The server nodded. “Not as great as you, but yeah. He’s hanging in there.”
Damon chuckled. “I’ll tell him you said that.”
“Oh, uh, don’t do that. Well, I mean. Sure, but…” The guy laughed, blushing fire engine-red. “I gotta place your order.” He rushed away.
“Does that get old? Getting recognized?” She’d never really thought about it, but she supposed a pro athlete would be bombarded with people wanting his time when out in public.
Hope’s Turn wasn’t like most places, though. They had their share of scattered celebrities who didn’t raise too many eyebrows. Now if they’d had important ballers, like from the NBA or WNBA teams, Marlie would have understood the fascination for fame.
“You know, when I first went pro, it was a kick. I enjoyed it. Not being famous but feeling kind of important. Now?” He gave her a wide smile. “It’s still cool.”
“What about people who hate you?”
He laughed. “Marlie, I’m a hated kind of guy. Doesn’t bother me.”
“Huh. You seem almost nice.” Again, that image of him holding stray cats and kittens hit her.
His grin left him, and she swore a killer stared at her from those light gray eyes.
Hot. Want.
Then he smiled again. “I’m told I have resting psycho-face.”
“You totally do.” Crap. She sounded breathless. She coughed and took a large swig of water.
“Okay, I have to know. Why did you agree to go out with me? Did I wear you down? Or are you finally realizing you fell in love at first sight?” He leaned forward, placing his hand in his chin, his elbow propped on the table.
Speechless, she just stared. “Love at first sight?” She burst into laughter.
He didn’t smile back.
“Oh, wait. You’re serious?”
CHAPTER 12
Oh my God. Relax, stupid. Damon forced a laugh. “Please. No one believes in that schmaltzy love-at-first-sight stuff.” Except for me, because you are killing me, Marlie. “It was a joke.”
She relaxed. “You really do have resting psycho-face.”
“It’s both a blessing and a curse.”
“Oh?”
“Well, a curse because it can intimidate people. But it’s also a blessing because it keeps most morons from causing trouble. Some people think they need to prove something by fighting a big guy. But I give them ‘the look’ and they rethink their decision.”
“Ah. Makes sense.”
“You didn’t answer my question. Why agree to date me?”
“Date as in one date,” she seemed happy enough to remind him. “A reason? Pity, I guess.”
He guffawed. “I’ll take what I can get.”
She grinned, so damn pretty she took his breath away. It wasn’t just her looks, though he had no complaint there. Marlie sparkled with vitality, humor, and a persistent naughtiness just under the surface.
“You’re a pretty funny guy. I like that.”
“Yeah? What else do you like?”
