circumstances, sometimes kids also weren’t getting enough to eat at home. There were families in financial need because of job loss in the recent recession. Austin hoped the green engineering process he was working on would create employment opportunities for some of them.
“Is it always this exciting around here?”
Austin knew that voice belonged to the redhead on his mind. There was a wide grin on his face when he turned.
“Rose.”
She lifted a mitten-covered hand. “Hi.”
“It’s usually pretty quiet in here,” he said, glancing at the doorway where the teens disappeared. Their voices drifted in from the back room.
“I know it’s wrong to condone fighting, but—” She smiled. “A brother protecting his sister’s honor.”
“It’s what we do.” He’d stepped in to defend Angie when Haley had brought home a teen in trouble. Although it turned out he’d misinterpreted the situation. But Rose wasn’t talking about him. “This is a pleasant surprise.”
Not his smoothest dialogue. Maybe he should pull out his bad boy alter ego and see if it still worked magic.
“How are you?” she asked.
“Good. You?”
“Fine.” She was bundled up in a puffy jacket, navy cashmere scarf, matching hat and mittens. Black slacks and boots completed her winter look. “How’s Angie?”
“Busy. Between college classes and work, she’s got a lot on her plate.”
“Sounds like it.” She pulled off her jacket and mittens which meant she wasn’t in too big a hurry to leave. “I saw you with her last night.”
“Yeah.” When Rose had walked in, he could hardly keep his eyes off her. “We stopped for a quick burger.”
“The Hitching Post has pretty good ones.”
“Arguably the best in town,” he agreed. “Is there something you wanted? Not that I’m pushing you out the door, but—”
“Right, I’m not the typical demographic for ROOTS.”
“We specialize in rebellion, group therapy for angst-related issues and anger management. It’s a lot about healthy, positive ways to channel hormones.”
She laughed. “What a diplomatic way of saying I’m too old to be here.”
“Not from where I’m standing.”
They were in the middle of the room with no convenient place to hang mistletoe, but he’d never wanted some of that twig more in his life. It would give him an excuse to kiss her. And he badly wanted to which was becoming a chronic problem. Every time he saw her, the urge to take her in his arms was stronger.
With every lamp and overhead light on in the room, he knew the pink that crept into her cheeks was a blush and not from the cold outside. That was good, right? At least it was some reaction to him.
“I just walked over from the mayor’s office to deliver some Christmas cheer in person,” she said.
“You walked?”
“It’s only a couple of blocks and the night is gorgeous and clear.”
“Not too cold?” Austin asked skeptically.
“I bundled up.”
He could see that. While the Eskimo look was cute, he did like her in the black lace dress that was like sex in motion when she walked. “So what’s the news?”
“As you know, I handle public relations and communications for the mayor’s office.”
She seemed a little nervous, and from his perspective, just happened to be the cutest communicator he could imagine.
“The mayor hasn’t decided to revoke the ROOTS permit, has he?”
“No,” she said quickly. “Just the opposite. Sort of. I mean I’m not here with another permit. You don’t need two. But Mayor Clifton and the town council believe this place has proved to be beneficial to the teenagers. There’s been a definite drop in nuisance-related complaints since it opened. He’s allocating funds for tutoring and more computer equipment.”
A sudden burst of laughter from the other room told him the boys had let go of their anger as boys usually did.
Austin grinned. “That’s great. Haley’s on her honeymoon, but I’ll let her know when she gets back. She’ll be really happy to hear about that.”
“The press release is going out tomorrow, so I wanted to stop by for a minute and deliver the good news.”
“I’m glad you did.” And not just because the equipment and scholastic help were so badly needed. “Some kids don’t have a computer at home and they’re not likely to broadcast that by using the ones at the library. It’s an academic disadvantage without access at home. Plus, this place has become the cool place to hang out. Putting a subtle emphasis on study might make schoolwork a little cooler, too.”
“I see what you mean.” She smiled. “This is the best part of my job.”
The kids drifted back into the room and after a curious glance at the newcomer, they resumed stringing lights on the tree.
Austin looked back at Rose. “Actually, by showing up you saved me a phone call.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, I was going to ask you out, but now I can do it in person.”
“A date?”
The distressed expression on her face meant this was not starting out well. “When a guy invites a woman to dinner, by definition it’s called a date.”
“I was afraid of that.”
“Afraid? Why is it a problem? Because I’m not your ideal age?”
“No.” She hesitated. “I mean yes, you’re not. But that’s not the only thing.”
“What else?”
“I’m on a dating diet.”
That was pretty close to the lamest excuse he’d ever heard. He could see the headline now. Former bad boy crashes and burns. Reputation on life support. Irritation chipped away at him and he didn’t want to set a bad example for the kids.
“How about some coffee?”
“No, thanks.”
He took her arm anyway and led her into the back room. This discussion wasn’t for curious teenagers to hear.
Austin folded his arms over his chest and stared down at her. “Now tell me what you really want to say.”
“I just did.”
