“Younger Carson,” she amended.He was only three years older than her.He was far from old.“You don’t talk about your younger years.”He didn’t really talk much about himself period.She wasn’t seeking his life secrets to sell them to the highest bidder.She just wanted to know more about him.
“I’m surprised Sandy hasn’t told you everything.”She could tell he was avoiding the subject again, but she wasn’t letting him off the hook this time.He had to give her something.
“Those are her tall tales.I want to hear it straight from the source.An unbiased opinion.”Sandy had been checking in on her every day, asking how things were going with Carson.Allie was still being evasive since things were still too new.She couldn’t say they were dating.This was their first real date.They talked on the phone, but even friends did that.There was no point in putting a label on it.They were just having fun.
“Are you ready to order?”A young female waitress arrived at their table.She didn’t look more than college-age.The girl stared hard at Carson’s scars.Allie knew itwasn’t in fascination but disgust.Like it was too horrific to look away, much like a bad car accident.As much as Carson seemed to hate his scars, he didn’t do anything to hide them.
Not that there was much he could do about it.They ran from his neckup the side of his face.She had seen him without his shirt, so she knew firsthand they ran along the side of his torso and spattered across his chest.His arm had burn marks and deep scar lines as if it had been through many surgeries and never fully healed.
Allie wished she could shield Carson from the cruelty of others.Even by her staring as openly as she was, it was painful for him.Carson stared down at his menu as if he were still debating, but she knew he was avoiding the girl’s gaze.
“Yes, I am,” Allie announced, loudly slapping the menu toward the girl’s mid-section, not waiting to see if she caught it before releasing her grip on it.“I’ll have the sweet and sour pork and a side order of dumplings and crab cheese wonton.”
The girl fumbled to hold onto the menu before tucking it under her arm and writing Allie’s order on a pad.
“What are you having, dear?”Allie smiled sweetly at Carson.His hand rested on the table, and she placed hers over his.Even his hands felt strong.She’d only ever felt the rough callouses on his palm.
He gave her a puzzled look before ordering.The girl scribbled the order down and quickly darted away.Allie pulled her hand away and tucked both her hands in her lap.She could feel a lingering heat from his touch.
“Sorry about that,” she mumbled; she should have made sure it was okay to pretend to be his girlfriend and touch him before she had, but she wanted to show that girl there was nothing wrong with him.That he was handsome and desirable.
“Want to explain?”He didn’t sound irritated but mildly curious.
She shook her head.“How long were you in the Navy for?”
“Eight years,” he answered, settling back in the booth.
“How much of that were you a performing seal?”
His face split into a grin just as she’d hoped her joke would do.“Six.”
“Did you always want to be in the military?”
“I don’t know, did you always want to be an executive director?”
“No.”She chuckled at his absurd question.“I don’t think anyonedreams of that as a kid.Maybe owning their own company, but not a management position.”
“And what did you dream of doing?”
“I don’t remember.”She grabbed her glass of water and took her time taking a sip while looking around the restaurant.It was fairly crowded, full of tourists, no doubt.
“Allie, you’re lying.”
Her eyes fell back to meet his penetrating gaze.She set her glass down, feeling her throat dry up.“How would you know?”
“Performing seals are trained to spot lies.”
“I’ll have to remember that.”She was a terrible liar anyway.Sandy had warned her long ago that she should never play poker.
“I prefer honesty, Allie.”
“As do I.I’m a terrible liar, and I don’t make it a practice of doing it.”
“Then don’t be bashful.Tell me what you wanted to be as a child.If you tell me yours,” he sat back up, leaning across the table, “I’ll tell you mine.”He ended with a mischievous grin.How could she say no to that?
“I wanted to be a horse trainer.”
Carson blinked but didn’t otherwise show any reaction to her dream.“What’s so embarrassing about that?”
