Easy This Time - JH Croix Page 0,5

checking to see what your plan was for lunch. You have a call on line one from Danny Kent,” Lydia said.

Danny happened to be one of the men I was supposed to be joining for lunch. I nodded to Lydia as I began walking across the office with Mari following at my side. “You can let Danny know I’ll give him a call this afternoon, and that I need to cancel for today. Mari and I are having lunch.”

Chapter 3

Mari

I looked across the table at Nash Reynolds and willed my pulse to slow. I told myself my reaction to him was simply because I was so out of whack this morning. I mean, I had woken up to my boyfriend’s abrupt disappearance. It was fair to say I was discombobulated.

I’d scouted out Nash when I pulled up the online calendar I only had access to on my phone because Brett had once logged in on my phone to update it. If I was wondering whether he was trying to cut me out, that was promptly confirmed. A few minutes after I opened it, the app unceremoniously logged me out with a warning that the password had been updated. I was pissed, but those few minutes had given me enough time to find a few trails to follow, starting with the one that led to Nash’s office.

There I sat across from Nash Reynolds in a charming little café with a lovely view of Bourbon Street. I’d come close to turning down his lunch invitation, but the truth was I was so hungry I was almost shaking. Although the breakfast at Inn Boudreaux looked delicious, I hadn’t had much appetite this morning.

Whether it was low blood sugar, or how rattled I was in reaction to Nash, I was ravenous at this point. I took a sip of my water and reached for a sweet potato fry. Nash had ordered them before we even sat down. It was lightly battered and the perfect combination of salty and sweet as I bit into it. I didn’t realize a little moan escaped until Nash arched a brow, one corner of his mouth hitching up.

“Good, aren’t they?” he teased lightly.

I felt my cheeks heat. “Good isn’t enough. Delicious is more fitting.”

“Everything here is excellent.” Nash glanced up when our waiter arrived at our table again.

“Do you two need a few more minutes?” the young man asked politely.

Nash looked over at me, cocking his head to the side.

“What do you recommend?” I asked, glancing at the waiter.

“Today’s special, shrimp with bacon and grits, is a favorite.”

“I’ll vouch for that. It’s my favorite,” Nash replied, the subtle twang to his voice sliding over me like honey.

“I’ll take that then.” I handed over the menu. I’d hardly been able to focus on the menu, not able to absorb much of anything.

When Nash slid his menu to the edge of the table, the waiter immediately picked it up. “I’ll take the same. Would you like some wine with that?” Nash asked, glancing at me.

“Oh, no,” I said, shaking my head quickly. “I’m driving.”

I sensed Nash had many questions, but he didn’t ask them. As the waiter turned away, another man approached our table. He appeared to be a businessman, dressed in slacks and a button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up. He nodded to me before his gaze swung to Nash. “How are you doing, Nash? Any updates on the issues with that project?”

As Nash began to reply, I tuned it out because I didn’t need to listen. Instead, I took a moment to let myself soak in the view of Nash. His hair was dark gold with light streaks as if kissed by the sun. His skin was burnished bronze with his hazel eyes standing out in contrast. His eyes were mesmerizing—a swirl of green, gold, and brown. The depth of color was intense. His features were bold with defined cheekbones, his nose sharp and straight, a strong square jaw, and sensual lips.

There was no doubt he was well built as his shoulders filled out his button-down shirt that was paired with faded black jeans. Although he wore the casual business look well, he had a restrained energy to him. As if he could throw that polished look off in a flash and his raw, potent masculinity would burst forth.

I imagined he had plenty of women chasing after him. I couldn’t say I was particularly familiar with Nash Reynolds, but I knew his name. With my older brother deep