Page 8 of Fore Better or Worse
“Hays,” I warn, my voice stern.
“I’ll do naughty things around you all the time if my reward is you saying my name like that.”
And there goes my libido. “You’re insufferable, you know that?”
He runs a hand through his hair, his expression half-sheepish, half-proud, and lifts a shoulder. “I may have mentioned to your waiter that I’d appreciate knowing the birthday girl’s name. So much so, I’d be happy to compensate him for the information.”
“You bribed my waiter?” This man is too much, but I’m suddenly fighting another smile. “That explains why he kept hovering around our table. I thought he was being exceptionally attentive.”
“Fifty bucks well spent,” he confirms with such satisfaction I can’t help but laugh. Really laugh in a way I haven’t in a long time. His face lights up, and for a moment, all the walls around my heart threaten to crack.
“You’re ridiculous,” I say, shaking my head. “Though, I suppose I can’t judge. I Googled you after dinner.”
His expression sobers as if he doesn’t like hearing that. “You did?”
“Apparently, you’re quite the rising golf star.Swaggering, smirking heartthrobwas how one article put it.” I pause, studying his face for any sign of the ego I expect to emerge. “Though they failed to mention the complete lack of subtlety.”
But instead of preening, he shrugs it off and looks out over the water. “What can I say? I’m full of surprises.”
“Maybe, but we couldn’t be more different,” I point out, the rum and caffeine making me babble.
“How’s that?” He seems genuinely perplexed.
“You’ve got a dozen collegiate golf wins, a professional sports career, your own Wikipedia page, and a well-used international passport. I have a 4.0 in English Lit, a manuscript that needs extensive rewrites, a blue ribbon from the county fair, and a reserved coffee mug atBayfront Beanswith my name on it.”
“You sure have a unique way of flirting.”
Tabitha’s head would explode if she could hear me right now, but I can’t help but point out what’s blatantly obvious. “I’m not flirting. I’m—”
“What is it they say? Opposites attract?”
“Not in real life! I mean, sure, in theory it works, but think about it. You’re a man who likes to party, out here slinging smiles and making hearts race, whereas I prefer to be at home curled up in bed with a book. Don’t be fooled by the mascara and heels tonight.”
“Believe me, sweetheart, if the choice was between being here right now or being at home in your bed, trying my best to distract you from your book, this boat wouldn’t even be a consideration.”
Oh.
“Plus, you drop the fact you got a 4.0 in college like it's nothing, but you’re looking at a guy who barely scraped by witha 2.8, and that was with an army of tutors and countless hours of required study groups.”
The admission catches me off guard. In my limited experience with successful men, I haven’t found they highlight their academic shortcomings to impress women. But the way he says it, without shame or defensiveness, gives me pause. Not because we’re similar, but more because he’s not perfect.
When I risk a glance at him, there’s something unexpected in his expression.
“And you write novels? Believe me, that’s much more impressive than being able to smash a ball four hundred yards. What do you write?”
The genuine interest in his voice surprises me. David never asked about my writing. Instead he complained I always had my nose in my laptop rather than giving him the attention he thought he deserved. “Romance.”
“You don’t sound so sure about that.”
I hesitate. “Let’s just say I’ve been less than inspired lately.”
The words come out more bitter than I intended, and I immediately regret them. I glance toward the horizon, pushing away the memories of David’s excuses and broken promises.
“Then it seems we met at the perfect time. I’m happy to serve as your inspiration.”
I can’t help but laugh, my imagination already racing with what this man could inspire me to write.
“So,” he continues, “you’re telling me you’re going to be a published author and I’m still trying to win my first tour event? I’d better step up my game if I want to keep impressing you.”
