Page 28 of Unexpected Hero

He pops a straw into his cup. “Okay.”

I should cut the poor guy loose and free him of his guilt. Good deed done. He doesn’t need to suffer in my pathetic presence.

“Look, James, I know you’re only being nice and making sure I eat. I appreciate it. You’ve been incredibly kind.” After a deep breath, I add, “But you don’t have to stay if you don’t want to.”

The way he studies me is slightly disconcerting. The longer our interaction goes on, the more it seems everything I do irritates him. Maybe all those feelings of safety I got about him earlier were wrong.

Suddenly, he reaches over the table and puts his hands on mine. My fumbling fingers freeze. I didn’t realize I was fidgeting until he stopped me.

“Do I make you nervous, Lettie?”

Creepy. Fucking. Question.

“A little.”

Oops. That slipped out.

That’s what she said.

Backpedaling quickly, I ramble, “It’s only because you don’t seem especially happy to be here. Or maybe you don’t like me.”

“Why do you think that?”

“You’re not smiling, laughing, or saying much. Meanwhile, I’m clearly saying all the wrong things. And now I’m rambling, and I think you’re cute and was stupid enough to think this was a date. Oh my gosh; I said that out loud.”

His laugh cuts off my words because a smile accompanies it.

A real one.

His teeth are perfectly straight and bright white. The way his lips pull tight hits me with a powerful shot of lust.

Good lord. He should not be smiling. That’s dangerous.

Once his laughter fades, he grows instantly serious again. It’s like flipping a switch.

“Lettie, I don’t think you’re saying all the wrong things. There are no right or wrong things to say. Just relax. I’m enjoying your company.”

“You are?”

That sounded a bit higher pitched than I intended.

He nods. “I am.”

That’s it. That’s all he’s going to give me.

Frowning, I give him a stern look of doubt. The one my dad used to give me when I was bullshitting him. “I’m calling BS.”

“You’re calling BS on what?” He looks amused now, which is an improvement from... well, from the nothing he’s been giving me outside of that laugh and panty-dampening smile.

“On you enjoying my company.”

His tongue dabs at his lower lip, catching my attention. I have to force a lump down my throat. It’s suddenly hard to swallow.

“I’ve been told I’m not overly emotional,” he admits with a hint of shyness crossing his features. “And I don’t usually talk unless it’s something worth saying. But I’m honest.” His eyes shift away from mine. “You can believe me when I say I’m enjoying your company.”

My reply is cut off as our grilled cheese sandwiches appear.

Yummy. My mouth waters.

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