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“She’s beautiful, isn’t she?” he said gently. “I couldn’t leave her there, no matter what. It’s not in me, my friend.”
“What made you name her Gigi?” she asked, not commenting on his words and cradling the puppy to her chest. The tiny animal was so happy, she was writhing and licking at June wildly, trying to love on her.
“That’s actually one of the questions forThe Dating Game– if you are one of the contestants?” he grinned at her mischievously, and held up the folded piece of paper. “Does this mean you are interested?”
“Where’s the rest of the contestants?” she retorted glibly, lifting an eyebrow.
“That’s a great question – and also on the list.”
June couldn’t help it… she laughed as he chuckled easily with her. She remained where she was, kneeling before him where she’d scooped up the puppy, and met his smile.
“You’re no good, are you?”
“I’m the best there is,” he replied playfully, his eyes dancing.
“And you have this whole thing planned out?”
“The entire evening for our first date.”
“A date, huh?”
“Are you asking me out?” he said innocently.
“I think we both know better…”
“Did you like your necklace?” Ian asked softly, his voice tender and gentle as he continued smiling at her. “I saw it and thought it matched the classy girl I had in my mind.”
“You are spoiling me,” she admitted bluntly and raised an eyebrow at him. “We’re still only friends – and that’s it.”
“Then we don’t need these,” he replied, tucking the questions back into his shirt pocket as she gritted her teeth. “Are you hungry?”
“I thought you wanted to play a game?”
“It’s adatinggameand we’reonly friends, remember?”
“Oh my gosh, you are infuriating.”
“I’ll grow on you, I promise.”
They stared at each other, like two enemies facing off at high-noon in an old western. She honestly was trying to pick her next move, like some chess game, and thinking of all the ways he could pivot or corner her. She knew he wanted there to be more between them, because everything he said or did was as a man interested in a woman…
“Why me?” she whispered softly.
“It’s on this sheet of paper,” he replied patiently, his eyes dancing. “The only question I have for you is would you be more comfortable sitting in the chair with the sheet blocking my view and giving you a measure of comfort or isolation… or would you like to lounge on the picnic blanket like friends, snack on the tray of goodies that I picked up, let Gigi play around us, and I will answer every question in your curious heart.”
She hesitated and pursed her lips, looking at him.
“You really don’t play fair.”
“When I want to win this badly?” he replied softly. “Never. I give it everything I’ve got.”
“Let me see those questions and I’ll tell you…”
“Nope,” he interrupted arrogantly. “You decide now. Friends on the picnic blanket, or strangers in the chairs.”
She reached up and plucked the questions from his shirt pocket with a raised eyebrow, and saw his smile spread.
“Blanket,my friend…”
