Imogen couldn’t help but smile. Her date had arrivedinstyle.Gold and silver chains hung from his neck, and his white teeth flashed as he caught sight of her.
“You’re parking, sir?” the valet asked.
“Not tonight. I’m here to pick up that gorgeous redhead in the pink dress.” He lifted his chin. “Hey, girl.”
Imogen couldn’t believe this stunning man was here to pickherup. She felt the eyes of everyone at the front of the hotel zero in on her as he walked toward her and leaned in to press a kiss to her cheek.
“You look beautiful. You ready? Our reservation is at seven fifteen.”
“You … you know how to make an entrance.”
He held out his striped navy-blue suit jacket–covered arm. His tattooed wrist and hand sported what looked like a vintage Rolex and several antique-looking gold rings.
“Comes with the territory. Don’t color yourself like a peacock if you can’t handle the attention.”
She couldn’t help but laugh as she took his arm. “I bet. Literally everyone is staring at us.”
“I don’t care if you don’t.”
“I don’t know them.”
“Exactly. Right this way, my lady.”
He led her around the side of the shiny black Lincoln.
As they rounded the long hood, she whistled. “This is pretty sweet.”
“My grandfather’s. He had good taste.”
He opened the door for her, and she gasped at the inside.
“It’s gorgeous.”
The quilted black leather bench seat looked brand-new, and the green-and-red plaid ceiling was purely awesome.
“I had the interior redone. Well, the whole thing. Took a few years. It was worth it. Watch your head.”
She slid into the front seat, and he handed her the seat belt.
“Safety first with you.”
Imogen blushed. She hadn’t expected him to be so thoughtful. Then again, he’d walked them to her car in broad daylight.
“Good?”
“Perfect.”
“Excellent. Time for dinner.”
He closed her door and rounded the front. One kid rushed forward, and Imogen could’ve sworn he signed an autograph for him.
When the valet opened the door for him, he hopped in and slid a bill in the man’s hand in one smooth motion.
“Thanks, man. Have a great night. See you later.”
Once the door was closed with him inside, Imogen blurted, “Did that kid think you were famous? I mean, you certainly look the part.”
He laughed as he buckled in, shifted into Drive, and guided the long black car out into a break in traffic.