Page 59 of Talk Birdie to Me

“Is that like bi?”

“It just means I like who I like, and gender doesn’t really matter. But they’re almost the same thing.”

Geena nodded while she looked as if she was processing the information. “Okay. Got it.”

He decided to take a chance and stretch the conversation to what was probably slightly out of her comfort zone. “You? Just guys?”

“Yeah. I mean, I find women attractive, too. Like, I can say your date was pretty hot.” Her cheeks flushed slightly with the admission. “But I’ve never been with a woman. Just guys. So yeah, I’m straight.”

Cody smiled, trying to keep it contained so she wouldn’t think he was making fun of her. “Hate to break it to you, but it sounds like you might be bi. Or pan. Depending on how you feel about people overall.”

“How?” She looked genuinely confused. “I’ve never dated a woman.”

“Doesn’t matter. It’s about the attraction, not the act.”

“Oh,” she said, staring at the floor for a moment, then looking back up at him. “Then, yeah. I guess I might be bisexual.”

Cody put his hands up. “I don’t mean to tell you what you are. That’s for you to figure out. I’m just saying, it doesn’t have to be about who you’ve dated or been with.”

“Right. Got it.” Then, with a shy smile, she said, “Thanks.”

He gave her a nod and a rush of warmth flooded him. He’d revealed his sexuality to plenty of people before, but it never felt like an intimate or vulnerable thing. Not like this.

Geena broke the stretch of silence with a clap of her hands. “Well, since the security camera didn’t take long, and Gary’s had a quick stretch, I suggest we celebrate getting that thing working.”

Cody raised his brow as his interest rose right along with it. “What did you have in mind?”

“There’s a little place down the road. You up for burgers? My treat.”

Cody was taken aback. He figured she’d have had more than enough of his company by now. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I owe you for all of this.” She gestured at the empty box and tools on the coffee table. “We can test the app out while we’re there.”

“Good idea.”

He checked her hazel eyes for any sign of hesitation. For any sign that she was doing this just to be polite. Because she didn’t owe him anything, since she was doing a favor by keeping Gary.

But he found no such thing. In fact, the only thing he saw in her eyes was… hope?

That couldn’t be right.

Either way, he was hungry, and a burger sounded good. So did her company.

If she was down for dinner, so was he.

“All right, Bourque.” He grabbed his keys from the table and nodded at her. “I’ll drive.”

15

“You weren’t kidding, Bourque,” Cody said. “This is one of the best burgers I’ve had since I’m back home.”

Geena felt a tiny swell of pride at selecting a place he would love. Like a continuation of whatever game they’d been playing of picking each other’s favorite foods.

Not that his pleasure was the only reason she’d wanted to eat there. The burgers were delicious, and she could get a smaller version of the fully loaded one. She liked burgers, but a third of a pound of meat was more chewing than she wanted in a meal. She’d much rather spend her effort munching on their perfectly seasoned crinkle fries.

Plus, the two-for-one beer, wine, or margaritas all evening made it an irresistible deal. Since they weren’t planning on staying long and Cody didn’t want to drive after drinking too much, they’d split the beer deal and both had a smooth, nutty lager from a local brewery.

Everything about the place was familiar and comforting to her. Everything except her dinner companion.

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