Page 123 of Catfish

The best of both worlds.

The heaven before the hurricane.

The rapture that you’d want to get lost in.

"Bowling baller, huh? I don't think anyone would know what that means besides you."

“People my age would know.”

"How old do you think I am?" His voice is incredulous, which is even more humorous if you knew the kind of man he is.

I meet his stare, complacent. “Older than me.”

"What are you, eighteen? You act like I could be your stepfather if I became a dad at nine."

“Old enough.”

“Yeah, I can see the age difference because you act like a brat.”

“How old are you?” I ask off a lift of my shoulders. “Like forty?”

He glares at me. “Seriously?”

“I don’t remember. When I Googled you, I—”

“You Googled me?" He actually looks more amused than irritated, which is different. He puts his elbow on the table and rests his chin in his palm. "Tell me, Miss Shelton, did you find anything interesting?"

Besides how hot you are—nothing.

“Not a thing. Your Wikipedia page is as dry as s—”

“Watch your next words, Miss Shelton,” he warns me in a light tone. “You said you were trying to do better.”

My eyes narrow. “I was going to say the Sahara desert.”

"Sure, you were." The corners of his lips hoist again as he reaches for the pickle that was just residing in my little boat-plate thingy.

“You really are fucking annoying, Governor.” He swipes the burger next and takes another bite, slowly chewing to add on to my comment.

“Soooo good.”

I chuck a fry at him. “See.”

“You said split it with me—“ He waves around the pickle. “—where’s the knife?”

“You didn’t grab one.”

"Your legs broken?" He lifts a brow, and his eyes roam over me. “Because I'm not giving you workman's comp."

I fold my arms along my chest to keep the sudden rush of normalcy at bay.

We are just acting like two human beings.

"I forgot to add you're kind of an asshole in there too."

He tsks. “Speaking to your boss in such a manner, Miss Shelton.” He takes another bite. “I’m gonna have to keep the burger.”

I reach for it but he leans back before taking another generous bite. “I hope you choke.”

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