Page 30 of Unexpected Hero

He rises swiftly and returns a few moments later with a clear plastic cup of ice water. One for himself too.

“Thank you.”

“I knew you were going to say that. Perhaps I’m a mind reader.”

His smile is back, and there goes my lower half, getting all kinds of silly ideas.

“I was just thinking you were reading my mind.”

He cricks his head to the side in silent question.

“About the water,” I explain.

“Oh, it wasn’t that hard to figure out. Your mouth was likely dry from the bread, and sweetened coffee doesn’t go with—”

“Buttery bread.”

He smiles again. “Exactly.”

He finishes his chips before restarting the conversation. “You never answered me before. What brings you to town?”

“Oh, sorry. I was distracted by your mind reading. But uh… let’s see. Why am I here? That’s a fantastic question. A bit loaded, though.”

“How so?”

He cleans the apple with his napkin, buffing and polishing it to a shine. Again, my gaze falls to his hands. I like his hands. Too much.

“Lettie,” he prods.

I shake off the visions of his hands on my skin. “Oh, sorry. It’s a loaded question because I honestly have no idea why I’m here. Life’s been messy lately.”

“You must have some reason, or you wouldn’t be here.”

Stalling a bit more, I take another bite of the other half of the sandwich. Then another. I’m so dang hungry.

Another moan escapes me. “Mmm.”

Stop singing to your food, Lettie. He’s going to think you’re crazy.

He can’t find that out until at least the third date.

His face is a mask of tension when I get the gumption to look at him again. Probably because I still haven’t answered him. It’s like this is my first day having a conversation.

“It’s complicated,” I confess, dropping the sandwich. Regrettably.

“I’m a smart guy. I’m sure I can follow.”

“You’re kind of intense. Do you know that?”

He shifts forward and rests his forearms on the table. “Yes.”

“Touché.”

He squints with one eye, wrinkling the side of his face. “Not quite the right use of the word, but that’s okay.”

“What are you? The grammar police?”

“Yeah. I’m going to have to arrest you. Up against the wall.”

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