Page 28 of Torin

Torin looks up.

“The mating.”

His fork comes to rest on his plate. “You didn’t want it.”

It isn’t a question.

“No.”

A hard look flickers across his face, but when he speaks, his voice is calm. “Okay.”

I study him.

“You’re very good at this.”

“At breakfast?”

“Getting people to talk.”

He smiles. “I like hearing what people have to say.”

“Even complete strangers you find wrapped around trees?”

“Especially them. They usually have good stories.”

I laugh. “Is that why you’re so nosy?”

“Probably. I studied psychology too.”

I pause with my fork halfway to my mouth. “Seriously?”

“Yeah. Got my bachelor’s online.”

“Why psychology?”

“I’m interested in people.” He takes a drink of coffee. “Why they do what they do. Why two people can go through the same thing and come out completely different. Why somebody can tell you they’re fine when you can see from twenty feet away they’re anything but.”

I narrow my eyes. “Was that last one aimed at me?”

“Maybe a little.”

I raise an eyebrow. “So you are secretly analyzing me.”

“Nah.” He reaches for another piece of toast. “I’d rather get to know you.”

Oh.

I look down at my plate, hiding the smile that’s trying to appear.

“Journalism.”

His eyebrows lift. “Seriously?”

I smile. “Why do you sound so impressed?”

“I am impressed. What kind?”

“I wanted to do investigative reporting.”