He grunted. “I am.”
I turned to face him, sliding my knees toward my chest and making myself very comfortable in the slatted chair. I probably wouldn’t have been as relaxed around him without the wine, but now I was curious. I couldn’t help but meddle.
“No, really!What’s with the attitude?”
“Attitude?”He swiveled in his chair so he could face me too.
I rolled my eyes. “Come on, I’m a mom! I can hear attitude a mile away.”
The floodlight revealed a small smile playing on his lips.“Ack!Fine.I’ll share my deepest, darkest secrets.”
I laughed again, “You hate your day job. That’s hardly a secret.”
“From the woman that stays home all day.You basically live a life of leisure.”
My mouth dropped open. I could not believe he just said that! “I can’t believe you just said that!”
He tossed his head back and laughed. “I’m kidding,” he promised. “And besides, you started it!”
“Oh, my god.You’re as bad as my children.”
“No, not that bad!I have wine, remember?”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.Now spill your guts, Tyler. I have to go to bed soon.” I ignored the flush of disappointment I felt for needing to end our evening. I really did have to get to bed. I just didn’t expect to enjoy Ben this much.
“Do you know that I rarely get to court? Most of my job entails paperwork and settlements. I imagined something more…Law and Orderwhen I signed up.”
“Hmm.”I looked down at the little bit of wine left in my glass. I swirled it around and bit back my objection. Ben’s words sounded like deflection and not even a little bit like truth. But I would let this go for now. We barely knew each other. It wasn’t my place to dig around in his life.
“We should do this again.”
I looked up at his suggestion and didn’t know what to say. “Sure. We should do this again… sometime.”
“It will have to be tomorrow night.”
I laughed, surprised by his enthusiasm. “Why’s that?”
“I have a date Friday.”
“Oooh, a date.Who is the lucky lady?”
“Friend of a friend.It’s only the second date.”
“So you’re nervous? I mean, obviously.” I plopped my chin into my hand and got a little more comfortable.
He shook his head at me like he couldn’t quite figure me out. “Why would I be nervous?”
“Because you want to impress her!”
“Why wouldn’t she be impressed with me?”
What a guy thing to say. “I honestly have no idea.”
He smiled at my sarcastic tone. “Should I be nervous?”
“Just don’t offer her Pop-Tarts.”
“Noted.”
