You're All I Need. Karen White-Owens

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      “We do some very flavorful wines and beers. Traffic Jam operates a bakery on site. After your meal, take a moment to check out some of the goodies we sell in the lobby.”

      “We will,” Chris promised.

      “Would you like to try one of our house wines?” asked Sunshine.

      “Yes.” He looked directly at Tia and held her gaze. The intensity of his look flustered her. “I already know exactly what I want.”

      Her heart skipped a beat. There goes that flirting note in Chris’s voice again.

      “I’d like the pinot noir.”

      “Excellent choice, sir.” Sunshine turned to Tia. “And for you, ma’am?”

      “Lemonade.”

      Sunshine scribbled their orders in a small spiral notebook. “I’ll get your beverages while you review our menu.”

      After Sunshine left, Chris said, “Tell me about yourself, Miss Tia Edwards.”

      She shrugged, hiding her surprise. Questions about her were the last thing she expected from him. “I’m an employee of Gautier.”

      “That I already know.” He crossed his arms, placed them on the table, and focused his pale blue eyes on her.

      Her heart thumped erratically in her chest. She found herself fidgeting nervously with her beverage napkin.

      “But there’s more to you than work. What about your family? Are you married? Do you have children?”

      “Goodness no! I’m single. No kids.”

      “Boyfriend?”

      A twinge of apprehension slithered down her spine, but she answered the question anyway. This was none of his business. “Yes. Darnell.”

      “Lucky man.” Chris’s eyebrows rose suggestively. “Really. Does he work for Gautier?”

      Tia shifted uncomfortably. These personal questions were unexpected and made her feel awkward. “No. He’s an insurance agent for Buckhouser Life.”

      “Sounds like fun.”

      Tia shrugged. “I don’t know. Darnell seems to enjoy it.”

      “Interesting.”

      She decided to turn the tables and ask a few questions of her own. “What about you? You came from France. Moving to Michigan had to be a major life change. Do you have a wife, children, or a special someone who’s waiting for you to come home?”

      He shook his head. “No wife. My friend and I split before I left home. She didn’t like the traveling part of this job.”

      “I’m sorry.” Instantly, Tia’s heart went into sympathy mode. Without thinking, she reached across the table and squeezed his hand reassuringly. A muscle leaped to life under her fingertips as he held on to her hand for a second longer than necessary.

      “Some things are meant to end. Patrice and I were one of them.”

      “Do you have children?”

      “No. Not yet. But I want a big family. I believe it’s my turn. Are you from the Detroit area?”

      Tia nodded. “Yes. Born and raised here.”

      “What about your family?” Chris asked.

      Sunshine returned with their drinks, placed the glasses in front of them, and then took their food orders. He added a small basket of bread before making a quiet retreat.

      “I come from a medium-sized family.” Tia took a sip from her glass. The lemonade tasted tart and sugary, just the way she liked it. “I have three brothers and one sister. My twin.”

      “Twins! That means there’s another one out there just like you?”

      “No, nothing like me, except for our looks. Nia’s very different.” Tia laughed softly, getting a mental image of her twin with her soft bob and tight, colorful clothes.

      Chris took a sip, rolled the wine over his tongue, and then swallowed. “I have a large family also. Big Catholic tribe. There are nine of us. I have five sisters and three brothers.”

      Tia blew out a puff of air. “Wow! I thought we were a large group.” She tore off a piece of bread and buttered it. “Where are you from? Adam didn’t say much about you. Do you live in Paris?”

      He took another sip from his glass. “I know you probably won’t believe this, but there are other cities in France.”

      “I know,” Tia admitted bashfully. “But Paris is the one that comes to mind first.”

      “Shame on you.” He strummed his finger at her. “Not enough geography while you were in school.”

      She laughed. Chris joined in. The rich, warm sound filled the room.

      “I grew up in the city of Nantes. It’s on the west side of France,” Chris explained.

      Leaning more comfortably against the vinyl seat, Tia asked, “How did you end up at Gautier?”

      “Reynolds recruited me during my final year at the university.”

      “Adam said the same thing. Reynolds is a very clever man.”

      “Yes, he is.” Chris broke off a piece of bread and chewed on it. “Reynolds is a major benefactor for the university.”

      “Did he go there?”

      “Yes. But he’s more than a pretty face with a checkbook. He spends time on campus and conducts entrepreneurial workshops for students and faculty.”

      “Very nice. I didn’t know that.” Definitely more than a pretty face, Tia thought.

      “Reynolds doesn’t brag. He likes things to be quiet.” Chris smiled.

      It captivated Tia. She found herself in a momentary daze.

      “What?” he questioned. “Is there something between my teeth?”

      Tia snapped out of her trance and decided to admit the truth. “Sorry. You have such a beautiful smile. I couldn’t help admiring it.”

      “Thank you. So do you.”

      His compliment filled her with pleasure. Tia sat watching this interesting and very different man.

      “Tell me, how do you know about this place?” Chris waved a hand around the room.

      “I’m a Wayne State graduate. My study group came here for meals sometimes.”

      “We’re going to see this campus after lunch, correct?”

      “Sure.”

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