Page 276 of The First Time
"True." His voice gets light. Well, for Blake.
"I love all of it. But I love graphic novels the most."
"Comic books?"
I nod.
He half-smiles. "You do realize I started a tech company at sixteen."
"And you were inspired by Batman or something?"
"No. He's too violent."
"Iron Man?"
"Do I strike you as snarky?"
I laugh. I'm pretty sure that's a joke.
It is. Blake is actually smiling. God, he has a nice smile. It makes me feel warm all over.
"I don't really read comic books," I say. "I'm not into superhero stories. I like graphic novels about people and relationships. My sister always says it's boring girl stuff."
"You love her a lot?"
"Of course. Don't you love your sister?"
He nods. "She's difficult, I know. If she was—"
"It's okay. I get it. What's the deal with her husband?"
"Trey? He's not a good man."
I arch a brow. "That's not a good explanation."
"It's not my secret to share."
Fair enough. I sink my teeth into the chocolate. It's perfect. Rich. Sweet. Satisfying. "What do you do for fun?"
"Chess."
"Chess?"
"That too." He glances at the plate. "Do you want something more substantial?"
"Not in the bath." I push back to the wall—the tub really is that big. "I… I want to know why we're doing this."
He nods. Then nothing.
"That was your cue to start the explanation," I say.
He nods to a glass of water. I roll my eyes but I drink the entire glass.
"Don't do that," he says.
"Follow your instructions?"
"Roll your eyes."
