Dating for Keeps by Hogan Rachel

Author:Hogan, Rachel [Hogan, Rachel]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2013-04-18T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

The sun seemed unusually hot as Tessa walked out of the shop - hotter than she remembered it feeling when she had stepped outside just an hour earlier. The heat seemed to penetrate her whole body. She was more nervous than she could ever remember feeling, and as she walked to the cafe down the street she told herself over and over that she needed to remain calm and cool when she met Lucas. She worked hard to regulate her breathing, although she had no control over her pulse that began racing when she saw him sitting at the table waiting for you.

"Tessa, good to see you," he said rising to greet her. The twinkle in his eye and eagerness on his face made Tessa uneasy. "Please sit down," he said pulling out a chair.

Tessa managed to plaster an innocent smile on her face.

"So, how is work going today?" Lucas asked her.

"Oh, fine. The usual, you know."

"Get any interesting items in today?"

"Um, well we got some vases and a pocket watch, along with a few other odds and ends. Nothing too exciting."

"Ah ha. And what about violins? You haven't forgotten to keep a lookout for me have you?"

"Oh yes, the violin!" Tessa feigned surprise and then tried hard to keep her voice casual.

"Yes, we did get a violin in today. It's a beautiful Stradivarius, one of the finest I've seen. I'm going to set it aside for you, but I can't sell it to you until my aunt comes back from her vacation next week. She needs to do the appraisal before we can sell it."

Tessa thought she detected a wave of disappointment cross his face, but it passed so quickly she wondered if maybe she was imagining things.

"Well, that's ok. I can wait I suppose. Just make sure you keep it for me; I really would like to be the one to buy it."

"Of course," Tessa said. "Like I told you, I've got it all set aside. I'll let you know the moment Aunt Carrie authorizes it for sale."

"Thank you Tessa, it is most appreciated."

They ate their meal in relative silence, but Tessa's mind was racing. If Lucas was the notorious drug lord that Michael said he was, what would he do to her? Fearing for herself, she tried to make the lunch as short as possible.

"You know, I really have a lot of work back at the shop. I think I'm going to get going," she said to Lucas after hurriedly eating her meal.

He gave her a questioning look. "Is everything alright Tessa? You seem a bit distracted."

"Oh yes, I'm fine. Just busy that's all." She gave a cheerful smile. "I'll give you a call this evening when I get out."

"Okay then, talk to you later." He rose and gave her a quick, awkward kiss on the cheek. Tessa left feeling far more uneasy and confused than she had when she got there.

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