to finding out about his meeting yesterday. “It seems like most of the friends I’ve made here I met standing in line for auditions.”
“I see. Is she working on Broadway?”
“No. That’s part of the problem.”
“So she works at the hotel?”
“She hasn’t decided for sure about leaving and obviously hasn’t given her notice yet, so I don’t feel comfortable talking about it.” Trying to sound casual, she asked, “How did your meeting with the mysterious playwright go?”
He made a sound of disgust. “It got postponed until tomorrow.”
“Sorry to hear that.”
“That means I’ll need your services for an extra day.”
“I’ll check my appointment book, but that shouldn’t be a problem.” No, the real problem was the excitement that blossomed in her chest. She didn’t understand it. Certainly hadn’t expected the reaction. She’d had plenty of good-looking clients over the past couple of years. Even made the mistake of dating one of them. Which absolutely wouldn’t happen again.
“You ever think about going home?”
“Not really.”
“What is it about New York that you love?”
Nothing readily came to mind. She had to think about it. “The energy. The cultural diversity. The food.”
“Now, what do you miss about Indiana?”
“My family,” she said automatically. “Clean air. Clear blue skies. Corny county fairs. And never having to worry about whether I locked my apartment door or not.” She sighed. “I miss having a car, too. What about you?”
He looked surprised. “Me? I kind of flit around, so the question isn’t as applicable.”
“You said you’ve been living between Los Angeles and Houston.”
“Right,” he said slowly. “Guess home was never what you’d call a Norman Rockwell painting. Mama’s a good woman. Not the cookie-baking type, but she ran a strict household. I still managed to give her a run for her money.”
She liked the fondness in his voice when he talked about her. “Your father?”
“You mean the sperm donor?”
“Oh.”
“Yeah.” He thrust a hand through his hair. “That’s about the only thing I fault my mama for. She never should’ve stayed with the worthless son of a bitch.”
“I’m sorry,” Dana said quietly because she didn’t know what else to say. Still, she regretted saying that. It sounded too much like pity.
Chase muttered a curse, his rudeness taking her aback, but before she could say anything he sprinted ahead.
She stopped and stared, dumfounded, and then watched him scoop up a boy, both of them tumbling onto the grass. A second later, an out-of-control skateboarder plowed past the spot where the boy had been playing with a toy truck.
“Oh, my! Toby!” A woman carrying a baby ran toward them. “Toby.” She dropped to her knees, balancing the baby on one hip while checking the boy’s unnaturally bent arm. “Are you okay, baby?”
“I’m fine, Mom.” Toby made a disgusted face at his mother’s gentle probing. Only about four, already his male ego seemed to be intact. He straightened out his arm and shook out his hand.
The young mother breathed a sigh of relief and sent Chase a grateful look. “What do you say to the nice man, Toby?”
He broke into a big grin. “That was awesome.”
Chase grunted. “Right.”
“Really, thank you.” The mother struggled to her feet, glancing over her shoulder in the direction of the skateboarding teenager who’d barely managed to avoid a tree. “That kid is going to hurt somebody.”
Chase made an attempt to get up, but sat back down again. His hand went to his ribs, and the strain in his face said it all. Dana walked over and offered him her hand. He took it, and she helped pull him to his feet.
“Thanks,” he murmured.
“You really are hurt.”
“It’s nothing.”
“Thanks, mister.” Dusting the seat of his jeans, Toby tilted his head back and grinned at Chase.
“You’re welcome. I hope your truck is okay.”
The boy’s eyes widened. “My truck.” He scampered off in search of his toy, his mother close behind him.
Dana really wanted to ask more about Chase’s injury. He probably shouldn’t be running. “Wow, faster than a speeding bullet.”
His laugh was wry. “Not exactly.”
“I didn’t even see that skateboarder. He came out of no-where. You have great reflexes.” They were close to a gazebo and she steered him in that direction. “You must have played football in school.”
“Me? A jock? I don’t think so.”
She chuckled. “I didn’t mean to insult you.”
“I rode in a few rodeos in my time, but sports…” He scoffed.
“Over here,” she said when he veered toward the path. “Let’s go sit for a while.”
“Why?”
“Because I can tell your side is hurting.”
“Nah, I’m fine.”
She didn’t believe him. He looked pale, but she wasn’t about to argue. “Want to just walk then?”
He led her back onto the path and resumed a brisk pace. “I want you to have dinner with me tonight.”
She looked sharply at him. “I can’t.”
“Won’t or can’t?”
“Both.”
He smiled. “Why not?”
“I don’t date clients.”
“It’s only dinner. I hate eating by myself.”
“It’s really not a good idea.”
“Why?”
Dana took a deep breath. She’d have to be out of her mind to agree, especially now that his stay here was extended. She’d broken her rule once, and the lapse in judgment had ended up breaking her heart. The jerk had turned out to be married. With three kids. Although Bradford was from Chicago, his business brought
