Page 38 of When Morning Comes Around

She felt defensive when Dominic chuckled. “I know, it’s a silly, girly drink. Can I get you a soda or anything?”

“I’m fine, thanks.”

She kept her back to him as she fixed her drink.

“Hey.”

The note of concern in his voice made her turn around slowly.

He met her gaze and held it. “I wasn’t laughing at you. I don’t think it’s a silly, girly drink. I love the stuff. That’s why I was laughing.”

“You do?”

He nodded. “I admit that it’s not what I’d expect them to serve at that big man convention you were talking about, but I enjoy it. The point is that I wasn’t laughing at you.” His eyebrows drew together. “Dale used to laugh at you?”

She made a face. “Not so much laugh. He didn’t like it. So, I ended up not buying it most of the time. It was easier to go without something I liked than to have to listen to him tell me why I shouldn’t like it.”

Her heart leapt into her mouth when he took a step toward her.

“I… I’m not blaming him; it’s my own damn fault.”

He took another step, and she had to tilt her head back to look up into his eyes.

“Damn, how tall are you?”Way to kill the moment, Sadie, she berated herself.

He smiled as he looked down at her. “Six four. How tall are you?”

“Five eight.”

He smiled. “That’s what I guessed.”

She raised her eyebrows, and his smile faded.

“I mean… I…”

She chuckled. “It’s okay. Guessing at a woman’s height is perfectly fine. Weight, age, and finances can be touchy subjects, but I think height is fairly safe, in general. You don’t need to worry. I’m not offended.”

He was standing so close now that there were barely inches between them. “I… I wasn’t worried about offending you. At least, not by guessing your height.”

He looked so conflicted, and she didn’t understand why. She reached out to touch his arm, hoping to make him feel better. Instead of relaxing, her touch made him tense.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

His throat moved visibly as he swallowed. “I was worried about what you’d think since I kind of gave myself away.”

She gave him a puzzled smile. “You’ll have to forgive me, if you did give yourself away, I didn’t pick up on it.”

He rested his hand on her shoulder, and the weight of it there sent goose bumps racing over her skin. She reached up to cover his hand with her own.

“I’m making a mess of this.”

She squeezed his hand. “I think I’m the one doing that, but please explain?”

He closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them again, her tummy flipped over as she met the intensity of his gaze.

“When I told you that I’d guessed at your height, I thought I’d given myself away.”

She shook her head slowly. “If you thought that was a problem, then you’re safe – I’m still not following.”

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