Page 9 of Nerdy Dirty Valentine

“I like all coffee. Black or creamed. All day. Any kind. Although a little sweet is my favorite.” I matched his serious tone. The normal me would have flirted, adding something cliché about taking coffee like my men and smirking. But James’ remark about my “sad” eyes stopped me.

I finally met his eyes again, and something swooped low in my belly.Oh, shit.No, this had to be ignored.

“Noted. All coffee.” James smiled in relief and dragged a hand through his blond hair, messing it into tiny spikes.

“Why don’t we take Ginsberg on a walk around the block? My shift isn’t starting for a little while.” Anything to move. I wasn’t one to stand around and just… talk.

“Sure!” James instantly chirped, nearly tripping over his feet to match my strides.

“Do you like teaching?” I asked after a moment.

He bopped his head up and down. “Love it! Helping bring a book to life for somebody else is the best imaginable job. Although my parents worried when I went to graduate school for literature—they wanted me to follow them into mathematics and become actuaries. I’m good at math, but I couldn’t imagine it.” He shook his head.

“And that was an issue for them?”

“A little. It’s one of the reasons I moved to California and attended Stanford for graduate school and then came to Phoenix for my first job. I’ve been promoted—no, more an adjunct—but my parents still question my income and all, but I’m doing fine.” He lifted his chin.

“Better to do what you love than just what pays the bills,” I offered as we turned the corner of the block.

“That’s it exactly. I need to be surrounded by Whitman and Dickens—” He broke off with a flush. “Oh, sorry, I’m noteven asking you anything, just babbling on. Get me started on teaching literature and I just… sorry. I’m so bad socially, if the diner didn’t make that obvious."

“Don’t be sorry.” I smiled. I liked his excited babble and the way he hurled out words in a chaotic hurry. “And as far as dating, well, just keep in mind that guys like to talk about themselves. Ask them questions.”

“Right.” James pinched the bridge of his nose. “So, um, how do you feel about current politics? I’m worried about the increasing hostility toward free speech in academia.”

I groaned. “Not politics. Something less personal?”

“The freedom to speak or read should worry us all,” James muttered. Then he sighed, running a hand through his hair until it stood up. “Favorite color?”

“Blue.” I stared a moment into his vivid eyes. “You?”

“Green… Um, how did you end up in Phoenix?”

We paused while Ginsberg sniffed at a tiny patch of grass.

“We moved around all the time after my dad passed. I must have gone to five or so schools, some before we met, some after. The last one was in Scottsdale. Anyhow, I liked the area and stayed in Phoenix. My mother is still in Scottsdale, far as I know.”

“Far as you know?”

“We don’t see each other much.”

James bit his lip. “I’m sorry about that. And here I was complaining about my parents, who I must talk to like twice a week…”

“It’s fine, that’s good. Youshouldbe allowed to complain and still be close to them.”

James stopped walking and stared at me. “Thank you. That’s more than I deserved for always inserting my foot into my mouth.” He gave a crooked smile. “You’re a lovely person. You know that? I sure misjudged you in high school.”

“We misjudged each other.” I shrugged. Hell, was I about to blush? Good thing I had a tan that hid it. People normally call me “sexy” or “strong.”

Never lovely.

“Anyhow, we should get moving.”

We started to go again, only Ginsberg wasn’t having it. He rolled to his stomach.

“Come on.” James tugged his leash. “Oh, shoot. I gave him water in the car, but he gets stubborn like this in the heat. He’s not meant for the desert.” James stroked his fur. “Come on, boy. I have water for you and treats. Just a few more steps.”

Grunting, Ginsberg still refused to move.

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