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“And why’s that?”
My mouth pops open and I almost tell him everything about my Mother and her… “habits” before I stop myself. This thing with him, whatever it is, has gotten out of control and I need to rein it back in. The problem is that throwing him out of my house and never seeing him again sounds just as unpleasant as trying to have an actual relationship with him. I take a sip of my wine, savoring the flavor before turning to him.
“I have to say, I wouldn’t have pegged you for a wine guy.”
“Idon’t know much but my stepdad, Jerry, taught me a few things and I kind of wanted to impress this woman who seems intent on avoiding me.”
My cheeks burn and I stare into my glass, my mind at war over everything he says.
“Stepdad?” I ask, curious about who he is underneath all this cockiness and humor.
He nods. “Yep.”
“What happened to your dad?”
“No idea. I’ve never met him.”
“Oh. Sorry.” My mind blanks and I don’t know what else to say to him. His comment seems personal and personal is dangerous. God, what am I thinking asking him a question like that?
“What are you sorry for?”
I shrug, barely able to meet his eyes without imagining his lips against mine. “I didn’t mean to pry.”
“You’re not prying. Ask me anything you want to. I figure once you get to know me a little, you won’t be able to resist me.”
Despite the warning bells ringing in my head, I smile. “Someone’s awfully full of themselves.”
“Or confident.”
I shrug, looking away from him because his gaze calls out to me, urging me to lean into him. “Sounds like the same thing.”
“Yeah, but one makes me a douche and the other makes me endearing.”
I choke on my wine as a laugh bubbles out of me and he grins, grabbing the towel laying next to the sink and offering it to me. I dab my chin before setting it down in front of me and looking up at him.
“Thank you.”
“Not a problem. I like your laugh.”
I turn away from him to hide my blush. When was the last time a guy paid enough attention to even notice my laugh? When was the last time I cared?
“You know, I may not know anything about wine, but I have other talents,” he prompts and I turn back to him, brow arched.
“Such as?”
“I can bake.”
The laugh bubbles out of me before I can stop it and I shake my head. “No, you cannot.”
“Yes, I can.” He laughs and I take a sip of my wine, studying him. Who is this guy?
“Did an ex teach you?”
“Nope. I spent a lot of time with Logan and his grandparents. His grandma was the one that taught us.”
“I’m sorry,” I reply, shaking my head. “I just can’t see it.”
He sets his beer down and looks around the kitchen. “Where’s your pantry? I’ll prove it to you.”
