“It’snothinglike that,” I said, “and that’scruel.”
“My sister said the same thing until she had a newborn. Now she swears byit.”
“You guys are twins,right?”
“Yep.” Sebastian knotted the leash and stood. “So, what do yousay?”
“I’m pretty sure the shelter would have your head if you left Opal unaccompanied,” Isaid.
“She’s not, though. She’s with Bruno.” He grinned. “Fine. How about if I bring the bar to you? What’s the maritime equivalent to a lemondrop?”
“I . . .” I cleared my throat. “I have a confession tomake.”
He arched a dark brow. “You’re not really a baseballfan.”
“No—”
“Youdoshower with otherwomen.”
I swatted his arm, and Opal whined. “No.”
“Hmm.” Sebastian pinched his chin, dropping only his eyes to me. “You hate lemondrops?”
“How’d you know?” Iexclaimed.
“Call it an inkling. Why’d you order one at happy hourthen?”
“The truth?” I nudged the toe of my boot into the grass. “Everyone was looking at me, and Iblanked.”
“Who would’ve ever suspected George Keller might be susceptible to stage fright?” He laughed. “So what’s yourpoison?”
“Guinness,” I said, “but I don’t suppose they’ve got that on theboat.”
He looked impressed as he got out his wallet. “Nice poison. Is it the Irish inyou?”
I nodded, going for my purse. “My dad’s side of thefamily.”
“How about yourmom?”
“Italian. It can get heated in our house when both families visit for theholidays.”
“Sounds nice.” He smiled to himself as if lost in a memory. “I take it your parents are stilltogether.”
“Twenty-seven years nextspring.”
He closed one eye, pretending to count. “Either you’re younger than I thought,or. . .”
“They had me out of wedlock. Both sides of the family are Catholic, so their outrage united them against my parents.” I grinned. “It made everyone closer, so it worked out pretty well. Are your parents stillmarried?”
“Never were in the first place,” he said, eyeing my wallet. “Put your moneyaway.”
“I want to get the drinks,” I said, unzipping it. “You already picked up two of mycoffees.”
“Don’t bother.” He covered my hand with his to stop me, and the suddenness of it made me freeze. I hoped he didn’t notice the way the hairs on my arm rose from his touch. “I took petty cash from the office since the date is research,” he said, taking his hand back to tug at his collar. “So, whatever I spend now comes out of your share ofdinner.”
I couldn’t help a small laugh. “Won’t it be awkward for you to eat while your hungry datewatches?”
“Good point.” He smirked. “Nothing worse than feeling awkward on the firstdate.”
