She knew he wasn’t being insulting.Allie couldn’t say she was thin, but she wasn’t big either.She didn’t believe in starving herself.If she was hungry, she ate.She only had one life to live, and she didn’t want to go without food just to live up to some unattainable body image.“I have a high metabolism.How did you know what I was going to order?”
“You told me on one of our phone conversations that your favorite food is Chinese and you’re a creature of habit.”
Huh.He did pay attention.That conversation had come up at the beginning of the week.She would say, he was a far different man than the one she’d met a week ago on their blind date.
“So why are you hiding behind your menu?”
He wasn’t letting this go.Allie wasn’t versed in lies, so she opted for the truth.“I know you said to let it go, but I want to know why your scars bother you so much.Is it a vanity thing or because of the memories?I’m just trying to understand you, but you don’t want to talk about it, so I’m trying to distract myself.”
“My scars aren’t something I talk about.”
The way he said it was so final.She knew when to retreat on a subject and move on.Maybe if they got to know one another better, he’dopen up more.
Allie set down her menu since her guise to use it was over.“So, what exactly do you do now?Are you a spy or something?”She wagged her eyebrows.
“Why would you think that?”he asked, getting a weary look in his eyes.
“It’s a joke.You said you work for the government but won’t say what you do.It makes it sound mysterious.I didn’t mean anything by it.”Geez, talk about sensitive.
“I just don’t like talking about it.I got out of the service three years ago and got this job with the government on the civilian side of things.”
“Well, it can’t be clerical.”She wouldn’t believe that for a second.
“Why’s that?”There was a defensive look again.She didn’t know why he was getting so uptight talking about work.
“I just can’t see you sitting behind a desk for eight hours a day filling out a TPS report and protecting your red stapler.”
Carson barked with laughter getting herOffice Spacereference.“Who says I’m the one protecting it?I could be the boss confiscating it.”
“Touché.So, are you going to appease my curiously or keep me guessing what you do for a living?”
Carson folded his hands on top of the table.“Well, I hate to burst your bubble, but I do clerical work now.Not so glamourous and not much to talk about.”
She could see the reason now.To go from Navy SEAL to a paper pusher, that had to be a blow to the ego.“I set up meetings for Sandy to close deals on.My job isn’t very glamorous either.”
“Don’t sell yourself short.Sandy couldn’t do her job if it wasn’t for you.She may be a fast talker, but she doesn’t know how to find clients like you would.Plus, you need her cut-throat attitude to sell productsnot help find them.”
Allie laughed.“True, she’d yell at them and tell them they didn’t have a choice but to set up a meeting or else.”
“See, you both have vital roles.”
“As I’m sure you do.You may not think it’s important, and compared to what you did before is a major downgrade, but it doesn’t make what you do any less important.”
“Thanks,”
“Any time.”
“Is that part of your sales charm?”
“No that’s just me being honest.Okay, maybe a little of my charm, but mostly honesty.”“Well, you have me convinced.”
Alright, next topic then.“Why did you get out of the military?”Once again, Carson’s demeanor changed, and his body tensed.What had she said wrong this time?The man went up and down more than a roller coaster.
“Why are you so intrigued by my military life?”
Allie shrugged her shoulders.“I’m just curious about you.You won’t talk about your current secret government work.I already know about your hobbies, but I know nothing about the old Carson.”
“Old Carson?”His lip twitched like he was trying to suppress a smile.Which was a shame.He had a beautiful smile.
