Thomas felt his heart leap. She was interested in him as a man! Why else would she make the inquiry? She might look cool and untouched, even faintly haughty, but she was fishing for information about his personal relationships. He lifted one eyebrow and gave her his carefully cultivated smile, the one that always took their breath away. “It’s my favorite restaurant.”
Alexandria didn’t like the suddenly smug look in his eyes, but she smiled anyway. “I brought some sketches with me. Samples of ideas, drawings of the story line you suggested for your next game. I see so clearly in my mind what you’re describing. I know you’ve been using Don Michaels for NightHawks. He’s very good, but I don’t think he captures exactly what you envision. I see so much more detail, so much more power.” Under cover of the table, Alexandria twisted her fingers together but tried to remain outwardly composed.
Thomas was startled. She was absolutely right. Michaels was a big name, with a big ego to match, but he’d never fully understood Thomas’s vision. However, Alexandria’s obvious professionalism irritated him. She looked so cool and untouchable. She wanted to talk business. Women usually threw themselves at him.
Alexandria could see the annoyance gathering on Thomas Ivan’s face. She dug her nails into her palms. What was wrong? Doubtless she was coming on too strong. A man with his rakish, debonair reputation probably preferred a more feminine approach. She needed this job; she certainly couldn’t start right out making him angry. What harm was there in a light flirtation? Ivan was a wealthy, handsome bachelor, exactly the kind of man she should be attracted to. She sighed inwardly. She never seemed honestly attracted to anyone. For a while she’d put it down to the unsavory men in their neighborhood, to her many responsibilities with Joshua. Now she secretly thought she might be truly frigid. But she could fake it if she had to.
Thomas Ivan’s next comment proved her right. “I don’t think we should spoil our dinner with business talk, do you?” he said, flashing a charming smile.
Alexandria blinked away the image of a barracuda and allowed a soft, flirty smile to curve her mouth. It was going to be a long evening. She shook her head when he would have poured her a glass of wine and applied herself to her shrimp salad and the small talk that seemed to make her occasional dates happy. Ivan leaned toward her, frequently touching her hand to make a point.
She managed to escape once to check on Joshua. Under the sinking sun she found Joshua and Henry playing blackjack with a battered deck of cards.
Henry grinned up at her, thankfully took the food she had managed to smuggle out, and waved her off.
“We’re doing fine, Alex. Go get that job you want so much,” he instructed.
“Are you teaching Josh to gamble?” she demanded with a mock-severe frown. Both culprits laughed mischievously, and it was all Alexandria could do not to hug Joshua close. “Henry says I could probably support you with this game, cuz I always win,” Joshua told her proudly. “He says then you wouldn’t ever have to pretty up to a no-good hound dog again.”
Alexandria bit her lip to hide both her amusement and her overwhelming affection. “Well, until you’re a full-fledged card sharp, I’ll see to our support. So I’d better get back inside. If you guys get cold, there’s a blanket in the trunk.” She handed the car keys to Joshua. “Take good care of these. If you lose them, we’ll be sleeping out here with Henry.”
“Cool!” Joshua replied, his blue eyes dancing.
“Very cool. Cold, in fact,” Alexandria warned. “Be careful. I’ll be as quick as I can, but this man is not very cooperative. I think he thinks he’s might score big tonight.” She made a face.
Henry shook a gnarled fist. “He gives you any trouble, you send him my way.”
“Thanks, Henry. You two boys behave while I’m working.” Alexandria turned and began to make her way back toward the restaurant.
The wind was picking up, blowing the sea toward land, spitting foam through the air. Mist was seeping in, shrouding the trees in melancholy white tails. Alexandria shivered, running her hands up and down her arms. It wasn’t really that cold, but the aura of fog and mystery distressed her.