"Not even a spork." He nodded as he spoke. "What were you planning to do with that piano stool? Back at your apartment, you wielded a piano stool at Woody."
"Oh." My face heated a little more. "It was the only thing I had close to me. I figured he'd find it harder to get to me if I had something like that in front of me. It's ridiculous, I know."
"It's not ridiculous." He was firm on that. "Have you had self-defense classes?"
"I took a couple in college." Between classes and movie marathons with Savannah and some other friends. "Let me guess, you're about to recommend someone."
"As it happens," he smiled. "I know a woman who specializes in teaching other women to take care of themselves. I'd recommend her to every woman." He exhaled deeply as he finished speaking. His brow creased, eyes narrowed, as if he was frustrated.
"What is it?" I asked.
"I'd like if we lived in a world where women don't have to take self-defense classes to save themselves from men," he said bluntly. "Since we don't live in that world, it's a good idea to learn the skills."
"I suppose it is," I said. He was right, we shouldn't have to be vigilant all the time. On guard because a man felt the need to overstep. Where was that spork when I needed it?
"At this rate, I won't have time to go back to school. I'll be too busy doing therapy and self-defense classes."
Honestly, though, both gave me something to look forward to. It was past time I dug myself out of my rut of self-pity. Wolfgang was gone. He was dead. I wasn't. It was time I started to live.
The server brought our first course after that, and we fell into silence while we ate.
Every so often I glanced up at him, to see him watching me, speculation in his eyes.
I wanted to ask what he was thinking, but I suspected I might not like the answer.
CHAPTER 7
SABLE
"And then she said," I said between fits of giggles, "'if you don't like peanut butter, maybe you should try the honey.’"
Forrest laughed. "Is any of that story true?"
I sniffed at him and took a sip of wine. "All of it is. Are you casting aspersions on my anecdote?"
"I wouldn't dare," he said with a smile. "But who doesn't like peanut butter? Aside from people who are allergic to peanuts."
"You're not, are you?" I asked. "Allergic to peanuts, I mean."
"Luckily for me, no. Just lavender."
"That sucks." I rested my head on my hand. "Lavender smells so good."
"Not as good as you smell," he said, toasting me with his wine before downing the last of it.
"I don't know about that." I managed to stop myself from sniffing my armpit. That wouldn't be a good look for a first date, especially when things were going so well.
He waved at the server. "I'll fix this up and we can get out of here," he said.
"I'm paying my way," I said firmly.
He looked like he might argue with me, but then he nodded. "As you wish."
I squinted at him.
He squinted back. "What?"
"That's the second time tonight someone's tried to remind me of that movie," I said. "Don't tell me, you and Woody had aPrincess Brideviewing recently."
