“You’re not; I’m offering.”
“Thank you.”She wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth.She needed lessons, and who better to teach her than a former army combatant?
“You’re welcome.”He leaned down to take another bite of his sandwich before his head popped back up.“Oh, I should probably ask, are you dating anyone?”
“Why?”That was an odd question to ask now.What did it even matter?He wasn’t planning on getting too friendly with lessons, was he?She wasn’t sure how she felt about that.
Rob’s cheeks warmed.He got so uncomfortable with direct questions.It was adorable, though she would never say that out loud; he might take offense.“I just realized after I asked you out and now offering to hang out more, there is a strong possibility you might be spoken for, and I should make sure before proceeding further.”
“You ask me that now?After the fact that you asked me out to lunch and offered to give me defense lessons?And if I’m seeing someone?”she questioned, not waiting for his response.“Would you retract your offer to help me if I was?”Not that she was seeing anyone, but she was curious what his answer would be.
“No,” he rushed out to answer.“But I don’t want someone getting jealous we’re spending time together and such.As the saying goes, ‘forewarned is forearmed.’”
“No, I’m not seeing anyone.”June leaned down to take a bite of her sandwich, but not before she caught his look of relief.Whether that was because he was interested in her or he wouldn’t have to deal with a boyfriend, she didn’t know.
It was then she realized that she knew nothing about him other than he was once in the army and a good fighter.
“Do you have a girlfriend, Rob?”she asked hesitantly.June had never seen him come into the clinic with anyone, but that didn’t mean anything.Her gaze fell to his left hand.His ring finger was empty, but again that could mean nothing.Some men didn’t wear wedding rings or hid them.
“No.”
“Wife?Boyfriend?”June didn’t think he was gay, but it never hurt to ask.
“No and no.Do I need to ask if there is a girlfriend in your life?”he inquired with a mock raised eyebrow.
“No.”She chuckled and took another bite of her sandwich as she thought of more questions to ask him.June wanted to know more about him but didn’t want to bombard him with a million questions at once.
“How old are you?”
June realized they didn’t know the most basic information about each other.No time like the present to learn.“Don’t you know you’re never supposed to ask a woman her age?”
“I could guess.”He grinned, knowing she wouldn’t like that at all.
June gaped at him in horror.“No, that’s even worse.”
“So then just tell me.I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours?”
“What is this, grade school?”June took a sip of her soda before blurting out, “Twenty-nine.”
“I’m thirty-four.”
“Old man.”He wasn’t all that old.She knew he was older than her but not by much.
“Ouch.”He clutched his heart in mock pain.“It’s not that old.”
“No, I’m just teasing.So, you said you can’t talk about what you used to do in the military, what do you do now?”
“What’s with all the questions?”he asked, sounding defensive.
“Well, I know nothing about you.If we are going to be spending time together, I feel I should know more than your name and that you used to be in the army and that you’re thirty-four.I mean, how do I know you’re not just pretending to be a nice guy to lure me into your home and plan to wear my skin or something?”
She expected Rob to look at her as if she had just sprouted a second head and start talking in Latin.Not many people appreciated her oddball sense of humor.It had been a far-fetched theory, and she didn’t really think that about him.He didn’t give off serial killer vibes, but then again, she was sure serial killers didn’t either or they’d never have victims.
Rob sat back in his seat and seemed to look her over.“I could use another coat, but since you’re already on to my ploy, it will never work.I guess I’ll have to find myself another victim.One less suspecting.”
“Well, now I’m on to you, so I could just turn you in.”
Rob threw his hands up in mock anger.“I guess I’ll just have to add you to the bone yard in my backyard to silence you.”
