Royal Opposites Read Free Page A

To her astonishment, he held on tight. “Well, Molly, I most humbly apologize for any sleepless nights I may have caused you.”
    The woman snorted. “I didn’t say all that, Tom.”
    Joan didn’t know why, but it surprised her to hear him laugh at the waitress’ reaction. He didn’t appear to be annoyed at all.
    “Are ya’ll ready to order?” She swept a lock of black hair from her forehead with her left hand. That was when Joan got a glimpse of the diamond ring on her finger. Hmm. Maybe Tom’s lethal smile didn’t work on all women. The moment she recalled the name Molly had called him, Joan realized they’d never even introduced themselves. Yet, here they were holding hands like a couple of lovebirds.
    Joan noticed with a start they were both looking at her.
    Molly had her pen poised over a pad ready for her order. Tom watched her with an expectant look in his eyes. They must think she planned to stay for dinner. While she’d been waiting for him, she checked out the prices to factor into her budget next month.
    This month, however, she didn’t have a spare dime because she’d allocated every penny to the final payment and now she was also on the verge of some serious late fees from the stupid loan she’d taken. No, she was going to get Tom’s e-‐-mail and get herself home.
    “I think we need another moment or two, Molly. Thanks.”
    The waitress nodded and headed off to check on other customers while Tom turned his attention back to Joan.
    She needed to conclude their business and be on her way. So she said, “I’m Joan.”
    Tom frowned at the non sequitur so she continued, “Molly used your name and I realized we never introduced ourselves so I’m…” “…Joan,” he finished for her. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Joan. I do hope you’re not thinking of running out and leaving me here to dine alone. Molly will never let me live it down.”
    “In all honesty, I was just hoping to run into you to give you the video I shot and then be on my way. If you give me your e-‐-mail address I’ll send it to you tonight.” She pulled out of his grasp and gestured with the camera case. “I think you have a pretty good claim to file against the bank. This footage will help.”
    “How did you know to find me here?” he asked. His eyes took on an intensity she had yet to see from him in their brief acquaintance.

    “It’s like this. I’ve kinda seen you around. Here, in fact. So I took a chance…” She trailed off with a shrug.
    “That’s it? What if I didn’t show?”
    “I’d have seen you sooner or later. I would’ve asked for your e-‐-mail then.”
    Tom stared at her for a long moment. At last, his serious expression gave way to that lethal smile of his. She must have passed whatever test he’d given her. She made no excuses, she knew she’d gone through one with a certainty she rarely felt.
    “You’ve gone through so much trouble for me. The least I can do is treat you to dinner.”
    She shook her head. “You need to conserve your funds. I have a feeling this little incident is going to get worse long before it gets better. You’ll need something to get you through.”
    He tilted his head while he studied her. Without taking his eyes off her, he signaled Molly. “I have other accounts.” Molly arrived with a pen at the ready. “We’ll start with the Bruschetta and Caesar salad. For the main course, we’d like a sampling of the jerk chicken, wild salmon enchiladas and turkey meatloaf to share.
    We’ll top it off with the apple crisp and vanilla ice cream.”
    Molly gave them a big grin. “You got it.”
    Joan stared at him with one raised eyebrow. “You’re not at all worried about your bank problem are you?”
    “Not at all. It’ll get worked out. To my benefit, in fact.”
    Joan chewed on the straw in her tea. “I so hope those aren’t famous last words.”

Chapter Three
    Tom leaned back on the bench and rested his arm along the top of the booth. He couldn’t