She then mutters something about Crocodile Dundee, all while grabbing two large bowls and forks and spoons. I'm glad she hasn't opted for chopsticks because I always end up wearing my dinner when I try to wrangle those.
And while I might not stand a chance with Kelly, I don't want to appear the fool in front of her, either. It's obvious she already thinks I'm a hick, and I guess I am compared to the city types she'd be used to dating.
Dating? Yeah, in your dreams, bro.
That goal out of the way, my appetite returns with a vengeance. A loud rumble from my stomach is enough to have me taking the aluminum containers out of the plastic bag and removing their lids.
Rather than carry everything over to the table in the dining nook and have oil and sauce go everywhere, we serve up at the counter.
My first mouthful of green chicken curry, and I'm regretting my decision not to bring beers. Mild my ass.
Likewise, Kelly is busy fanning her mouth, beads of perspiration further drawing my attention to her lush lips. Rather than stay seated, she jumps up, but instead of getting us glasses of water as I've expected, she opens the fridge.
A moment later and she passes me an opened bottle of beer, her hand brushing against mine, with a jolt of electricity passing between us.
Not bothering to clink my beer against hers, I draw on it, welcoming the cooling benefits of the drink both on my mouth and my libido. I've drained half the beer before I put it down next to my bowl, my hands shaking with the effort of keeping them to myself.
While I might say, "Sorry, I asked for mild," there's nothing mild about my attraction to Kelly. I suspect I'm not alone in this. When her gaze locks with mine, her pupils dilate, giving her eyes a dark intensity.
It's one that hints at depths as fiery as anything the Thai Palace have on their menu. However, the next time I glance up, it's as if I'm sitting opposite a different woman, one who doesn't find me attractive in the least.
It's because of this, that I keep to neutral topics, like the renovation. Much as I want to get to know Kelly 'better', she's a spikey one. If I push it, she'll send me packing.
The only thing that doesn't cool off is the curry, with us on our second beer apiece before we finish. I've gotta admit to having quite the buzz after having drunk them, one after the other.
It's no wonder Tyler and the other guys call me a lightweight in that department.
"Now, what was it you wanted my opinion on?" While images of her in a body-con dress crowd my mind, I doubt this is what she wants my help with.
It takes a second for her to work out what I'm talking about. When she does, she's on her feet as fast as she had been when in search of beer.
"Come on through to my office." She's then off without waiting for me to follow.
On walking into her office, and seeing what she's been working on, there's nothing I can do to stop my laughter. Not at her design, but the content.
"Oh, that's brilliant!"
"You get it?"
I'm busy nodding before I voice my confirmation. "Are you kidding? Of course, I get it and it's funny as hell. Jeez, I'd be tempted to buy their dog roll, and I don't even own a dog!"
It's at this point I'm rewarded by Kelly smiling at me.
And then I have to ruin it all by winking at her. I hadn't meant to, but I'm like Pavlov's dog when women give me even the slightest encouragement.
Twenty seconds later and I'm on my way to my truck, all while kicking myself.
