[ Pobierz caÅ‚ość w formacie PDF ] 83 Cynthianna frightened prey through the thick, dark vegetation, salivating at the mere thought of pouncing upon its dinner and devouring it whole. Keith leaned over the counter top and turned on the charm. “Zack’s dumping an empty carton out back. Is there anything I can do for such a fine- looking lady on this fine Friday afternoon?” Sharlene laughed at Keith’s playfulness. “You’re certainly in a good mood. Things going well for the little online enterprise you told me about the other day?” “Sh!” Keith hushed her with a slashing motion to his throat. “Remember, the boss-man could be listening. He don’t know about my latest attempt at becoming the richest man in the world—” “You attempting to swindle some fools out of their hard earned cash again, Marshall?” Zack bounded into the store proper, a winsome grin on his full, soft lips. Dressed in tan cords and a rumpled brown and yellow plaid shirt that brought out the soft gold highlights in his hair, he couldn’t have looked any more handsome than a movie star on Oscar night, Sharlene thought. “If the FBI ever comes knocking around here, you better believe it’s your butt that’s going to fry and not mine,” Zack joked. “Hmm, maybe your little friend Roxie will be partnering with Fox Mulder by then and get you out of jail.” Sharlene smiled at their friendly game of one- upmanship. “Roxie?” Her gaze focused on the younger man’s reddening cheeks. “Why, you didn’t 84 Scrambled Eggs tell me about this FBI agent named Roxie the other day, Keith. Is she someone special?” “You could say that.” He quickly checked his watch. “Five o’clock. Time for me to get ready for my big night out. Feel free to call me ‘Foxy Mulder’ from now on.” “In your dreams,” Zack chuckled. “Be careful now, remember?” Keith spun around and headed for the back stairs. “I will. Trust me. You taught me how to be a good boy, remember?” “Me, Mom, Dad and Sister Mary Agnes at least tried,” Zack said under his breath. “Good luck on the date,” Sharlene added. He saluted them good-bye. “Thanks. Later.” The jovial atmosphere abruptly dissipated as Keith left the shop. Sharlene turned to find Zack straightening several of the counter displays with his back to her as if he didn’t realize she was still in the room. “Zack?” “Sorry. I’m bit preoccupied.” He stopped fidgeting with the computer bug key chains next to the till as she approached. “Is there something you needed?” Needed? It was more like wanted. Sharlene gulped hard and licked her suddenly dry lips. “Uh, yes. I was wondering if you would like to have dinner with me tonight.” “Dinner? Tonight?” Zack looked as if the words were stuck in his throat and choking him. She rushed in to rescue him.“Strictly for medicinal 85 Cynthianna purposes. Honest.” His expression remained an utter blank. “Medicinal purposes?” Sharlene bit a nail, then launched headlong into her convoluted explanation. “Well, it’s like this. Liza, my friend, you know her, right? She’s also my doctor and she’s worried that I am putting on too much weight. She wants me to slow down and eat less, but when I’m alone I don’t slow down or eat less, and about the only time I do slow down and eat less is when I’m sharing my dinner with company—so I thought I’d ask you.” He acted a bit dazed by her breathless rationale. “Ask me what?” “Would you like to be my dinner companion tonight?” she enunciated carefully. “For dinner. My place. Seven o’clock?” “I’d love to.” A definite smile was developing at the corners of his mouth, his luscious, kissable mouth Sharlene couldn’t help but notice. “So what are we having?” Having? What about me? She bit the inside of her lip. “You mean to eat?” “Yeah.” Sharlene drew in a long breath and blew it out slowly. She hadn’t gotten that far in her plans. It had taken her an hour walking around and around the park just to summon the courage to ask Zack to her table. She’d forgotten to come up with a menu! “How about lasagna and salad?” she suggested, praying that she hadn’t eaten up all the mozzarella 86 Scrambled Eggs and lettuce in the refrigerator or else it was a quick trip over to the overpriced eclectic grocery on the corner. He grinned. “My favorite.” “Mine too.” Mission accomplished! Sharlene gritted her teeth to keep from yelling. The whole invitation thing had been easier than she thought it would be. She started toward the elevator. “I’ll see you at seven?” she asked. “Seven sounds great.” He nodded. “Dress is casual?” [ Pobierz caÅ‚ość w formacie PDF ] zanotowane.pl doc.pisz.pl pdf.pisz.pl blacksoulman.xlx.pl