She intended it to be a joke.It felt like a joke, all the way down to her bones.
But he didn’t take it like one.
He explained, automatically. “The group leader introduced you.”
“I don’t remember that at all.”
“You were pretty busy with the coffee.”
“Well, that makes sense. Pretty sure that stuff has the ability to deaden senses.”
“I knowIwent briefly blind and deaf after drinking it.”
“You know, you aremuchfunnier than I thought you would be.”
He gave her a hint of reaction, to that. A slight widening of the eyes, as if the idea surprised or startled him. And then even better—he spoke in a tone that sounded almost sheepish.“I was just going with your bit.”
“Yeah you can only blame your conversational skills on me for so long before that house of cards starts to collapse. May as well just confess now: you actually love chatting.”
“You got me. In fact, it’s my second favorite thing right after drilling rusty nails into my eyeballs.”
“My goodness, was that you being funny,again? That’s twice in under five minutes.”
“It doesn’t count if you actually mean it.”
“Better go get my nail gun, then.”
“Would you?”
“Sure. Right after you stop all the constant talking you’re doing.”
The corner of his mouth turned up, and this time, it wasn’t amusement. Itwas pure rue—though, somehow, it was just as delicious on him. More delicious, in fact. It made his black eyes glitter, and when he spoke it fair near sang in his usually so restrained voice. “I’m thinking of being silent now just out of spite.”
“Yeah, you should definitely get on that.”
“Any second now. Just complete quiet.”
“Ready when you are, chief.”
“No words at all.”
“None. Zero. Zip.”
He ruled a line under his words with one hand.
But the silence had barely spun out for more than ten seconds when he rolled his eyes to the ceiling and sighed,“Goddamn it. Literally, all I can think about is all the things I should have said and now can’t, because I swore undying silence on pain of rusty nails.”
“Well, you might as well say them now. I mean, that last sentence well and truly blew your vow.”
“I know. Though, to be honest, I don’t even know where this stuff is coming from.”
“It’s all my fault, remember. First, I demand you answer my questions. Then I want free tips. Now I’m making you say words against your will. You should really get out of here before I chain you to bed and make you write romance novels for me.”
“I’d be afraid of you doing aMisery, if any of that was the way those things happened.”
Now it was her turn to roll her eyes. “Oh come on, Itotallydemanded and made you.”
“Sure you did. If bydemandedandmadeyou mean fell all over yourself to avoid bothering me.”
