"Also for the record, the responsibility for that collision was at least fifty-fifty, so that makes us even. I was on my way to pitch my bid to Brian and his associates. No time to go home and change, no clean shirt at the office. Fortunately, they didn't hold my appearance against me."
Just then the waiter approached. "My name is Tom. I will be your server tonight. Would you like a coffee to start?"
Russ caught her eye, and suddenly they both burst into laughter, startling the waiter.
"Truce?" He smiled at her.
"Truce," she said, and smiled back.
She immediately felt the tension she'd been holding in her shoulders drain away. She had behaved like a brat at her sister's house, and she had to admit, the coffee spill was as much her fault as his. Now that they were no longer antagonists, she was able to really look at him as a man, and she was quite intrigued by what she saw. His hair was medium brown, with an-almost military cut. Blue eyes, strong chin with a slight cleft, and when he smiled, a dimple popped out on the left side of his face, giving her an immediate image of the adorable little boy he must have been.
She had almost finished her inventory of his features while he was adding cream to his coffee, when he suddenly looked up and caught her studying him.
"Like what you see?" He was grinning at her.
"Nah. Hair is too short, there's only one dimple, and that chin has aggression and determination written all over it."
"That's it? That's the best you can do?"
"On short notice, yeah. But I can probably come up with some more, given time."
"Time I can give you. Susan said you work as an insurance broker. I could use some help. I've designed a house for myself and construction is beginning in two weeks. I need a builder's risk policy in place before then. Can you help me out?"
"I can, but the question is, will I?"
"I thought we called a truce."
"Just kidding. I can get some quotes for you if you give me the details. Call and make an appointment for any day next week. Are you building the house yourself?"
"No. I haven't the time, or the expertise. I've hired a contractor to do the work."
The waiter came by and topped up their coffees, asking if they were ready to order. They suddenly realized they had been talking non-stop since they declared the truce, so picked up the menus and studied them. With their orders placed, both having chosen the special - salmon steak with lemon/dill sauce, small oven-roasted potatoes, and mixed vegetables, they immediately picked up where they had left off.