She nodded along. “Naturally.”
Getting her to play along with me was even more fun than pushing her buttons and getting a rise out of her. “See, Jackfruit got its name from the magic beans Jack planted. That beanstalk that grew to the giant in the clouds actually grew magic fruit. Jackfruit.”
“Magic, huh?”
I nodded sagely. “After I eat the tacos, I’ll be even more awesome than I already am.”
Laughter bubbled from her mouth. An addictive sound. Even if I lived a hundred more years, I wouldn’t get tired of it or stop trying to hear her perfect pitch of amusement again.
“If that’s your expectation from these tacos, you’re going to be severely disappointed.”
“Since when do tacos disappoint?”
She inclined her head to concede to my point.
“But even if they end up poisoning me,” I spoke again, “it would be worth it to spend this evening with you.”
She blushed and looked away. “I was right to warn Sierra about smooth-talking men.”
My spine hit the seat back. “I’m not a smooth talker; I’m just not afraid to say what I really think.”
Her face flushed deeper.
“I have to say, that shade of pink is very becoming on you.”
She looked down at her dress—white with little blue flowers. “I’m not wearing pink.”
I lifted a brow to my hairline, giving her a direct look. “Aren’t you?”
She put her hands to her undoubtedly warm cheeks. “You should stop.”
“Why?”
Her hands dropped to her lap. “Because I don’t know when you’re being serious or not.”
I moved my foot until I found hers under the table, bumping her ankle so she’d look up at me. Her blue eyes held uncertainty. She may be sure about ways to make the world a better place, but I hadn’t proved myself to her yet. I’d just have to work to put enough data in the pro column that she couldn’t ignore the fact that we were good for each other.
“I’ve always been serious about you, Nicole. I just didn’t always know it.”
“Here we are.” Our server approached with a tray laden with two hot plates. She placed our meals in front of us.
I let the heat of my gaze travel across the table. Some would probably think I wasn’t playing it cool enough. That the things I’d said were too heavy and serious for a first date. And maybe they’d be right, but I didn’t want Nicole to think I was only playing around. Not when I’d never been so earnest about something, or someone, in my life.
17
Nicole
The last time I’d been out on a date that I hadn’t been bribed into going on, I’d still been married to Greg. His company always threw a swanky Christmas party, so we’d hired a babysitter to watch Sierra. Greg and I had been having problems, but he wanted to keep up pretenses. He said his coworkers didn’t need to know about our private affairs. I agreed, so I purchased a red sheath dress with side ruching to try and slim myproblem areas.Camille from the salon give me a sophisticated updo. Almost as soon as we entered the banquet hall, however, Greg excused himself. I was left standing with a flute of champagne I’d never drink in my hand. When Greg didn’t come back, I went searching for him…and found him playing tonsil hockey in the coat closet with Chelsea from human resources.
“Something wrong?” Drew set down his fork and gave me his full attention.
Did he know how heady that was? To have someone so completely focused on me? I honestly didn’t know what to do with the amount of attention he gave me. I’d try to divert his concentration, but an instinctual part of me knew my efforts would be futile.
Why me? Drew was successful, smart, funny, and extremely good looking, whereas I was overweight, divorced with a daughter, too opinionated, and somewhat abrasive. He could have any woman he wanted. Why had he chosen me?
“Nicole?” Concern entered his voice.
I blinked out of my self-deprecating thoughts and smiled at him. “Yes. Sorry. I’m fine.” To prove it, I picked up my fork and took a bite. This restaurant really had earned all its positive Yelp reviews. Cashew cream garlic sauce swam with flavor, the fried sage adding a perfect note.
