She made a face.
“Eat it, woman,” he growled.
She blinked at him. “Fine, hardass.” She took a bite, chewed, and shrugged. “Not bad. But it’s not as sophisticate as my palate.”
“Yeah, right. You probably think wine with a screw top is fancy.”
“It is.”
“Well, that’s true. I mean, wine is for those who can’t stomach a good beer.”
She nodded. “See?”
He laughed. “Okay, Ms. I Want a Bad Boy. More questions for you.”
“Can I at least eat during this interrogation?”
“I don’t have that kind of time. The playoffs are in April of next year.”
She flipped him off.
He covered his heart with his hand. “I’ll treasure that love, snookums.”
She choked while sipping her drink.
“If beer comes out of your nose, that’s a clear sign I win this conversation.”
She shook her head, muttering under her breath. But the smile on her beautiful lips told him that beer or no beer, he was pulling ahead in the race. Now he just had to keep her enchanted with his sterling wit.
Somehow.
He ate three slices, trying to think of how to sound clever and keep her engaged at the same time. Then he realized she was staring at him. “What?” Did he have basil in his teeth?
Her eyes were wide. “You eat a lot. And fast.”
He sighed. “It’s my sister’s fault. She used to hog dinner, always leaving me hungry. Now I compensate by eating like a pig.”
“Tell me about your sister.”
Fortunately, she ignored his comment about eating like pig. Her interest told him he hadn’t ruined anything yet. He could work with that.
“Grace is a major in the Marine Corps. She’s about your height, maybe a little taller. And she’s mean. In a good way but annoying too. She never lets me forget I’m her little brother.”
Marlie laughed. “Kind of like Steve. He and I are the youngest. Ed is two years older than us, and Will’s four years older. Steve was born two minutes before me and likes to pretend being twins doesn’t count, that he’s technically not the baby. Of course, I’m the only Reynolds girl, and my brothers are pretty protective.”
“I know. Will gave me the third degree at the party.”
She froze. “He did?”
“Yep. But I told him you started it, so it wasn’t my fault.”
“Wait. What?”
He couldn’t help laughing at her horrified expression. “I’m kidding. I told him I liked you because you were pretty and tough. No. I said hot and tough. And that you’re a grown woman who could make her own decisions. That he should back off. So he did. I think.”
“Oh. That’s, ah, good.” Her pink cheeks charmed him.
“Mad Marlie, are you blushing?”
