Page 11 of Dreaming
Dennis smoothed his thumb over the back of her hand. “I can tell you’re surprised, maybe a little confused.”
“Uh,” she responded softly.
As he exited the freeway and stopped at a light, he turned to look at her. “My life choices haven’t been unusual for a single man. However, two weeks ago, I realized that doesn’t make them right.”
“It’s…I, uh.” She needed to pull her shit together. “I’m sorry. This is incredibly awkward. I’m normally able to put proper sentences together. I find myself off-balance.”
“I understand. Let me try to explain.” Going through the intersection, he told her, “My father invented some of the first silicone bristles they use at car washes. It wasn’t his only patent but it was his biggest.”
“Wow. One of those things you never consider how it came to be. That’s incredible.”
“He worked in a big car wash when we moved to Chicago from the U.S. Virgin Islands. He didn’t like the way the old bristles left scratches on the paint.” Dennis laughed. “He’s always thinking about things like that.”
He turned into the front drive of the most expensive steakhouse in Chicago and stepped out. He slipped a large bill in the valet’s hand and walked around to assist Nia to the sidewalk. Tucking her arm in his, he escorted her inside and smiled at the host.
“Mr. Hancock. Good to see you again. Your table is ready.”
When they were seated, she crossed her legs. His eyes tracked to the skin of her thigh that the position bared.
As wine was placed in front of them, he lifted his glass. “To meeting unexpectedly, rather awkwardly, and salvaging it like champions.”
Smiling, she clinked her glass to his. “Well put.”
“Where was I? Ah. My father created a car wash empire, made millions off his patents, and my mother invested ten percent annually in Apple and Microsoft since the late eighties because she didn’t know which one was going to do better. By the time she died, those investments were worth as much as Dad’s inventions.”
“I’ll admit…I wasn’t expecting this.” She cleared her throat softly, wondering how to phrase her observation delicately. “You aren’t…let’s say typical.”
“May I be honest with you, Nia?” She nodded. “I keep an apartment above my bar. The car I drive when I date is a newer model Nissan. Nice but not flashy. The night Nicki met me, I was washing glasses behind the bar because one of my bar-backs broke his wrist. Jeans, a bar shirt, and sneakers. Does that sound more like your sister’s style?”
Sitting back, she stared at him with her lips slightly parted. “You hide all of…this?” He nodded once and she frowned. “Why are you showing me this side of you? Aren’t you concerned I’ll be a gold digger? Chase you for your money?”
He smiled. “Would you?”
“Absolutely not. There’s nothing a man can give me that I can’t give myself.” Arching her brow, she added, “Until two weeks ago, that applied to every area of my life.”
His laughter was wonderful and sent a tremor of response through her. Black eyes held hers and she knew he could tell she was physically affected.
The server appeared and Dennis asked, “Any allergies or special dietary restrictions, Nia?” She shook her head. “Outstanding.” He placed an order for several dishes and Nia’s eyes widened.
As the young man walked away, Dennis explained, “I want you to try everything and decide what you like best. That way, the next time we come here together, you’ll know.”
The words shook her to her core.
Leaning one elbow on the table, he instructed, “Tell me about you. You clearly know wealth and quality. Everything you wear is simple, classy, and timeless. It’s also expensive.”
“I enjoy nice things.”
Reaching across the table, he stroked his thumb over the gold and ruby ring she wore on her middle finger. “You have an excellent eye. This is gorgeous.”
“Thank you. I picked it up in Turkey when I was there on business.”
Slipping his fingers under her hand, he murmured, “You travel a lot?”
“Several times a year. Otherwise, I work from home.” She added, “I’m a forensic financial analyst. I follow money trails.” She shrugged. “Numbers have always been my thing and computers were a natural addition. The two pieces are the backbone of my job.”
“Who do you work for?” Nia smiled slowly but didn’t answer the question. He gave her a nod. “Understood. Have you ever been married?”
“Unfortunately. It lasted three years. As much as I travel, I was surprised it took him that long to knock up one of his girlfriends.” She shrugged. “It was neither a shock nor particularly heartbreaking when he did.” Lifting her glass, she added, “The humiliation, however, was fairly acute.”