Making Mr. Right by Val Daniels

Author:Val Daniels
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2011-05-27T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIX

SMALL talk erased the tension between them by the time they reached the hotel Parker said was home to the most highly touted rooftop restaurant in all of Kansas City. He pulled in between an impressive fountain and the hotel’s elegant entry as two men in long-coated red uniforms hurried to meet them. One opened her door with a flourish while the other stepped to Parker’s side and took the car keys Parker handed him, then slid into the driver’s seat.

“There’s an added bonus to this place,” Parker said as he came to where she hesitantly waited.

“Oh?” Cindy stood straighter and hoped she didn’t look as out of place as she felt. The doorman smiled approvingly as he held the door for them and she felt better.

“I called around and several people named this as a very common place to come after the theater,” he said, leading her to the elevator. “I hope you get lucky and your friend brings you here,” he added.

Cindy didn’t know why she was surprised when the maître d‘ greeted Parker by name... well, Mr. Chaney if you could call that his name, she amended the thought. It sounded foreign to her ears even without the man’s fluid-as-expensive-leather accent. Parker entertained a lot for business. She doubted he took them to the hospital cafeteria.

“Why are you smiling that way?” Parker asked as soon as the wine steward had obtained his quiet instructions and left their table.

“My, we are at home here,” she taunted.

“My, we are quick at putting on airs for someone who professes such unworldly innocence.” He quickly softened his own taunt. “That’s what you’re smiling about?”

“I get the feeling there’s a side those of us who’ve known you forever rarely see.”

He lifted one shoulder. “I’ve never really thought about it.”

“You’ve had to learn things to get where you are.”

He picked up the menu as a waiter brought their wine. “You know what I’ve learned?” He didn’t wait for a response. “I’ve learned half the battle is acting like you don’t have to learn a thing.” He winked. “I’d say you’re doing okay.” He indicated the room around them. “For example, this restaurant.”

Her gaze swept the room around them.

“It isn’t really any different than the place we went last night. It’s a restaurant. They bring you a menu and call things some fancy foreign name-usually something du jour-instead of the Tuesday or Friday Special. You order. Then you pay a lot for the food because they bring it on nicer plates and put it on a tablecloth and give you a cloth napkin instead of papeer.”

“And fine crystal,” she said, boldly raising the wineglass to him. She took a sip, self-conscious at the way he smiled at her. She carefully sat the glass down, hoping the way her hand shook wasn’t noticeable. Oh well If it was, Parker would blame nerves. Never mind where they were. Never mind that who she was with was supposed to make her comfortable. She badly wanted to measure up.

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