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“Water?” Speaker Finley said. “You two are going to make me look bad! Oh, what the hell. Give me a beer.”
The waitress winked. “Coming right up, sir.”
“Looks like you have an admirer,” Natalie teased, nudging her father’s arm with her elbow.
“Oh, nonsense. I’m too old for those shenanigans,” he said.
“No you’re not, Dad. I’m sure lots of women would be more than willing to be your future first lady.”
“Let’s not jump ahead of ourselves, dear,” Speaker Finley said with a chuckle. He pulled a pair of eye-glasses from the pocket of his shirt. “Besides, you’re the one who should be keeping your eyes open for prospects. You don’t want to wind up old and alone. You’re far too pretty for that.”
“Oh Dad,” Natalie said, exasperated.
My mouth having suddenly grown dry, I looked around, wishing the waitress would come back with our drinks already.
“What about you, Colt?”
“Huh?” My eyebrows shot up. I looked across the table at Speaker Finley, noticing that he was staring at me.
“Anyone special in your life? Strappingly handsome young lad like you must have somebody.”
Right on time, the waitress returned with our drinks, sparing me from answering. “Are you all ready to order, or do you need more time?”
“More time, please. My eyes haven’t even adjusted to this dim lighting yet!” Speaker Finley said.
The waitress laughed as if he had just said the funniest thing in the world, making it seem that Natalie had a point. Either the waitress was being flirtatious, or she was simply being extra nice because she recognized Speaker Finley and wanted to be left a hefty tip.
“I’ll give you a moment then. Just wave me over when you’re ready,” she said before leaving once again.
Natalie laughed. “Goodness, she is trying so hard,” she said. Suddenly, a flush came over her face and she reached for her cup of water. She also seemed to be consciously avoiding my gaze and I suddenly realized why.
I supposed she felt a bit hypocritical, considering that whole yoga display she had staged for me earlier.
Unable to stop myself, I chuckled.
“All right, enough you two,” Speaker Finley said, his eyes narrowing at the menu’s dinner entrees.
I breathed a sigh of relief, seeing that he had been distracted from asking me about my love life again.
Although the answer to the question really wasn’t all that complicated, I just didn’t feel like talking about it in front of Natalie. I couldn’t talk about it in front of her, knowing that she was the only woman I wanted right now, but couldn’t have.
I stared at the menu before me, trying to focus. But the only thing I could really focus on was Natalie’s presence across from me. Under the ta
ble, her foot brushed against mine. She looked at me, startled, and mouthed a ‘Sorry’ before turning her gaze back to her menu.
Just at the brush of her foot, my heart had begun to race. It didn’t make sense, the effect this woman had on me.
I looked up again when she cleared her throat, and gave a start over the fact that both she and Speaker Finley were looking at me. I raised an eyebrow, confused. And then I realized one of them had likely said something to me and I had been too lost in my thoughts to realize it.
“I’m sorry?” I said.
Speaker Finley laughed. “Was just wondering what you were having, but I see you need your concentration right now.”
I forced a laugh. “Yeah, sorry…” I said, remembering that he was treating me to dinner.
“And don’t worry about the price of what you want. Get whatever looks good to you,” he added, as if sensing my thoughts.
“Well, I’ve got simple taste,” I said. “I’ll settle for baked chicken, steamed vegetables, and mashed potatoes.”
