Something in his dark eyes gleamed as she pretended to consider.
“It was pleasurable,” she said.
He looked a little disappointed. “That’s all?”
“I guess you’ll have to try harder next time.”
Was she flirting? Yeah, she definitely was.
Nick chuckled. He picked up his menu, and she followed suit, happy to change the subject to the food selection, which he seemed to appreciate. Adam would be pleased; Nick wanted to try everything.
His scrutiny of her resumed with full intensity after they placed their orders. “So, Jannie Larssen. Care to tell me where you’ve been for half my life?”
“You first.”
“Me?”
“Yes, you. I have pressing questions you have to answer.”
His grin was so wide that she felt compelled to ask.
“What’s that grin for?”
He shook his head, amusement all over his face. “Just marveling at how little you’ve changed.”
“And that’s a good thing, of course.”
“Of course!”
“So, are you going to tell me why you disappeared right before graduation? You were the talk of the entire school, you know.”
He looked surprised. “Oh, really?”
“Really.”
Nick shrugged. “I didn’t think anyone would notice.”
“Literally everyone noticed you, Nick.”
“That’s hard to believe.”
“Believe it. You were always the subject of discussions.”
“What kind of discussions?”
“People were afraid of you.”
“Afraid. Of me.”
She nodded.
“Explain.”
“Well, maybe not exactly afraid. More like intimidated.”
“Youweren’t intimidated.”
“I wasn’t. But most of the kids were.” Which was why they had avoided and isolated him, but Jannie omitted that part.
