Chapter 12 #2
“No.” My swift reply causes his eyes to widen. “It makes the most sense. The world will always need nurses. And there’s always a chance a friend or family member may need care as well.” I don’t need to share my mother’s current state. That’s no one’s business but mine and hers.
An almost pained expression washes over his face. What’s that about? “Life’s too short not to do what makes you happy.”
“Sure. But it’s even longer without a roof over your head. Stability is worth a lot.” My words are a bit clipped given the current state of unrest I reside in. “What’s your favorite comfort food?” I toss out, hoping to move on to lighter topics.
“Probably my mom’s mac n’ cheese. I didn’t get to enjoy it very often. My stepfather and stepbrother weren’t fans of the gooey dish. So it was pretty special when she’d make it for me.” He flashes a dreamy smile, I assume fueled by his fondness for her. It’s honestly more than a little endearing.
“You?”
“Anything someone else cooks,” I mutter.
It’s been a very long time since my budget allowed me to eat out, hence why I made the very most of tonight’s extravagant meal.
I’ve had to get pretty creative with meals at home to stretch my grocery dollar.
Everything related to food prep had become mind-numbing.
“But if you could have anything you wanted?” he pressed.
“Anything? Probably crabcake or something that reminds me of life on the water.”
“Oh.” He adjusts his position, sitting taller. “You like being by the sea?”
“Have no idea. But I imagine it would be relaxing. I almost made it to Virginia Beach once.” I shrug.
“But our plans fell through.” Again. Nothing I ever planned seemed to come to fruition.
Brad always seemed to come up with something more important he had to do.
My eyes peer out the floor to ceiling windows to the illuminated water of Lake Anna as it seems to dance under the moon and stars above. “This is pretty nice, actually.”
“It is, isn’t it?” The room grows still for a moment. Looking in his direction, I find his dark eyes are on mine. I have to question whether he’s referring to the view… or something else.
“I guess if it was true comfort food, it’d be something from Luigi’s.
” On the rare occasion we had enough money to get takeout, like a birthday or to celebrate something special, Mom would order from the local Italian restaurant.
It was always fantastic. Plus, the large portions would allow us to share and still have leftovers.
“Oh, I love that place,” Ben blurts. “Best Italian in Hanover, hands down.” He rubs his strong thigh through his suit pants. I have to fight not following the movement up and down his muscular leg to his— “So, for the important question you dodged earlier.”
“I did?” I angle my head trying to ponder anything I may have avoided during our previous conversations.
His bright blue eyes twinkle, the corner of his mouth curling in a sly grin. “How old are you, Grace Kelly?”
Why does that nickname make me blush? Well, not as much as baby girl, but let’s not go there. “Twenty-four. You?”
His brows inch up in surprise. Is that good or bad, I can’t help but wonder. “Thirty-four.”
I’m not sure how I feel about that. Mostly given this sham of an engagement thing we have going is practically already done and I’ll never see him again.
We’re merely making small talk to kill the time until Milton clears the scene and I can make a break for it.
As much as I can’t help letting my mind get caught up in how handsome this sweet talker is, there’s no way I’m letting myself get tangled in his clever web.
I’ve barely managed to walk away with two nickels after the last men in my life.
And they were clueless. I fear I’d be no match for someone with ten years on me.
He must sense my mind reeling, tossing out a new question to get our conversation back somewhere with less of an inference to the two of us. “How about your favorite candy?”
I giggle at the random question. This lighthearted equivalent of twenty questions is refreshing.
Not that I’ll ever see this handsome stranger again once this day is done.
Tapping my lower lip with the pad of my index finger, I try to remember the last piece of candy I ate. “I used to like Ring Pops.”
A wide smile engulfs his handsome face, causing a dimple I hadn’t realized he possessed to pop from his left cheek. “That one caught me off guard,” he admits. “Was expecting something like chocolate-covered cherries or Red Vines or something.” I scrunch up my nose, eliciting a chuckle from him.
“You?”
“I like kisses.”
My eyes instinctively fall to his full lips. Another rush of heat unfurls from my chest to my neck at his response. Reaching for the remainder of my champagne, I down the rest, attempting to put out the fire.
“But Sour Patch candy is pretty good too.” He grins, rubbing the dark scruff along his jawline. “They’re a bit like you, Grace Kelly. A quirky, tantalizing mix of sweet and sassy.”
“Ha. No one’s ever compared me to a Sour Patch before.
” Rotating to face him, I drop my hands on my hips in an overly theatrical fashion.
“Hey. Should I be offended?” I snicker. “You know, my quirks and imperfections are some of my best qualities. They’re part of my charm.
” My lids flutter, my chin raised as I embrace my unique personality.
It may not be everyone’s cup of tea. But that’s just fine by me.
His voice is so low and gravely I almost miss his words, too preoccupied by the tremble they’ve invoked in my body. “You seem pretty damn perfect to me, Grace.”