The Vine Read Free Page A

bad mood or something, or maybe I’ve done something to make him upset with me.
And then I mentally berated myself for turning a situation into being my fault, which is an awful habit that I have.
If Katy were here, she’d kick my arse.
It was really unusual with Lucas, but I was starting to feel quite uncomfortable.
    His behaviour at the moment was not like him at all. This was definitely not the man I had seen making some of the senior accountants physically shake with his normal abrupt, no-nonsense manner. Many a time, I’d seen Lucas storm out of a meeting room before stopping abruptly in front of me, and I’d assumed it was because he puts on so much of a front in the boardroom, but now I know it was because when he saw me, I instantly calmed him. I remembered melting inside a little when he let out that snippet of information, but before I knew all that, here he was with this strange, awkward manner, and I couldn’t for the life of me put my finger on why. Then, at last, I could see he was going to say something. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but then promptly closed it, and then he did the same thing again. I didn’t quite understand the whole fish impression thing he had going on, and I didn’t know what to say or do, so I just didn’t say anything.
    In this awkward situation, I tried to find solace in his gorgeous eyes, and as I did, realisation hit me like a brick—Lucas was nervous about something. I just stared at him, and as he caught my eye, he just stared right back at me, seconds passing feeling like hours. The next time he went to speak, something did come out, and what he said shocked me more than the silence.
    Between the stuttering and mumbling of
ums
and
ahs
, I was able to gather what he was trying to ask me: “Elizabeth, I was just wondering if you would like to come out for dinner with me one evening.”
    Oh, my God
, I thought,
I’ve seen it all now. Lucas Castle has been reduced to a stammering wreck.
    “Well, Lucas, I—” But before I could finish, he was almost retracting his invitation.
    “It’s okay, Elizabeth, I understand. I’m a little older than you, and it might be weird with the whole work thing. It was just an idea.” He was babbling now.
    I had to stop him, firstly, because he was so obviously uncomfortable, and secondly, because he was so damn hot, I definitely wantedto go to dinner with him. “Lucas,” I said, but he carried on bumbling away with clearly unrehearsed dialogue.
Boy, he obviously didn’t get turned down very often. Not that I’m the least bit surprised
, I thought.
I mean, who would turn down this statuesque god in front of me?
    “Lucas,” I repeated a bit louder this time, which seemed to work as he immediately closed his mouth. I looked at him seriously, almost prolonging his pain. “I would love to go to dinner with you.” And at that, his smile appeared. Wow, that smile—it got me every time. Although you would have thought I had told him he had won the lottery, and not just that little old me would have dinner with him. I smiled too, and then I got serious again. “There is just one condition.” Lucas raised his eyebrows in question. “You must call me Lizzy, not Elizabeth.” I smiled at him again, and he immediately returned it.
    “Okay, great, no problem, Lizzy.” I didn’t like it when people called me Elizabeth. Mum and Dad used to call me Elizabeth—only them, always only them. My wistfulness passed as Lucas spoke again, “Is this Saturday okay? And what time shall I pick you up? Would eight be okay?” He rushed out his words, which surprised me. After all, he was only talking about taking me out to dinner; surely with all the stunners he must have had, I was small fry. Realising I still hadn’t answered while my mind drifted, I quickly nodded excitedly, saying, “Sure that would be great.”
    I gave him my address, and at that point, Mr. Sinclair buzzed for me to show Lucas through. “Mr. Castle,” I said