Wherever She Goes (Psychic Seasons, ReGina Welling [novels to improve english TXT] 📗

“Just be yourself. Flirting is mostly a nonverbal way of letting a man know your level of interest. Making eye contact and smiling lets him know he has a shot at not being turned down whether he is asking for a first date or a third or to take things to the next level.”

“How will I know if I’m going too far? You know, what’s the difference between I like your smile and take me here on the table?”

“Sadly the only way to learn is by experience.”

“It’s true,” Gustavia agreed, “trial by fire and speaking of, I gave your number to a guy I met at my dentist’s office. Just my way of adding a little kindling.”

Chapter 9

Dufus. Do people still say dufus? Doesn’t matter. It’s the best word to describe Kevin. Only a dufus would take a woman out to dinner and bring his parents on a first date. Kat’s mind had been running on this track all during appetizers.

Then, when she learned his mother was a psychologist who was inordinately interested in everything to do with how Kat had come to be blind and how she had managed to restore her vision, she decided Gustavia’s matchmaking days were over.

“And your parents? How do they feel about what has happened to you?” Kevin’s father had not said a word yet but his mother just would not stop asking personal questions.

“They’re thrilled. If you don’t mind, I need a moment.”

Excusing herself, Kat grabbed her purse and hurried toward the restroom. After pulling out her phone, she was walking and typing a 911 text to order Gustavia to ride to the rescue when she rounded the corner toward the restroom and rammed full force into someone coming the other way. Inattentive woman meets immovable object. Kat bounced back a step from the impact.

Trying to get her breath back, she opened her mouth to apologize, “I’m sorry, I wasn’t watching where I was….” And looking up, found herself staring into a pair of familiar brown eyes.

“Zack. I didn’t expect to run into you here—literally.” Kat smiled hoping that he would be a gentleman and give her a ride home.

“Kevin Hale huh? I wouldn’t have pegged him for being your type.” The chill in his voice surprised Kat; she frowned.

“I have a type?” Did two dates in a lifetime translate into someone having a type? She didn’t think so. “What’s wrong with Kevin?” And how did I end up in a position to defend the man when all I really want to do is get away from him and his mother? That last she refrained from saying out loud.

“He’s an accountant, very down to earth.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Maybe she wouldn’t ask for that ride home after all. What had gotten into him? He was not acting like himself.

He ignored the question. “His father has the personality of wet dishrag and his mother is a psychologist who volunteers with a troubled youth program in the city.”

“I’m aware of that since he brought them both on our date and she’s spent twenty minutes grilling me about how I feel now that I can see again.” She couldn’t keep the exasperation from slipping into her voice. “I had no idea I’d been the topic of so much gossip.”

“Wow, how long have you been seeing him?” Why hadn’t he heard about this? Meeting the parents, that’s a big step.

“It’s our first date.” The flood of irrational annoyance drained out of him leaving amusement in its place.

“Who brings their parents on a first date?”

“I’ve been asking myself that very same question. I was just texting your sister to see if she could help me pull a Houdini. I don’t think I can face going back to that table but I don’t want to be rude.”

He took pity on her. “Go back, give me two minutes and I’ll come to your rescue, whatever I say, just go with it.” He’d have to miss dinner with his own parents but that was a common enough occurrence given the unpredictability of his line of work. A quick stop at their table to say hello and then he could save Kat from her woeful dilemma.

As Zack approached her table, he knew the moment she sensed his approach. Trained to observe, he noted the subtle change in her posture, the slight turn of her head that let her eyes slide toward him, then the way she relaxed in relief.

With a wicked glint in his eye, he decided to make a show of it. No way would Kevin be getting a second date. Zack cast a fulminating look at the man, ignoring how justified it felt, and stepped up beside Kat who looked up at him in feigned surprise.

“What are you doing here with him?” Zack all but growled the words then turned his head to slip Kat a wink on the sly.

“What do you care? You didn’t call me for a week so I thought it was over.” She shrugged and struggled to keep from smiling.

“If I decide it’s over, believe me, you’ll know.”

Kat pasted a disgusted look on her face, “Welcome to the new millennium, where women are allowed to have opinions.” She stood up and faced him, toe-to-toe. “What? You thought I was going to sit at home and wait for you to swoop in whenever you felt like it? Sorry, not happening. Now if you don’t mind…” Kat tossed her head to indicate he should leave. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Kevin and his parents squirming in their seats.

“Oh baby, you know it wasn’t like that. I got busy at work and time just slipped away. You know you’re my pookie-bear. Come on. Come with me, now. Please?”

There were going to be sore places tomorrow where she had to bite her cheek to keep from giggling.

“Ok, snuggly-ugums.” She turned to Kevin, “I’m sorry. You don’t mind do you?” Before he even had time to answer, Kat grabbed her purse and linking her