second he stepped foot in town, his objective was to get Carlie on a date. As much as Shelley irritated him yesterday, she’d certainly changed her tune and become helpful tonight.
What he’d observed about Carlie still rang true. She didn’t trust very easily. For a minute there, he was sure she wanted to refuse dinner. With Shelley backing him up, Carlie hadn’t stood a chance. Her support definitely gave him an advantage.
He hopped into his red Porsche, started it up, and pulled onto the road. Although disappointing, he wouldn’t be able to impress Carlie by driving around with the top down. He pictured how she’d look with her hair blowing back, a smile on her face, as they cruised around. However, it was November and cold. No way he could take her out for a spin like that. Carlie didn’t strike him as the kind of woman impressed with fancy cars anyway.
He wished he knew what did impress her. Hopefully dinner was a good start.
Turning left at the light, Nick headed for his hotel. If he ended up staying here very long, he’d have to think about renting an apartment. Unless, of course, he found himself staying at a certain blonde’s house.
But those were thoughts for the future. Tonight, he wanted to get to know her better and convince her to agree to a second date.
Chapter Three
“Open your eye wider,” Shelley ordered.
Carlie did her best not to flinch away from the mascara brush as Shelley did her magic. Never one to wear much makeup, Carlie feared she would look like a clown. Shelley refused to let her peek into a mirror until she finished.
“You know, Nick’s been asking questions about you for the past two weeks. Whether you were single, that sort of stuff,” Shelley said, the stiff little brush coming within centimeters of Carlie’s eyeball. “I wondered how long it’d take him to get his courage up and ask you out.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?” If Carlie had known Nick was interested, she might have taken a little more care with how she looked. Scratch that concern—more importantly, she wouldn’t have been forced to date Stephen if she had the confidence to ask Nick for help.
Shelley shrugged and put the mascara wand back in its bottle, then grabbed a tube of red lipstick from the backpack she brought in from her car. “I didn’t want to get your hopes up, in case things didn’t work out.”
Which translated to, she thought she could interest Nick in herself instead. After all, Carlie hadn’t missed the way she shamelessly flirted with him during class.
Carlie still floated on a cloud of disbelief that he’d rather have dinner with her than Shelley. However, if he showed up in the next fifteen minutes to pick her up, she’d no longer be able to deny it.
“I’m nervous,” she admitted, watching Shelley uncap the lipstick. “I haven’t dated much the last six years.” She didn’t count her relationship two years ago. That had been a purely physical attraction to someone she considered a friend. It hadn’t involved much actual dating.
“Pout your lips.” Once she complied with the demand, Shelley applied the sticky color. “You don’t talk much about your past. You had a serious relationship six years ago? Did it end badly?”
Even though Carlie trusted Shelley, she kept her private life a closely guarded secret from her for the same reason she didn’t tell Muhammad about her parents. Shelley couldn’t reveal what she didn’t know.
“In a way,” she said awkwardly, struggling to keep her lips stiff. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
Procuring a tissue from somewhere in her bag, Shelley placed it against Carlie’s mouth. “Blot.”
Carlie obediently pressed her lips into the tissue while Shelley stood with a hairbrush in hand. She teased Carlie’s hair and sprayed it with hairspray before brushing it down again. Carlie wondered how many beauty supplies the woman kept on hand at any given time.
“If you haven’t dated in a while, I could give you a few pointers.”
Carlie grunted noncommittally, unsure she could ever follow advice Shelley gave. She’s way too...adventuresome.
Her grunt must have passed for assent, because Shelley continued, “First off, if you like him, don’t let the night end without getting him to ask you on a second date.”
Carlie rolled her eyes, though she knew Shelley couldn’t see her. “And how do I do that?”
“Oh, you know.” Shelley set to work ratting her hair again, apparently not satisfied with the first attempt. “Flirt, Carlie. You do know how to flirt, don’t you?”
“Sure I do.” She wasn’t about to admit that she never felt comfortable flirting. What could Shelley teach her in the remaining ten minutes before Nick arrived?
Ten minutes. Carlie wiped suddenly sweaty palms against her slacks, wishing she had time to go home and change her clothes. Waitress chic wasn’t very sexy.
“I hope so.” Shelley clearly doubted Carlie’s ability to handle a man like Nick. “Okay, so here’s the most important thing. No matter what, don’t let him get away without a goodnight kiss.”
“On the first date?”
She laughed. “The world moves fast, Carlie. If you want a man like Nick Kendall, you’ll have to keep up.” She passed the brush over Carlie’s hair a few more times and stepped out in front of her. “You look super hot. There’s no way he’ll resist you.” She pulled a small mirror from her bag and handed it over.
Staring in amazement at her reflection, Carlie never imagined she could look so pretty. Her hair fluffed around her shoulders, soft and feminine. Smokey eye shadow brought out the color of her eyes, turning them from their usual dull hazel to a sexy, vibrant green. Although Carlie knew Shelley piled on the makeup, she didn’t appear to be wearing a lot. She smiled, revealing the small gap in her front teeth, and quickly closed her mouth. Unfortunately, Shelley’s makeup couldn’t cover all her imperfections.
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