Page 47 of Dex

“The shade of green that’s earthy and solid, like the one we have at home.”

He peers at me.“What color is that?”

“You’ll see when you come over.”

He chortles.“I get to ask another question because your answer is so vague.Tell me something else.”

I sip my drink.“I’m a black belt in jiu-jitsu.”

He sits up straighter.“What?”

“You heard me.”

“You’re a black belt?In jiu-jitsu?”

I nod.

He stares like it’s the most impressive thing he’s heard.“That’s … fucking awesome.”

I raise a brow.“You sound surprised.”

“Because I am.”He leans in.“What else?”

I hesitate.“I go to the gym.I run.”

“Big deal.So do most people I know.”

“I’ve also run marathons.”

His eyes widen.“F—” He stops himself.“You’ve run marathons?”

“Yes.”

He exhales.“You really are full of surprises.Where?”

I sip my drink, watching him.“The São Paulo International Marathon, the London Marathon and the New York City Marathon.”

“Color me shocked.”He slumps back against the velvet booth, but this time when he looks at me, there’s admiration in his eyes.“You love your parents,” he states.

“Doesn’t everyone?”

“No.”We stare at one another in silence.He doesn’t want me to probe, yet, he’s probing.“You adore your father.”

“He’s a wonderful man.”

He shakes his head.“Yeah.We really are nothing alike.”He doesn’t smile this time, and it feels like the air has suddenly chilled.

“Serious question.What’s your biggest weakness, Dexter?”

His lips tug up at the corners.“Women who ask too many questions.”Then, softer, his voice dropping lower.“And people I can’t protect.”A server passes by.“Another round of drinks?”Dexter asks me.

“Maybe we should open the champagne?It was nice of your friend to offer it.”

“Yeah.I guess it was.”

I sit back and watch Dexter pour champagne into our glasses.This evening isn’t as bad as I thought it would be.

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