Page 181 of Dead Man's List

He pulled her chair out for her and she beamed at him again. It was amazing how a smile from Kit McKittrick could makehim feel ten feet tall. He sat beside her, still stunned that this evening was happening at all. “Then why have the party here?”

“Bride’s family is local and they wanted to throw a big country club wedding.” She shuddered. “I’ve had enough of country clubs for a while. But again, nonwork topics. The guy said that Akiko could have the tuna, and she was over the moon. We filled her freezer, Mom’s freezer, and the freezers of most of our brothers and sisters. When she brought that fish to Mom and Pop’s, I thought the girls’ eyes were going to pop out of their heads. They’d never seen a fish that big. Most people haven’t. It took all of us a long time to clean and chop up that fish.”

“I’m glad they got a new experience. And I’m glad I get to eat it without having to do any work.”

Kit chuckled. “And I didn’t have to cook anything, so I’m happy, too.”

“You must be tired. You had a long day.” But she was still here. She hadn’t rescheduled.

“I should be, but I’m not. I get a jolt of energy when I close a case, especially a big one. You ready to eat?”

Sam took a bottle of champagne from the ice bucket. “I know you’re not a drinker, but we can have a little.”

She smiled at him, and he felt like he’d already drunk the whole bottle, his insides all bubbly. “Just a half glass for me.”

He filled it all the way, anyway. “You have to get the nose-tickling experience of a full glass of champagne.”

She gave him a doubtful look. “If you say so.”

He held out his glass. “To second second dates.”

She laughed and tipped her glass to his. “And no murders.”

“Definitely.” He watched as she took her first sip, her eyes widening.

“Oh. This is good. I’ve never liked champagne before.”

“This is the good stuff. It was a gift from my boss, and I’ve been saving it for a special occasion.”

She dropped her gaze to her plate, her cheeks pinking up. But her smile was real. Shy, but real.

And so damn appealing. Everything about Kit McKittrick was so damn appealing.

She looked up and found him staring at her. Her cheeks became an even darker pink. “What?”

“You’re pretty.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m just me.”

“And you are pretty. Just say thank you, Kit.”

Another eye roll, but she looked pleased. “Thank you.”

He stopped staring and began eating the dinner Akiko had prepared. “This is delicious.”

She hummed. “It really is. I should learn to cook, but between Mom and Akiko, I don’t have to.”

“Must say I’m jealous.”

“You don’t have to be. Mom would cook for you every single day if you asked.”

“While tempting, it’s not exactly practical. I’m not a terrible cook. My father taught me a few recipes.”

“Not your mom?”

Sam chuckled. “No. My mother is an amazing woman, but she is a terrible cook.”

They continued eating in a companionable silence until Sam couldn’t eat another bite. “I want to eat more, but I’m stuffed.”

---