Isabella now understood why Gabby found Alex’s company so enjoyable and
if she wasn’t careful she would too. There was something a little too
appealing about him.
“It’s all a game, Izzy.” Alex leaned forward and lowered
his voice. “Are you sure you don’t want to play?”
“Very sure,” she said in a crisp tone, annoyed by her traitorous
emotions.
“You’re missing a lot of fun.”
“I doubt it.”
He leaned back. “Well, you wouldn’t know since you’re standing
on the sidelines. You’re really good at that.”
“It gives me a great view of the whole situation.”
“True. Sitting on the sidelines has some benefits. You get to see the
whole game and you don’t lose anything.” He wagged a forefinger. “But
there’s one draw back. You don’t win anything either.”
“The
most dangerous games are the ones of the heart.”
“I don’t play with hearts.”
“But you play with people.”
“No,” he said with deliberate patience. “I don’t play
with them either. I only play the games people want me to play.”
“What I’ve noticed is that people tend not to play the same games.”
The waitress came back with Alex’s order—a plate full of spinach
stuffed mushrooms sprinkled with cheese and a large order of lemonade. Isabella
glanced around wondering if it was a good time to leave.
“Yes,” Alex said. “They’re all looking at us, but don’t
worry about it.”
She turned to him. “I’m not worried.”
“Then why do you look like you’re ready to run?”
“Leave. Not run.”
He couldn’t help a grin. “You looked ready to run to me.”
“I just thought you might want to eat alone.”
“If I wanted to eat alone, I would have sat at a table by myself.”
“You’re only sitting here because you want me to stop asking questions
about you.”
“That, and I’d also like the company.”
With me? Isabella wanted to laugh, as she sneaked another glance at
the other young women in the restaurant. She returned her gaze to his lowered
head as he cut a mushroom in half, waiting for the rest of the joke.
He suddenly looked up and their eyes met. Yes, his eyes could be dangerous.
There was just too much intelligence there and something else that made her skin
tingle.
