Page 24 of Safe and Sound

“Okay, so enough about me.”

“Color me surprised you don’t want the conversation on you.”

“Har, har. I want to know more about the woman who knocked me on my ass in more ways than one.”

“What do you want to know?”

“I just met your nephews and nieces, but they’re more like your siblings.”

I nodded. “It boils down to the fact we were raised more like siblings. My brothers were twenty- four and twenty-two when I was born.”

Dare’s eyes widened. “Wow, I thought the almost sixteen year age difference between my oldest and youngest brother was a lot.”

“Nope. My family has you beat.”

“It sounds like we come from similar families though.”

“If you mean loud, boisterous, and always in your business, then yes we do,” I remarked.

“You just described my family perfectly, especially always in your business. Like I had a run-in with my younger brother about that very thing tonight.”

“You did?”

With a sheepish expression, Dare replied, “Yeah, it got physical.”

My eyes popped wide. “While we are known for raising our voices, I can’t remember the last time any of my family got physical.”

“Seriously? I’ve always heard how temperamental Greeks can be.”

“Maybe that’s a harmful stereotype like what drunks the Irish are,” I clapped back.

Dare threw back his head with a hearty laugh. “Actually, that’s pretty accurate about my Irish family.” Amusement danced in Dare’s blue eyes. “You’re a real ball buster, aren’t you?”

“If you mean I tell it like it is and don’t take shit off anybody, then yeah, I’m a ball buster.”

“What do you do in your spare time besides busting balls?” Dare asked.

I laughed. “I’m an accountant.”

“Seriously?”

I eyed him around the rim of my mojito. “Is there something wrong with it?”

With a shake of his head, Dare replied, “No. Of course not. It’s just that most of the accountants I’ve come in contact with are total sticks in the mud.”.

“Sadly, we can't all lead glamorous lives like club owners.”

“True. I need you worker drones to come and destress by spending money here.”

I playfully smacked his arm. “Hey now.”

“Just teasing you.”

“What job did you see me doing?”

“Something with a little more kick.”

“Like an FBI agent?” I suggested.

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