Page 5 of Accidental Fiancé

“You could say that,” she said with a shy smirk.

Tim explained, “Andra was my advisor.”

“He always had a thing for older women,” one of the other guys teased. His nametag read, Will Jones. The second man I didn’t recognize was Lewis Penn. Thank God for nametags.

Andra was unfazed by Will’s teasing. “That works for me. I’ve always liked younger men.”

We had a laugh, and I asked, “So, Tim, what are you doing these days?”

“Not much.”

“Not much?” Andra asked, astounded at his answer. She beamed. “He’s the lead researcher on a project that could end world hunger.”

“Oh?”

He shook his head, smiling at her. “She’s overstating it. We’re manipulating the genetic code in certain grains to be able to withstand drought, flood, and high wind conditions to help them survive climate change in order to maintain production while we get our weather back under control.”

Lewis tapped Tim on his chest with the back of his hand. “Sounds like ending world hunger to me, man.”

“See?” Andra insisted, still grinning at her husband.

“What about you, Lewis?” I asked.

He smiled. “Don’t follow sports, do you?”

“Not really. Are you an athlete?” He looked like he wouldn’t qualify for a bowling league, but what did I know? I wasn’t much of a sports fan outside of high school.

“Nah, I’m an announcer for ESPN.”

“That’s huge! Congratulations!”

He shrugged. “It’s not ending world hunger but it’s a fun living.”

Andra asked, “And Will, what about you?”

“I’m a vet.”

“Thank you for your service.”

“Sorry, veterinarian. No thanks needed.”

She giggled, then whispered into Tim’s ear, turning his cheeks pink. He’d always been too innocent for his own good. I was glad to see he was with someone who clearly appreciated that about him.

He cleared his throat. “Uh, I think I need to take her dancing. Gentlemen, excuse us.” He took her hand and led her to the dance floor.

“They make a good couple,” I noted. “How come no one asked what I do?”

Will and Lewis exchanged a glance and laughed. Will asked, “Are you kidding?”

“Everyone knows what you do,” Lewis added.

“We didn’t think you’d be able to come here and make time for us peasants.”

“Why wouldn’t I come here?”

“You run a multi-billion-dollar medical company,” Will said. “I would think that takes up most of your time. Black-Aster isone of the biggest companies in the market, hell, I think you make all of the products in my medicine cabinet.”

“And my shower,” Lewis mumbled.