“I don’t think so.”
My jaw drops. “Challenge accepted. You are definitely going to like me by the time this is over. Or at least tolerate me.”
“Do you meanlikeyou, like you?”
“Of course not.” My heart does this strange bird-wing-flapping thing that I strongly disapprove of. “That would be unprofessional.”
She frowns. Does that mean she wants me tolike her, like her?
Sunbeam drops one leg atop the other and bounces her foot. “Don’t you want to know my secret?”
I swipe a hand down my face.All this topic-swapping is going to be the death of me.“Tell me.”
She whispers in my ear, so close that I wish she’d bite me. “You ... are a great kisser.”
My entire body freezes. “Why, did Rowe Wadley just give me a compliment?”
“Don’t get used to it. But you are. I didn’t expect you to use tongue.” She sits back and studies me. “Why’d you do that?”
Oh, shit. This woman. “Um, well, you know—someone kisses you, and ...”
She nods. “It’s instinctual.”
“Unless it’s family.”
“Obviously.”
“That’s disgusting.”
“Oh yeah. Or if it’s flu season.”
I slash the air with my hand. “Let’s be clear: I never would’ve done it if it was January.”
“I never would’ve let you.” She sits back. “How old is your sister?”
“Well, that’s a conversation jump.” I quirk a brow. “Why are you suddenly asking about her? Because if you’re insinuating that I’ve Frenched my sister, then—”
Her eyes flare in fear. “No, no. We were just talking about family and not kissing them. So that’s what brought it to mind.”
“Do you have any siblings?”
She opens her arms wide like she’s giving the room a hug. “No, just my piggycorns.”
Of course that’s her answer. “My sister’s ten.”
“So your mom remarried?”
“Yes, and divorced him, too. My brother and I look over Natalie as much as we can.” I drop my elbows to my knees. “She needs a father in her life.”
Rowe’s silent for a long stretch before replying, “Yeah. We all need a dad.”
“I agree.”
A side door opens and out walks Cristina, mascara running down her face. She’s holding a bag of food.
Rowe pops up. “What’re you doing back there?”
Cristina’s eyes are red and puffy from crying. “Oh, nothing. It’s just ... I ordered some food, and while I was waiting for it, I DD’d.”
