“Let’s start.” He took the last bite of his sandwich and washed it down with his water.
Her soup had been excellent. She scraped the bowl, then began with some of the simple greetings and conversational language. He picked them up quickly, but constantly asked if there was a trick to remembering some.
When the waitress dropped off the bill, Carli looked around the still busy place. Only a few tables were empty.
“Are you sure we should stay here? They might want to get more people in.”
Blake’s gaze roamed the room and met with his friend, Aaron, who tipped his head up and smiled.
“We’re fine here. It usually starts thinning out now, anyway. If Aaron needs the table, he’ll let us know.”
“Okay.” She showed him more common words and phrases and made sure to tell him any tricks for remembering the word. He kept asking her to fix the position of his fingers and hands.
“How do you say pretty?”
Fanning her hand over her nose, she said, “It also means beautiful. Signs are used for themeaningof words and not necessarily the exact word itself, so beautiful and pretty have the same sign.”
“This?” His hand waved in front of his face, so Carli took it and adjusted his fingers.
“Move one finger in at a time starting with the pinky until all your fingers are touching. Like a fan closing.”
You’re beautiful.
“Good. Just make sure to keep your fingers loose as they move.”
You’re beautiful.
“Much better.”
Blake did the phrase again and again. Was he trying to tell her something? The heat that crawled up her face bled into her cheeks.
You’re pretty hot yourself, cowboy,she signed. She’d never say that verbally.
Blinking, Blake tilted his head. “What did you say?”
“That’s for me to know and you to find out.” Yes, she’d pulled out the adolescent girl inside her. Way to make a guy run and fast.
“Sign language is great when you’re out with friends,” she rushed on, hoping to distract him from the stupid thing she’d just said. “Like when you’re across a room and you want to tell someone to come save you from a guy who’s either boring you to death or won’t keep his hands to himself. And I don’t mean he’s signing too much.”
“Have you had that happen a lot?” His mouth tightened in a scowl.
“Not really. I always make sure to go out with a group. Now, let’s review some of what we learned.”
Blake’s expression turned serious though his eyes still sparkled with mischief. He began with the alphabet and worked his way through. Occasionally, she had to stop him and adjust his fingers to the right shape.
“No, bend your hand this way for the P. It has to be down.”
“Like this?” This time he bent his hand to the side.
“I think you’re making these mistakes on purpose.”
“Of course, I am.”
Her gaze flew up to his smirking face. Seriously? No way someone like him was feeling the same tingles that she was every time they touched. Had to be a simple case of flirting.
As her face heated yet again, she reached for her coat. “I should be going. I don’t want to miss the next train.” Not that she had any idea what time it was or how long she’d have to wait but being with Blake messed with her mind. It had been too fun teaching him to sign. Did he think he was an expert now after only a few hours? Would he want to continue lessons?
After helping her with her coat, his hands lingered on her shoulders. That irresistible Blake scent wafted her way again. His breath tickled her ear. “I’ll give you a ride home. It’s my fault you’re later than usual.”
