STAY THE NIGHT (The Phillips Family Book 1) Read Free Page B

bar you've been raving about downtown.  See ya' tonight, Cray. ”
        “ Okay, thanks for calling. ”
        He closed his phone and laughed.  His phone rang again and he answered.  Mona said, “ You're not taking her to a sushi place.  You lied to me. ”
        “ Would I lie to you? ”
        “ Yeah, when it suits your purpose.  You're evil and wicked.  I'll see you Monday at work.  Don't do anything I wouldn't do. ”
        “ There's not one thing I can conjure that you won't do. ”
        “ Exactly. ”
        At two minutes before seven that night, Cray exited the elevator on Angelica's floor, strode to her door and raised his knuckles to rap.  Before he could, the door opened and she glided to his arms and said, “ I love punctual men.  How are you?  You smell delicious.  I'll get my coat.  I'm hungry. ”
        He stepped inside her apartment, noted the spacious layout and the attractive Scandinavian furnishings.  She handed him her coat and he helped her on with it.  While he helped her, he said, “ My father insisted we be punctual, I'm fine, thank you, it's Paul Sebastian, I'm happy to help you with your coat and I, too, am hungry. ”
        “ Aren't you the clever one? ” she said, brushing her lips against his.
        If this is the Norwegian version of an ice maiden, bring it on, he thought, wrapping his arm around her waist as they walked in the elevator and descended to the ground floor.  “ I'm glad you're hungry because the place we're going serves wonderful food and in my opinion everything is delicious.  I hope you agree. ”
        She wrapped her arm through his and snuggled against his shoulder.  “ I'm sure I'll love every morsel.  Norway is so cold that the people eat heavy food.  It keeps the body fueled against the freezing weather.  It's the way I grew up and I still can put it away.  I hope I don't embarrass you. ”
        “ You won't.  Most slim women push their food around on the plate and barely eat enough to stay alive.  Your appetite will be refreshing. ”
        “ Is the place we're going romantic? ”
        “ I'll let you be the judge of that, but there is candlelight, soft music and I requested a table in an alcove. ”
        “ I'm going to love it. ”
        Not as much as I love you.  He said, “ I sincerely hope so.  Angel, why didn't you tell me you're a doctor of philosophy? ”
        “ Is that important to you?  Did you look me up on the internet? ”
        “ Second question first.  No, I talked to my younger sister today and told her about meeting you.  She dated an English Lit. professor for a short time last year.  Evidently, you don't escape discussion on campus, so she recognized your name and told me you have your Ph.D.  It's not important to the extent that I see you in a different light, but I am impressed that you have your doctorate at your age.  I have friends and acquaintances who are in their forties and still working toward it. ”
        “ I earned a good income modeling so when I got my undergraduate degree I began my masters and then decided to extend my education further while the money rolled my way.  I'm glad now I did because Columbia accepted me as a full professor. ”
        “ I can't imagine how busy you were. ”
        “ Yes, at times it took its toll.  I had no social life to speak of, trying to juggle the modeling assignments and the doctoral work.  I never went to a shoot without my books.  Modeling is a lot of standing around for a shoot, so I studied while I waited to get in front of the camera. ”
        “ Weren't you exhausted at times? ”
        “ It happened and the camera doesn't lie.  I learned that early on, so the night before a shoot I'd put the books aside and get a full night's sleep. ”
        “ I admire your tenacity. ”
        “ When you want something badly enough, you learn to be tenacious.  It's been worth it.