Page 41 of Matchmaking On The Menu

I huff a quiet laugh. “Someone once told me I notice.”

One eyebrow lifts. “That so?”

Damn it. This guy isn’t going to give me anything. I need to be subtler.

“Yup.” I shrug one shoulder. ”I like people-watching.”

“People-watching?”

“Sure. You can learn a lot about someone if you pay attention.”

His gaze settles on me. “Can you?”

“Sometimes.”

His hand moves slightly at my waist as we turn, the movement grounding in a way that’s starting to feel sweetly familiar.

“What kinds of things?” he asks.

That question is so similar to the one diner guy had asked me.

I glance up at him, looking for any sign of recognition, but his expression remains frustratingly unreadable.

I hesitate, because saying it out loud feels bigger than it should. “The things that matter,” I say finally.

His eyes don’t leave mine.

“Like what?” he asks, his voice softer now. “What do you see when you look at someone?”

I swallow. “Things they don’t mean to show. The cracks. The way they look at people when they think no one’s watching. The things they care about. The things they’re trying to hide.”

He’s silent for a long moment.

“And me?” he asks.

The question catches me off guard.

“What do you see when you look at me?”

“I see a man who’s very good at keeping people at arm’s length.” I smile. “I think you’re carrying something heavy. Not because you want to, but because you don’t know how to put it down.“

He looks uncomfortable. I shouldn’t have gotten so deep, so I pivot.

“Now your turn. Care to share why you think you used to be good at it? Past tense?”

So much for giving him space.

“No.”

The answer slides right under my skin. Because that’s the thing, isn’t it? There is always a story. People constantly tell on themselves if you know where to look. In their pauses. In their word choices. In the things they refuse to answer. Another thing familiar to the diner Mystery Man.

I blink up at him. “Well, that’s rude.”

“It’s honest.”

“You’re making that a habit tonight.”

“I’m trying something new.”