Page 37 of Sin City Lights

“How does one acquire such a talent, if I may ask?”

“Does that count as a separate question?”

He chuckled.“Just curious.”

“I learned many useless tricks in college.”

“Where did you go?”

“University of Florida.”

He grinned.“Go, Gators!”

“Chomp, chomp!” She smiled.“You’re a Gator fan?”

“My sister went to UF. Many Saturdays spent with the family at The Swamp while she was there.”

“What major?”

“Medicine. She’s an OB-GYN. And you?”

“I majored in pre-physical therapy. I had a scholarship.”

She didn’t tell him that she hadn’t graduated or gone on to get her DPT or why getting that doctorate became an impossibility.

He pondered that and took a long drink of water. In fascination, Eve watched his Adam’s apple move as he swallowed. Her heart rate spiked. She wanted to lick him again. Not just his Adam’s apple either.

She lowered her eyes to her plate and spooned some cauliflower and bulgur.“Where did you go to college? I assume you did.”

“I did. UND.”

She blinked.“That doesn’t ring a bell.”

“University of North Dakota,” he clarified.“I got a BS in aeronautics with a major in commercial aviation.”

“That sounds impressive.”

He shrugged.“No more impressive than putting broken bodies back together.”

She realized that could be a lead-in for asking how she’d ended up working for Eleet, so Eve quickly steered away.“What number question are we on? I lost count.”

“Hmm…”

She took up her piña colada and chased the rum with her straw.“Wait…you never answered number five!”

A very seductive smile spread slowly across his face, and the effect was devastating.“Ah, yes, the talent question.”

He reached out and took her free hand in both of his, stroking her knuckles ever so lightly with his thumbs.“Can you guess what my hidden talent is, Eve?”

The straw slipped from between her lips. She shook her head.

A ringtone sounded, and Adam let go of her hand and reached to get his phone out of his pocket.

“Larssen.”

He listened. Whoever was on the other end of the line must have delivered unwelcome news because Adam’s jaw tightened and his brows furrowed.“I thought you said you handled it.”

He listened to the reply, fingertips drumming on the tabletop.

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