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“It’s… it’s good!” He sounded more surprised than anything.
Mari’s shoulder shook with laughter. “Of course it is,” she told him. “I wouldn’t give you something to eat that wasn’t.”
He raised a brow at that.
Then he nodded, lowering his head a little. “I admit, I wasn’t sure…”
Mari reached out and tapped his chest with one of her knuckles, turning her hand to keep her chopsticks from poking him. “You didn’t grow up here like I did, so you’re forgiven. But,” she lifted her chin and gave him what she hoped was a look that inspired confidence, “remember I wouldn’t recommend something that I didn’t like.”
He nodded, his expression softening a little.
It looked good on him, she decided, this easier… more relaxed look.
She didn’t like seeing him tense up, and she really didn’t like the sadness she’d seen in his expression the first time she’d met him.
“I hope,” she spoke to him softly because she wasn’t sure how to explain herself the right way, “that you’ll trust that. Like when they say it’s coming from the horse’s mouth.”
She winced.
That was awkward, to say the least.
Before she could retreat further away, she stopped.
Heath touched the crook of his finger under her chin, holding her there.
“I don’t know about a horse’s mouth,” he moved closer, his eyelids lowering slowly, “but I’d take anything from yours.”
A moment before he closed the whole distance between them, she thought how wonderful it was that they were both a little bit awkward.
It was nice that she wasn’t the only one.
And then, she stopped thinking because Heath Derringer was kissing her.
Kissing her.
Oh goodness, her brain was short circuiting in real time.
He was kissing her, moving closer, and she wondered just what his lips would taste like. Something she was going to find out… and soon.
SIX
BUCK
As things go, his current day to day life was still pretty bleak, but things changed when he got to see Mari.
Even Ebi made him smile, or at least he didn’t scowl at her.
And the cat?
Well, she didn’t seem to care what his face looked like as long as she could claim his lap or get a good scratch or two.
When the day rolled around for the next bowling league night at Lanikai Lanes, his mood dipped again.
He was almost looking forward to the raucous energy of the league night, but he’d asked Mari if she wanted to go with him, but she’d said no.
It would have been their first date out.
Date…
