Page 19 of The Grinch who Loved Me
She took another bite, “Do you have any siblings?”
He shook his head, “None.”
“Oh.”
He shrugged, “My parents weren’t much for kids. My dad didn’t like people and stayed far from them. My mom was the opposite, and I’m a lot like my dad.”
Aria raised one delicate eyebrow, “You don’t like people either?”
He shook his head, “Not really. I don’t understand them. It’s easier to just be quiet and work with cars.”
She looked a little distressed. “And here I am invading your space. I really am sorry.”
He shook his head, “It’s not the same with you. I don’t know why.”
She bit her lip again and this time a growl did escape him and he coughed slightly to cover it up.
Her hazel eyes flew to his and she went pink again, “Um. Thank you for the food. It really is good. I have been so busy I didn’t have much time to eat today.”
“What do you do?”
She smiled, “I make custom jewelry.”
“Custom jewelry?”
She nodded, “I own a small store in Celebration. I love it. It’s very exhilarating.”
He stared at her, unsure of what to say.
“Um. That’s, well. That’s nice.”
She covered her mouth and coughed slightly and his mouth twitched.
He went back to eating his food and her fork moved around on the plate for a moment and then she put it down.
“I think I should get going. I have stayed way too long.”
He looked up at her again, “What? You didn’t eat.”
Her lips lifted slightly at the edges, “I am not as hungry as I thought. I took up enough of your time as it is.”
He dropped his fork, suddenly anxious for her not to leave.
“I haven’t fixed your car yet.”
She nodded, “I know, but I can call a cab.”
He shook his head, “I’m not very good at this whole thing. I’m sorry. Tell me more about your store.”
She shook her head, “I don’t want to bore you.”
He felt his lips lift, “You are most definitely not boring.”
Her eyes widened and she went pink again. That blush was his favorite.
He wanted to see how far it went down. Which made him suck in his food at that thought.
He coughed hard and she reached for her crutches and he shook his head and pounded on his chest for a second.
