"Sure," I said, pleasantly surprised by his enthusiasm. If it was anyone else, I'd think they were poking fun at my belly, but Daemen didn't have that kind of malicious energy. It was like he didn't notice it—either that, or he actuallylikedit, but that was far-fetched. No way a model-slash-doctor like Daemen would be physically attracted to a chubby coder of all people.
As the server brought over a huge drool-worthy tray of freshly baked cookies, two of each flavor, Daemen lit up. He looked so eager that I smiled.
"I didn't think a doctor would recommend the intake of this many cookies," I said.
"Oh, sweets are all I eat," Daemen said, grabbing a ginger molasses cookie. "Can't stand vegetables. Ugh."
I let out a half-choking, half-laughing sound. "Wait, seriously? You're kidding."
"Not at all."
"There's no way you only eat sweets and still look like that. Are you even human?" I teased.
Daemen smiled as he finished off his cookie. "You might be surprised. But of course, I don't recommend this diet to my patients."
I looked down at my tummy. "Yeah, I can see why."
Though I was playing it off as a self-deprecating joke, Daemen frowned. "You're gorgeous, Miguel."
He said it with such deadpan seriousness that I really thought he was joking. I laughed, then realized he meant it. Something fluttered in my chest—the first inkling of a big fat crush.
Suddenly frantic to change the subject lest my cheeks be set on fire, I blurted out, "So tell me about yourself, Daemen."
Was it a cheesy line? Yes. Did I care? No. Because I couldn't think about this sexy doctor calling me gorgeous for a second longer.
Daemen's frown turned back into a smile. "Not much to say, I'm afraid. I'm honestly rather boring. I work, I eat, repeat..."
"No sleeping? I guess doctors have to be on call."
Daemen had a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "Icansleep, but I prefer not to."
I nodded. "I get that. Sometimes I get so enraptured in my code that I can't sleep until I get it done. I'll work on it all night then realize the sun came up."
He leaned in, eyes on me. "Fascinating. You must show me this code of yours sometime."
I grinned sheepishly. "Well, it probably won't make any sense, but yeah, I can show you."
This delighted Daemen, which amused me. Never did I think a man so much more talented and attractive than me would be interested inmyline of work, especially after being bullied for being a nerd all my life.
"Enough about me," Daemen said. "Tell me about yourself. And eat a cookie."
I accepted the double chocolate chunk he offered me and took a bite. The gooey chocolate chunks melted in my mouth.
"I dunno what to say. I'm a programmer. Uh..." I wracked my brain for interesting things about myself. "Honestly, the most 'interesting' thing that's happened to me lately was getting stood up on a date and then ending up in the hospital."
Something like fury flashed across Daemen's cutting eyes.
"You werestood up?" he growled.
His demeanor changed, like an invisible aura blazed around him. It would've been frightening if not for the fact that it was directed at Paul, not me. Actually, it was kind of flattering that Daemen was pissed off for my sake.
"Yeah. It's kind of an embarrassing story. Long story short, my sister's wedding is coming up and I know if I don't bring a date, my whole family will nag me to death. So I tried finding a date on this app, but it didn't end up working. On account of, uh, getting stood up. And then I slipped on ice and that's how I met you."
I ended my tale with an awkward chuckle but Daemen wasn't laughing. He seemed to be thinking hard, concentrating deeply on something. He leaned his elbows on the table with a serious yet sly expression.
"You say your family will nag you about not having a date?" he asked.
I grimaced, taking a somber bite of cookie. "Yeah. They think I'm too old to be single. Especially since my younger sister's getting married and here I am, alone with no prospects."
