Up to No Good by Tricia O’Malley

Author:Tricia O’Malley [O’Malley, Tricia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

“Ladies, don’t you all look lovely this evening?”

Lola almost rolled her eyes when she heard Gage’s voice at their table. Deciding on restraint, she smiled up at him.

“Thank you, we most certainly do,” Jolie purred.

“It isn’t often that I see you out on the town. What’s the occasion?” Gage asked, and Lola tried to ignore the tug of attraction she felt for him. He looked particularly good this evening in a white linen shirt, the sleeves rolled up his tanned forearms, and pressed green pants. She missed seeing the necklace at his throat, but it reminded her of where she’d last seen it.

“Lola’s moving to Siren Island. She’s going to open an art gallery here,” Mirra said.

Gage’s eyebrows rose in surprise before happiness washed over his face. “Is that true? That’s fantastic news. Congratulations!” He bent to brush a kiss over her cheek and Lola flushed, his nearness doing things to her she didn’t want to think about.

She smiled. “Thank you. I’m looking forward to tackling this new project.”

“May I buy you all a round of drinks? To celebrate?”

“Sure…” Jolie said, then caught Irma’s look.

“Actually, we’re on our way out. But you can buy one for Lola,” Irma said smoothly, standing from the table. The girls followed suit. “Thank you for a lovely dinner, Lola. And welcome to the island.”

“Wait… but…” Lola stammered, but the ladies were already across the restaurant, Irma having neatly maneuvered Lola into having a drink with Gage.

“Looks like you’re all mine,” Gage laughed, winking at her and gesturing to a chair. “May I?”

Beaten, Lola could only nod.

Gage signaled for the waiter and settled in, running his gaze over Lola.

“Miss Maureen’s work?”

“It is.”

“You take my breath away,” Gage said, heat in his eyes. For a moment Lola lost hers as well before she pulled herself back.

“Thank you. Does your date mind that you’re over here flirting with me?” Lola asked, hating to sound bitchy… but thinking she likely sounded bitchy.

Gage’s grin widened.

“Is that jealousy I’m sensing?”

“No,” Lola sniffed, as the waiter stopped at their table. Gage looked at her. “Dark & Stormy, please.”

“I’ll take the same.”

“She’s a colleague,” Gage said, reading Lola easily.

“That’s quite a dress for a work meeting,” Lola said, and immediately felt annoyed with herself. She sounded like a nagging girlfriend. “Listen, your business is your own. Who you date or don’t date is up to you. Did it bother me a little to see you with another woman? Yes, I’ll admit it because I like to think I can be honest with myself and others about my feelings.”

“Tell me more about these feelings; I’m dying to know,” Gage said, leaning forward with a smile on his lips.

“Oh, don’t pull that whole charming thing you do on me.” Lola pointed a finger at him and glared.

“I’m not pulling anything. I swear this is just me. But I really would like to know what feelings you have. And if they match mine,” Gage said, dangling that little tidbit in front of her while the waiter dropped their drinks off.

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