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“I can say thanks when it arrives.”
“You say please after you ask for something and thanks when it is given to you,” she said in a prim little voice that should annoy him but he found cute.
“Why are you always happy around anyone but me?” Sawyer asked.
“I’m not always happy,” she said.
“Here’s your coffee, Birdie.”
“Thanks, Lenny.” She smiled at the bartender.
“Put a shot of whiskey in that,” Sawyer said, his eyes daring her.
“Please, and that sounds lovely, but make it rum, Lenny.” She gave him a smug look.
“Why are you always so unhappy?” Birdie asked him.
“How do you know I’m unhappy?” Sawyer turned in his seat, and she did the same. Her legs didn’t reach the footrest. The sight of her little feet in those heels swinging back and forth like a kid kicked him hard in the gut.
“You’re always scowling. My earliest memory of you was at Ryder’s sixth birthday. You were helping your mom do things, and the entire time you were frowning.”
He shrugged.
“That’s not an answer,” she said, picking up her coffee. The first sip made her wince.
“Too strong?”
“I don’t drink much, and I’ve had two glasses of wine already, but this is nice. I need to try this at home.”
“It’ll help you sleep.”
“I don’t need help. I sleep already. The sleep of a clear-minded, happy soul. Back to why you’re always grumpy.”
“Is it the two wines asking?”
“No. Maybe.” She frowned. “Your siblings are not grumpy all the time like you.”
“Have you made a study of the Dukes?” Sawyer picked up his whiskey and sipped. Top shelf, he thought. Smooth as a good malt whiskey should be.
“No, but I like to watch people, and I’ve had plenty of time to do that since I never left Lyntacky.”
“I was shy,” Sawyer found himself saying. “People thought I was grumpy, and then it was just easier to let them think that.”
“But you’re not really grumpy?” She tilted her head to the side to study him, gray eyes inquisitive.
“I am now.” His words came out with a bite. “How come you’ve never left Lyntacky to go on an adventure like your siblings?”
She studied him for a few more seconds and then looked down at the cup in her hands.
“I’m not very brave, and time just kind of got away from me.”
“Traveling is not about bravery, Birdie,” Sawyer said.
“It is. I never had the courage to leave home on my own.”
“What about friends? Or your siblings? It’s never too late to go.”
She looked at him again, but instead of answering him, she said, “Tell me about all those places you went to before you settled in LA. Ryder used to show me the pictures you sent him.”
