“One that I live by.”
I hold back my chuckle as we continue to walk down the street, this time taking a different route that will take us down by the water.
“Oh, different route today.” Nervously he laughs. “Hope this doesn’t mean you’re about to murder me or something.”
“Why is that the first thing that comes to your mind?”
“You’re telling me it wouldn’t be the first thing that came to your mind as a single lady walking with a man she barely knows down an unknown trail? You wouldn’t automatically assume, oh, this is how murder happens?”
“I would,” I answer. “But you’re significantly bigger than me and could overpower me with your index finger…I’m assuming.”
“Uh, Gossy, are you saying in a roundabout, flirtatious way that I’m…muscular?”
“No.”
“I think you are. It’s okay to admit it. You saw last night just how powerful I am, especially when I get my hips into it. But for your sake, I won’t make a big deal about it.”
“You’re making a big deal about it now.”
“Ah-ha,” he says, pointing at me. “So itistrue—you think I have a muscular frame.”
I drag my hand over my face. “Why did I agree to these walks?”
“Because I financed your store, remember? By the way, are you starting on the floors today?”
“I am. I’m going to start sanding them.”
“Are you replacing them?”
I glance at him. “No, I just said I’m sanding them.”
“Yeah, no idea what that even remotely means.”
“Are you serious?”
“I think it’s best that you know, whenever you talk to me about home improvement and renovations, you should keep this in the back of your mind: I’ve never held a tool in my life.”
That makes me stop in shock. “Are you serious? Not even a hammer or a screwdriver?”
He shakes his head. “No, I haven’t needed to.”
“Didn’t you do something like shop class in school?”
“In private school with a bunch of wealthy arseholes? No.”
“So you have no concept of working with your hands?”
He smirks. “I mean, I’ve done a lot of great things with my hands.”
“Flirting.” I point at him.
“Pervert.” He points back. “I wasn’t talking about sexual things.”
“Uh-huh, then what were you talking about?” I challenge him.
“If you must know, I was talking about doing my hair. You don’t get this effortless look without knowing how to use your hands well.”
I glance at his head and say, “You’re wearing a hat.”
