Perfect Fit - Brenda Jackson [48]
Deciding to accept his apology, Sage allowed the corners of her mouth to lift into a smile. “The wrong side of the bed, uh?”
Sage’s smile actually made Gabe feel better, less the heel. A slow, reciprocating smile curved his lips. “Yes, the wrong side of the bed. Can you imagine such a thing?”
Sage grinned, remembering her mood swings a few months ago when any male had tried getting too close. She had been quick to lash out at them with her tongue, which had been so unlike her. “Yes, I can imagine it since I’ve awakened on that same side a few times myself.” After a brief few moments, she said, “And I accept your apology.”
Gabe’s tensed body relaxed with her acceptance of his apology. “Thanks, I appreciate it. And while I’m here, I’d like to take a look at your proposal to see just how much work might have to go into it. I’ll also need to make arrangements for you to speak with Parnell after the architect has revised his plans.”
Sage relaxed, glad he was willing to work with her. “All right.”
“Were you about to leave?” Gabe asked, noticing the blinds had been pulled down, and her coat and purse were placed across her desk.
“Yes, but that’s okay. I’m eager to show you what I have. There’s nothing waiting at home for me but a can of soup and a sandwich anyway.”
Gabe chuckled. “Sounds like you have more waiting at home for you than I do for me. Trust me when I say that my cupboards are bare.” He paused and leaned against the wall. “After we finish up here, how about having dinner with me?”
He held her stare, and Sage felt a torrent of warm sensations seeping through her limbs. To associate with him other than for business was not a good idea. She knew it, but a part of her felt some sort of pull toward him, and it didn’t help matters that an irresistible smile creased the corners of his mouth.
“Dinner?” she asked, to make sure she’d heard him correctly.
“Yes, that thing we’ll probably get deprived of if we go home, since our options don’t seem too bright.” His smile widened. “Besides, today should be one to celebrate.”
Sage lifted a brow. “Celebrate what?”
“No snow.”
Sage couldn’t help but laugh, and then against her better judgment, she said, “All right, you’ve convinced me that there’s a reason to celebrate. I’d love to have dinner with you after we finish up here.”
Gabe thought of the last time that she had laughed with him, nearly a month ago over a business dinner. He had liked the sound then, and he liked it now. He felt a ripple of uneasiness at the thought. “Good, then let’s begin.”
Sage’s stomach twisted, and she nervously twined her fingers together. She swallowed tightly when Gabe met her gaze across the table and decided that she couldn’t take it anymore. He’d said he would give her his opinion of everything over dinner.
“Well, what did you think?” she asked anxiously, unable to hold back any longer. Not only had she given him her thoughts on the theater, but she’d also given him a rundown of her other ideas.
Gabe leaned back in his chair, smiling. “The theater will be the most costly, but depending on how the architect redesigns the interior, it’s workable, and like I said earlier, I see a great benefit to what you have in mind. My only concern is the extra time needed to complete the job, and we won’t know that until the architect draws up revised plans.”
Sage nodded, was silent for a moment, then said softly, “About what you said today at lunch, about me deliberately prolonging time to stay here in Anchorage.”
Gabe’s breath snagged as he remembered what he’d said, what he had accused her of. “I was out of line,” he said, regretting the words he had spoken earlier that day to her. Even if he had thought she had an ulterior motive for wanting to include the theater at this late date, he had no right to tell her that. “I had no right to say what I did,” he added.
“Yes, but evidently you felt there was credence in what you thought or you would not have said it. What makes you think that I’m here pining away for my fiancé?”
As much