Page 34 of A Very Titan Christmas
“Years ago, estimates said it shortened life expectancy by ten years. That time frame is shortening, and with research and continuous care, that downward trajectory will continue.”
“That’s good.”
Rachel nodded. “Eloise will be around for a long, long time. No need for her to freak out that my uterus is empty and will be for the foreseeable future.”
He shoved his fists into his parka’s pockets and leaned against the stone wall. “That’s what the MSDD fundraiser is for.”
“Yes and no. She has money. Access to good care and great health insurance. It’s more for anyone who lives in rural New England and needs access to doctors. More care means better odds for people not married to a US senator. Healthcare is expensive.”
“Ah, that sounds like the Eloise Porter I used to know.”
“She’s a busybody and a do-gooder. She pushes me to the point I want to tear my hair out, but then she fits more into a single day than ten people. Ninety-nine percent of the time, she’s doing something for the community.” Parsing the many sides of her mom was uncomfortable. Rachel changed the subject. “Who’s Jared Westin?”
“My boss.” Bryce snorted. “He’s a jackass one hundred percent of the time, but somehow still one of the good guys.”
“Ah, an undercover good guy with a stable job. Good thing he’s married. Otherwise, my mother might try to set me up with him.”
Bryce tipped his head back and hooted.
“What?”
“Jared Westin is not your type.”
She scoffed, rolling her eyes at the certainty in his voice. “You don’t know my type.”
He smirked like he did. “I bet I do. Want to wager that I hit the bull’s-eye?”
Maybe he had known her at one point, but things changed. “Absolutely not.” She looked him up and down. “You’re so cocky. Good thing this isn’t a real relationship because I don’t like cocky.”
“Then you definitely wouldn’t like Jared Westin, and you’re reading me all wrong, Rach. Not cocky. Confident.”
Her eyes rolled hard enough to give her whiplash. “Things change, Bryce.”
“Nah, I could guess your type. No problem.”
“I’m not betting, but you’d be dead-ass wrong if I did.”
“Then let me take a guess.” His hazel eyes narrowed on Rachel, and she could see flecks of gold. He’d grown out of the light smattering of freckles on his cheeks. The faintest hint of them lingered and added a boyish charm to his rough exterior. “All right, all right. Your type.” His lips pinched together as if he were assessing her. “Responsible—”
“Of course, the man of my dreams is responsible. No one hopes an irresponsible man will sweep her off her feet.”
The tight corners of his mouth pulled up. “Someone calm to counter your…”
“Careful, Bryce,” she warned but heard the tease in her own words.
“Spunk.”
“Spunk?” Her smile curved. Spunk had a peppy connotation. Spunky was like feisty but more wholesome. Spunk was kinda cute. She had to ignore the warm surge in her belly and cut off any more of his guesses. “What about you? What’s your type?”
His brows raised, and his hazel eyes danced as they issued a challenge. “You don’t have a guess?”
It was as if he was trying to read her thoughts. A chilly breeze picked up. She pushed her hair from her face, returned her gaze to him, and felt a little jolt in her stomach. Rachel shook her head and painted on a mental shield. She hadn’t asked him to pretend because she intended to fall for him. “I wouldn’t presume to know.”
“You wouldn’t, huh?” He grinned. “Fair enough. I’ve always been partial to blondes.” He rubbed strands of her hair between his fingers and then tucked them behind her ear. “Intelligent, a little sassy, sweet.”
She fidgeted with the zipper of her jacket and turned toward the overlook. Bryce pressed against her and placed his palms on the wall. “Green eyes have been known to be my undoing.”
Though they were dressed for the weather and had enough layers between them to insulate an elf in the North Pole, tingles spread from the small of her back and worked their magical way up her spine. Her breaths became shallower, and she detested the butterflies that raced in her stomach. Reacting to him was ridiculous.
