A Taste of Spring novel Chapter 8

SPRING

"I was wondering," Spring said after eating in silence for most of the meal. It was different-the silence-but it wasn't an uncomfortable silence where she felt the need to fill it. When Dez nodded she continued, "Do you step up, playing the boyfriend for damsels in sticky situations often?"

"Not habitually, no." He tilted his head as if thinking. A smile stretched out his full lips, allowing his sparkling teeth and sexy dimples to make an appearance. "I wouldn't look the other way if a woman was being attacked, but usually I try to mind my own business."

"But you didn't tonight." Spring was curious to know why.

He seemed to think about it before he answered. "I suppose there was something about you that made me want to be your...man."

While Spring frowned at the answer, Dez lifted his glass to his lips and drank.

"Do you have one?"

"Have what?"

"A man in your life?" Dez held her gaze, waiting for an answer.

Spring's frown deepened. Why would I go to a stranger's loft, at night, and alone if I had a man? What did he take her for? She pressed her lips together and was about to ask exactly that but held her tongue. His question was probably not meant to offend.

Spring tilted her head and gave her best innocent pout. "Can we continue with the mystery? Keep our info, personal."

Spring watched Dez closely for a reaction as she continued to eat. Would he get suspicious or freaked out? (Will he ask me to leave?) She was going to blow this. Great way to show your sister a bit of gratitude. Getting her fired.

What Dez gave her was little to nothing. His face was a stoic blank slate. He said nothing for a minute or so then he spoke. "Nothing personal tonight," he raised his finger in the air "but what we divulge, we answer honestly and I need to know one thing."

"Alright," Spring agreed but tried to hide the fact that she was in full out panic mode, wondering what he needed to know.

"Are you seeing someone and if you are, is it serious?"

"Me having no one, that's important to you," Spring said with relief. That could have gone a number of ways.