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“I ordered us so so more local”

Brenda came back with a bottle and moved to uncork it, but Luca took it from her hands “Thank you, Brenda, but I can do this”

Mari looked at hi her head as he applied the corkscrew to the bottle He was new, and likely jet-lagged, but he’d remembered Brenda’s name She couldn’t help but be impressed It showed an attention to detail that surprised her, and people didn’t often surprise her

He pulled out the cork with a minimum of fuss and put the bottle down briefly “You haven’t said anything”

“I’et to the business portion of the meal”

She set her lips and looked hi as he kept it about the Cascade they’d have no problems

He chuckled as he poured wine into two glasses “Single-minded I like that It means you’re focused, driven”

“A compliment”

“Perhaps I’id, stubborn and always need to be right”

Mari grabbed her tonic water as her face flamed Of all the nerve!

“I don’t apologize for being organized or efficient”

“Nor should you They’re admirable qualities”

Mari looked out theand away from him She’d never met a man like him She couldn’t quite pin him down and that threw her off balance Nor She put thely

But not Luca There was soer on He was very urban with his carefully messed hair, the way he left his collar open so that Mari was treated to a telilass she spied a ring on his right hand…plain, not ostentatious at all It alold oval was the inized froo It was the only jewelry he wore His entire de more

“Let’s order,” he suggested, his voice drawing her eyes away fro “We’ll talk about the food and brainstorm about what the Cascade will become”

He flipped open his ain