Maggie knew it was bad form to stutter at an invitation to dinner, but she couldn’t have been more surprised if the man had dropped to one knee and busted out a ten-carat diamond ring. “You don’t have to answer right now,” Pete said. He seemed to sense that he’d stunned her. “It’s casual, just as friends.” He looked so nervous that Maggie felt bad for him, especially given that he had no idea Sam was in the back room undoubtedly hearing all of this. Maggie knew she couldn’t humiliate Pete by saying no, even if he didn’t know they had an audience. She felt she had no choice but to say, “Sure, I’d like that.” His brown eyes were clouded with doubt. “Really,” she added. “You just caught me by surprise, that’s all.” “Excellent!” Pete said. He strolled to the door and looked back with a grin. “Friday night at six.
