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“I’ll find a way,” I promised her. “We work a lot, but we don’t work that much. I just needed to know whether you were an opera girl.”
“And I’m guessing you’re an opera guy, then?”
“Not really, but I’ll do anything to romance you and let you know that I’m not fucking around when it comes to dating you.”
“Can I ask you a question about this since I was wrong in my assumption that altitude sickness was causing your relationship determination?”
“Ask me anything,” I said, kicking my feet up on the gas firepit before me.
“Do you think you just want this because I keep turning you down?”
“Why would you ask that?”
“You’ve made it very clear after more than one rejection that you’ve never been turned down. I’m just curious if I’m suddenly some crazy challenge of yours?”
“Nothing like being straightforward,” I laughed. “But no. I don’t think it’s that.”
“The fact that you don’t think it’s that is what concerns me,” she said. “You should probably understand now that I’m not some toy for you to play with.”
“I’m not either,” I said, somewhat irritated she would feel that way.
Silence. Awkward silence this time.
“I promise. No games,” I decided to break the silence. “And I’m saying that because we might’ve started this like a game. So, I understand your reservations.”
“I was serious when I told you I’m not looking for a relationship,” she said. “So, if we’re not playing games, you may be wasting your time.”
I smiled, she may have thought she didn’t want a relationship now, but I did. I knew that. And I always got what I wanted.
“I’ll let you know when I can arrange for us to go to the Bay, and I promise you won’t be disappointed.”
“You are one persistent man,” she said. “Also, I have no idea what my schedule is going to be like and?—”
“I’ll work out the schedules. Trust me. They’ll work with whatever I want.”
“Whatever you want?” I heard the smile on her beautiful lips. “Did skinny Santa teach you nothing about wants versus needs?”
“We’re out of the mountains and back down at sea level. Skinny Santa can’t play games with my mind down here. I’ve got it all figured out now that I’m back in my arena.”
“Nothing like being a cocky dick again. I’ll keep all of this at the front of my mind while we?—”
“Mick,” I cut her off, knowing she was putting up imaginary walls, “it was a joke. Relax, and allow me to prove how much I really do want—need—to spend some time with you.”
“You don’t have to prove anything to me. I already told you I’m not going back down the relationship road.”
Yeah, you’re saying that now, I thought with a smile. I loved a good challenge, and she was certainly giving me one.
“All right,” I said, dropping both feet to the ground and standing with newfound excitement and determination to be with Mickie away from work. “I’ve got to be up early to make rounds in the morning. See you there.”
With that, we said goodnight, and I glanced around at my house.
Are you kidding me? She’s going to dig this place just like she dug that 4Runner.
She was also going to love flying to San Francisco in a helicopter.
I had this in the bag and was excited to go out of my way to impress this Amazonian goddess. Now, I had to figure out our schedules, make arrangements for dinner and chopper rides, and a hotel room if I played all my cards right.
Chapter Twenty-Two
