“I’m confused.”
“No you’re not. Annoyed, scared, in love, but not confused.”
She snorted. “You’re delirious.”
“No, I’m right. But that’s another discussion. So sell me.”
“You’re just fishing for compliments.”
“Fine. Don’t sell me. Sell the perfect man.”
“He doesn’t exist.”
“Sydney, humor me. Remember, I’m the man with the magic tongue.”
She snorted. “Okay, Romeo. Hmm. The perfect man? Well, he’d have to be funny, smart, not threatened by my success. He’d have to have stamina. I have a healthy sex drive.”
“Yes, you do.” He smiled.
Her cheeks turned a sexy shade of pink. “He’d have to be in shape. And he’d have to appeal to me. We all have our definitions of beauty, but if I’m committing to this man, I have to like the look of him.”
He wiggled his brows and she rolled her eyes. “And,” she continued. “He’d have to be loyal. That said, I’ve never met the perfect man, and I doubt I ever will.”
“Twist the knife, why don’t you.” The woman could be brutal. “Sydney, don’t you get it, baby? You just described me. Loyal, handsome, wealthy.” Hell, he must be desperate to play the money card. He never did that.
“You said you were a small fish, remember?”
“Yeah, but in such a small pond like Augusta, I’m really huge. All over.” He gave her a rakish smile that thankfully sparked one out of her. “I’m financially stable, own my own home, and know the difference between a Pinot Noir and a Cabernet.” Thanks to some quick tutoring from Dylan. “Sure I had a few girlfriends, but I never cheated on any of them. Loyalty’s big with me. And I know what love is, because I grew up with two people so in love it made every relationship pale next to that. Until I met you.”
Her eyes were wide, and he thought he might have finally gotten to her. “Oh wow. That was actually beautiful. Are you Derrick, or am I talking to Dylan?”
“Smart ass.”
She smirked.
He paused, then said, “So you know, I don’t expect you to say it back right away. I figure you’ll say it when you’re ready.”
“Say what?”
“That you love me. I mean, we both know you do, but it’s natural to be scared of such an intense emotion.”
The woman looked hunted. Perfect. If she hadn’t cared, she’d have dismissed him with one of thoseOh?’sthat annoyed him.
“You— You’re— I don’t… You’re crazy.”
“And that’s why you love me.”
She glared.
He grinned. “Now eat your breakfast. We’ve got a busy day ahead of us.”
“I have things to do.”
“I know. Hailey told me. We have to get ready for your mom’s visit.”
She blinked. “Huh?”
“Your mom. Hailey told me she’s coming to visit. What do we need to do?”
