A Decent Proposal Read Free Page B

signaled the bartender and asked her to open the best white she had. He toyed with the empty beer bottle in front of him. “I can’t decide if this delivery system of yours is good customer service or you just wanted to drive my car.”
    â€œBoth. And for the record it’s a really nice car,” she said, grinning. Then the amusement faded and she couldn’t quite meet his gaze, which was different from the uniquely direct woman he’d met this morning.
    â€œYou look very chic.”
    She glanced down. “Thanks. Are you surprised?”
    â€œBecause you make your living working on cars?” He thought for a moment and decided to be completely honest. “You’re a beautiful woman, Sydney. I was surprised from the very first moment I saw you this morning.”
    â€œWhat a lovely thing to say. And I appreciate it.” Her smile was a little shy, but also...nervous? “Because there’s something I’d like to ask. A really big favor—”
    â€œYour drinks.” The twentysomething blonde waitress put down a small, square napkin, a wineglass and another beer in front of him. She picked up the empty bottle and said, “Let me know if you need anything else.”
    â€œWill do. Thanks,” Burke said. He held up his beer. “To new friends.”
    Sydney touched her glass to his bottle. “Friends.”
    She was definitely nervous about something. Then her words sank in. Favor. Something to ask. “What’s up?”
    â€œThis is harder than I thought.”
    â€œJust spit it out,” he advised. “That’s usually best.”
    She took a long drink of Chardonnay, then set the glass down and looked him straight in the eye. “Nothing ventured...”
    â€œNow I’m really curious.” His impression of her from their first meeting was of a confident, forthright woman so this hesitation struck him as out of character. “The worst that can happen is I’ll say no.”
    â€œActually that’s not the worst. And saying yes would not be the smartest answer.”
    â€œCome on, Syd.” Shortening her name came easily and naturally, but he didn’t have time to wonder why that was. “Just tell me what’s on your mind.”
    â€œOkay.” She took a deep breath. “I really need you to go out with me on a date.”

Chapter Two
    â€œY ou probably think I’m a gold-digging stalker.”
    â€œWhy would I?” Burke was more curious and intrigued than anything else.
    â€œToday at the garage you said your company owns the property on the hill that’s going to be developed. As in the way people say my company is doing a hostile takeover but I just work for them and do what I’m told. As in a highly placed executive or something. It didn’t cross my mind that you
owned
the company. I had no idea you were in the same league with Camille’s family. The one where billionaires come to play.”
    â€œSurprise.”
    Sitting on the bar stool, she angled her body toward him. “And I hit on you!”
    â€œIt happens.”
    â€œI just bet it does.” There was humor in her dark eyes.
    Usually getting hit on turned him off. Sydney McKnight had the opposite effect. Color him shocked by this unexpected reaction to a small-town girl.
    â€œSeriously, Burke, I wasn’t hitting on you. Not exactly. Not you...you. Any single man who was in the right age group and happened to drive up at that moment would have done just as well.”
    â€œWay to let the air out of my ego balloon.” He took a sip of his beer.
    â€œI’m not being mean. Just honest.”
    â€œI like that about you, the honesty part.” And so many other things. Like the graceful arch of her dark eyebrows. The way her full lips curved up as if she found something secretly amusing. And the intelligence sparkling in her eyes.
    â€œThe thing is, Burke—and I don’t mean this in an