Convince Me (Holton Series #1) by B. L. Blair Page A

was fiddling with his tie.  She hid a smile as she
realized that he was nervous too.  It made her feel better.
    “I like your tie,” she said
breaking the silence.
    Steven looked up then and grinned
sheepishly.  Anna could tell he was embarrassed.  “Thanks.”
    “You know, Steve, I have never even
met Victoria.  She wouldn’t know you didn’t wear one of her ties.”
    “I would know,” he said softly.
    Anna stopped filling the vase and
looked at him.  He steadily returned her gaze.  His eyes were gentle
and serious.  Anna wondered if his family knew how much he loved
them.  For the first time since they met, Anna allowed herself to hope for
a future.  Any man who loved as much as Steven did was worth fighting
for.  Even if the person she was fighting was herself.
    Anna quickly finished putting the
flowers in the vase and they left the apartment.  Steven took her arm as
they descended the stairs and led her to the car.  He opened her door and
helped her get in.  Anna knew she was being treated to a gallantry that
was rare in this day and age.  Leaning back in her seat, she decided to
enjoy every minute.
    The drive to Dallas took almost an
hour.  There wasn’t much traffic until they reached the downtown
area.  Anna and Steven talked lightly most of the drive.  They had
discussed Steven’s trip to Seattle and Julie’s dinner party.  They talked
about the Carson’s anniversary party, which was to be held at Steven’s house on
Valentine’s Day.
    “That’s not a problem for you?”
Anna asked.  Most men she knew wouldn’t have wanted a partly like that at
their home.
    “No,” Steven replied.  “All I
have to do is supply the house.  Tori will do the rest.”
    “Valentine’s Day,” Anna said. 
“That is a very romantic day to marry.”
    Steven laughed.  “Actually, my
dad said he proposed at Christmas but Valentine’s was the earliest they could
make the arrangements.  My parents didn’t want to wait for the traditional
June wedding.”
    Anna smiled thinking that it must
be wonderful to love someone that much.  By the time they had reached
their destination, Anna was relaxed and enjoying their evening.
    After parking in a nearby parking
area, Anna reached for her door only to be stopped by Steven.  She turned
to look at him but he simply said, “Please wait.”
    Surprised, Anna sat back in the
seat and waited.  Steven walked around the car and opened her door. 
He then offered her his hand.  Momentarily stunned at such an old fashioned
gesture, Anna just stared at him.  Steven waited patiently with a slight
smile on his face until Anna placed her hand in his.  He then helped her
from the car before shutting the door. Tucking her hand in his arm, they walked
slowly to the building.
    Reunion Tower was a 561-foot
building with an observation deck, revolving restaurant, and lounge all located
in a huge sphere at the top of the building.  They were seated quickly and
efficiently near a window.  As they studied their menus, Anna looked around
the restaurant.  It was not yet crowed. 
    “Do you know what you
want?” Steven asked a few minutes later.
    “Yes.”
    As if by magic, their
waiter appeared and they placed their orders.  Sitting back, Anna looked
out the window and was able to see downtown Dallas.  She turned back to
Steven with a grin.
    He returned her
grin.  “Quite a sight, isn’t it?  The restaurant makes one completed
rotation every hour.”
    “Really?”
    Steven nodded.  “The first
time I remember coming here I was about twelve years old.  It was my
mother’s birthday and Dad thought it would be a nice place to bring her. 
Only he decided to bring us kids too, which was a mistake.  Mitch wanted
to know how the revolving mechanism worked and questioned everyone he could
find to tell him.  I don’t think he ever got a satisfactory answer. 
Victoria found a back way to the observation deck and disappeared for over an
hour.  We had the entire