"That's perfectly fine," Julianna answered, offering a slight smile. "I was worried I was going to be late myself, since I took a nap after arriving home and slept too long."

He hadn't shaved, but the scruff suited him in an odd way. It made him look rakish. She wondered what beard rash would feel like. None of that!

"I haven't ordered yet since I didn't want to start without you." Two menus in imitation leather covers had been provided when she sat down, and she picked one up and flipped it open. The prices were a bit high, but she wasn't shy about covering the tab for dinner. She could write it off as a business expense.

"Would you like wine or beer with dinner?"