Taylor laughed, and asked, “You don’t happen to be the executive of a Fortune 500 company, do you?”

Graham shrugged, and then said, “I suppose anything’s possible.”

She sighed. “That’s the only type of guy that Tom would back down from.”

Taylor remembered that Graham had an appointment at 9. She looked at her phone, which said 8:55. “Oh, I hope you’re close to your place. It’s almost 9.”

He pointed down the street to a row of townhouses. “We’re already here.”

She made a quick decision that she’d already burdened this nice man enough tonight. “Well, I really appreciate your company, and your help just now. I think I’ll call a cab from here.”

He was quiet while she ordered an Uber on her phone. “It says it will take two minutes.”

He studied her face for a minute, and then seemed to make a decision. He took a pen and tiny notepad out of his vest pocket, and began writing on it. He handed her a sheet of paper and said, “Well, since you’re here for the weekend, here’s my phone number, and here’s the address of where I’m working tomorrow night. You should come. Just tell the front desk that you’re with me. I’ll give them your name.”

She couldn’t help but smile. “So mysterious. I suppose I could Google this address and figure it out.”

He smiled. “That would ruin the fun, though. Just show up if you have time. And call me if you think of any way that I can help with this Tom guy.”

She nodded.

But it didn’t seem like enough reassurance for Graham. His voice deepened as he reiterated, “Seriously, I don’t like this situation. Even if you come up with a crazy idea, I’m in. OK? I am free all day tomorrow until around 4pm. Just call.”

His deeper serious voice gave her chill bumps. She felt warm when he talked to her this way. For a moment, she considered arguing just to get him to keep his insistent tone.

But she stopped herself from thinking about it. She didn’t want to follow a fleeting attraction. Not again. Doing so had already gotten her into one mess that she was nowhere near getting out of. But this time, I’m pretty sure we don’t work together.

Even though she knew she wouldn’t call, she felt better knowing she had the option. She finally relented, “OK. I promise.”

That smile again. She liked when he smiled. “Alright. See you tomorrow night, then.”

He got up, and she asked, “What do I wear? Tomorrow, I mean?”

He looked her up and down, which made her feel warm again. “That’s perfect. Whatever you’re comfortable in.”

She smiled, and watched as a blue Toyota pulled up with an Uber sticker on the window.

Graham started to walk down the street, and she yelled out, “Thank you!”

He waved at her, smiling, and then kept walking.

~Click Here to see all the chapters in this story (so far)~