so long. But Gideon had just made a quick bang or three infinitely more complicated.
“That’s a tall order,” I whispered.
“Very,” he agreed as the waitress came to the table.
I watched as she practically fell over herself when her eyes landed on Gideon. I could have been buck naked and she wouldn’t have noticed. The man was that pretty.
“What will you have, Daisy?” Gideon asked, ignoring the salivating woman taking our order.
“A side salad,” I replied.
“Umm… no,” Gideon replied with a chuckle. “The pork chop is wonderful here.”
“I don’t do pigs,” I told him and then blushed furiously. “That came out a little wrong. I meant I don’t eat pork. I like piglets… they’re cute.”
“Got it,” he said, grinning. “Steak?”
“Not really,” I said, feeling like an idiot. “I mean, I’m not vegetarian or vegan, but…”
“May I order for you?” he asked.
Was there much he didn’t do right? He was such a force of nature I couldn’t believe he asked permission.
“Yes,” I told him. “That would save me from looking at the prices.”
“Fish okay?”
“Yep. I haven’t formed an attachment to sea creatures yet,” I replied.
“Excellent,” he said, eyeing the menu with amusement. “We’ll start with the sea scallops. Two caprese salads, and then we’ll both have the Coho salmon. Also, a bottle of your best pinot noir. Good?”
“Great,” I said, thinking this dinner would cost me an entire paycheck.
Did Gideon have credit cards? Bank accounts? A driver’s license?
How exactly did the Grim Reaper get paid… or did he get paid?
Was Gideon really even a lawyer?
My questions were endless and mind-boggling.
“I’ll be right back with your wine,” the waitress—who couldn’t have been more than twenty-five—said breathlessly.
“Thank you,” Gideon said, dismissing her.
She looked disappointed, but who wouldn’t?
“Are you really a lawyer?” I asked.
“Yes. I’m a lot of things,” he said cryptically. “I’ve had some time on my hands. Getting degrees has been a hobby over the years.”
“That’s kind of cool,” I said with a grin. “What else are you?”
“Seriously?”
“Completely. Are you a doctor?” I inquired.
“Yes.”
“A politician?”
“No. Never had the desire.”
“Don’t blame you,” I said with a shudder. “What else?”
Gideon smiled and sighed. “I’d much rather talk about you, but since you’re so interested… social worker, human rights activist, professor of philosophy, firefighter, sculptor, and the list goes on and on and on.”
“Favorite job?” His choice of career paths was interesting. For someone who dealt with the darkness, he certainly took jobs that helped people.
“Dog trainer,” he replied.
“Get out of town,” I said with a giggle. “For real?”
“Absolutely.”
My laugh drew attention, but I barely noticed. This was the best date I’d ever been on.
“Do you like your real job?” I asked.
“Do you?” he countered.
I wasn’t sure what he was asking. Being a paralegal? Being a Death Counselor?
“Paralegal? No. The other one? Yes,” I told him. “You?”
“Lawyer? Occasionally,” he said. “The other one? Again, occasionally.”
It was a little bit disconcerting to hear he enjoyed sending souls into the darkness, but people usually made their own beds during life. It had to be hard to do what he was destined for. Having his calling would tear me apart. I was curious what kind of life lived would call for the Grim Reaper and the Angel of Mercy to get involved.
And the Angel of Mercy… I hoped he wasn’t as pretty as Gideon. This town couldn’t handle two male models walking around in broad daylight.
While I was curious about the Angel of Mercy, I’d leave those questions for another time. Tonight was about getting to know the fascinating man sitting across from me.
The dinner was delicious and the wine was incredible. I stuck to one glass. Keeping my wits about me was imperative with Gideon.
“So,” Gideon said, leaning back in his chair and tossing his napkin on the table. “Did you have fun this evening?”
I smiled and narrowed my eyes at him. “Yes, I did. You are quite the charming dinner partner.”
His grin widened and my heart skipped a few beats.
“Excellent,” he announced, raising his glass to me. “This is just the beginning.”
I realized I was fine with that. However, I had a few rules.
“No sex,” I said. And then quickly added, “Not yet. I’m not ready for that.”
Gideon nodded and didn’t seem upset in the least. “I agree with you.”
“You do?” I asked, surprised.
He laughed. “I do—not the best scenario, but I promise I agree.”
I was in so much trouble here. “But… umm… making out would be… you know, fine,” I finished on a mortified whisper.
“Have you ever made out in a car?” he inquired with a