Page 22 of Zone Protection

“Emma”—he smiles widely—“have you looked me up?”

Listen, I’m not shy, and I’m a confident gal, so I have no problem admitting I have, in fact, looked him up. But also, his face is everywhere on this campus. And I’ve seen him onSportsCentermore than once.

“Yeah, I have. But don’t act like you aren’t basically a celebrity on campus.” I roll my eyes, smiling.

“You looked me up.” His grin is so wide that I can’t help but laugh.

The waiter comes back over and places the check on the table, then takes Archie’s plate. Archie reaches for it and pulls out his wallet.

“I can pay for my half,” I offer.

“Darlin’, don’t insult me. I would never in a million years let you pay. Call me old-fashioned, but not happening.” He hands the waiter his card and nods to him.

“You can take your time eating. I’m in no rush.” He nods to my bowl.

“No, I’m good. I wasn’t really hungry, but while I wasn’t nauseous, I wanted to try to eat something.” I wipe my mouth with my napkin and set it back in my lap.

“Is that all you wanted to know about me? About my family?”

I cross my arms and look at him with an arched brow. There are so many things I want to know about him, yet there are only so many hours in the day. “Okay, Archie. I need to ask you three very important questions that could make or break this relationship.”

He leans forward, as if ready for the challenge. “Fire away.”

“One, when you travel, do you need a packed itinerary for max efficiency, or are you ago where the wind takes youkinda guy?”

He purses his mouth in contemplation. “I like a looseitinerary. The main hits of the trip are planned, like dinner or a tour, with some wiggle room on what we do in between.”

I nod in appreciation. I am a consummate planner who even schedules my time to relax, which is probably not the best.

Liking his answer, I continue, “Two, what is a movie you’ve seen a million times and would watch again if it came on TV?”

“The Parent Trap,” he answers easily. “The Lindsay Lohan version. Don’t look at me like that. It’s a great movie, and when I’m home, it always happens to be playing on cable. My mom loves those sappy channels. No lie—I’ve seen that movie so many times, and I’d totally watch it again if it were on right now. That, andCrazy, Stupid, Love. So cool how all the stories just wind into each other. You’ve seen that?”

I grin. “I have. Why did I expect you to say a football movie or a Marvel film?”

“Because that’s what all guys like, but I’m not your typical guy.”

“That you’re not.”

“Okay, what’s your last question?”

I smash my lips together for a moment before asking, “What is the one thing you’re most passionate about?”

His eyes zero in on mine and widen slightly. The dark orbs hold my gaze and pierce me with a searing heat that warms me more than the soup. It feels like I’m the one thing he is most passionate about, which is ridiculous because we’ve known each other for a combination of hours—yet it already feels like one of the most important relationships I’ve ever had in my life.

I suppose it is.

I sit back and wait for him to answer. When he does, it’s with sheer conviction.

“Being a man.”

I blink at him and then scowl slightly, wondering where he’s going with that comment.

“Faith, family, and hard work. That’s what it takes to be a man, and I work damn hard every day to be a good one.”

Well, color me taken aback, but that was perhaps the best answer to a question I’ve ever heard.

I like this man. I like him so much. My chest feels like it’s tightening, which could be good or bad. I’m either smitten or having a heart attack. Verdict’s currently out.

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