Shaun watched her, observing her obsession with the wine. “No fun. You girls got someone to take care of it?”
Her gaze snapped to his, and he knew that look.
He’d said something wrong.
Winter’s chilly demeanor became colder than her name. “We’re notgirls. We’re women. And we are just fine, thank you very much.”
She shifted in the seat like she was ready to get up and leave and her posture stiffened as she picked up her purse.
Shaun gritted his teeth and sighed.
He knew how women were. He’d always seemed to find the best way to piss them off without even trying.
He had a moment here.
One second to either let Winter Duncan leave because obviously, the woman was not going to be an easy one.
Or to try and correct his mistake.
Was she worth the effort?
His voice decided before his brain caught up. “I only asked because I hoped all you ladies over there had a trustworthy plumber to take care of the problem. If you didn’t, I know a couple of good companies to call.”
Her posture relaxed. “Thank you for that, but we got it sorted.”
She didn’t leave.
He didn’t want her to go.
Battle won. Sort of.
The war of the sexes, between the two of them, however, was not anywhere close to over.
Silence spread between the two of them.
Not a comfortable one, either.
He was nervous. She seemed irritated.
“I’m sorry,” he said. The white flag waved.
She stared at him, those penetrating dark eyes of hers feeling like needles in his skin. “For?”
“Forcing you to have dinner with me.”
She raised her eyebrow. “No one forced me to walk in the door. I didn’t have to come.”
His turn to relax. “True. Honestly, I didn’t expect you to show up.”
She smiled. A sincere one. But just for a second.
He might be getting some footing after all with her.
Winter brushed a strand of her dark hair out of her face. “I wasn’t sure I would. In fact, you should thank Audra. She encouraged me to come.”
He paused, trying to think which woman at the salon was Audra. Not that he could put a face to the name.
“Brunette, longish hair,” Winter said, hand on her shoulder. “At least, her hair’s brown this month.”
