There was a sharp intake of breath. “You really think a lot of yourself, don’t you?”
“It’s nothing you haven’t thought yourself, Peaches.” He spun her again. “Who made the first move?”
“Obviously you.”
“Why obviously?”
“Because of that big ego of yours. It wasn’t even a thought in your mind that I might say no. Next question.”
“Where’d we go on our first date?”
“Burt’s Pizzeria.”
He barely held in the snort. “I would never take a woman there, first date or fiftieth date.”
Burt had the worst pizza in Montana. Hell, probably America. But people in the small town kept him in business because they liked him. And yeah, Becket ate his fair share of bad pizzas to keep the guy going, but never on a date.
She frowned. “Really? I thought cheap and easy was your thing.”
He growled softly and tugged her closer. “For our first date, I took you to Blackbird Kitchen in Bozeman. You ordered the mostarda pizza, I ordered a salsiccia and we shared.”
There was a small gasp from her lips. “How did you know I order the mostarda from Blackbird?”
“I’ve seen the boxes in your trash can and took a guess on the mostarda. That’s a big drive for pizza.”
She pulled back and looked at him closely, but this time, it was like she was trying to work him out. “I’ve gotten to know the owners. Now we choose a halfway point, so their delivery guy drives halfway to me and I drive halfway to them.”
“That’s still quite an effort for pizza.”
“I like pizza. Especially theirs.”
“As your boyfriend, that’s good to know. I’ll add it to the list.”
“List?”
“Pizza. Dogs. Organizing fundraiser events. Those sweet teas that Mrs. Gerald makes.”
“You know that I like sweet tea?”
“You drink it at The Tea House. So does Clara. No idea why, the stuff tastes like sugar water.”
She was still frowning, almost looking as if she was seeing him for the first time.
“One more question,” he said quietly. “Why don’t you have a dog?”
The change in her was immediate. Her body stiffened and her cheeks paled. But it was her eyes thatreallychanged. Any humor or happiness left them, and they almost grew sad.
Suddenly she took a big step back, tugging out of his arms. “Thank you for saving me tonight. Like I said, it wasjustfor tonight…but I’ll keep up my end of the deal. I should go talk to some people from work.”
Then she turned and walked off the dance floor, her spine too rigid.
Why would a question about a dog incite that kind of reaction?
He left the dance floor and joined his brother, who was watching Clara and Aspen dance.
Jesse looked at Becket as he approached. “Tell me there’s something wrong with my eyes and you weren’t just dancing with Sky Williams.”
“Nothing wrong with your eyes, brother. Sky and I have turned a corner.”
