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“Smells good.” Charlie removed a ball cap from her head and finger-combed her hair as she stepped inside.
“Hope you’re not allergic to shellfish.”
“Lucky for you that I’m not.”
“I should’ve asked.” The safer choice would’ve been steak. “But I like to gamble from time to time.” He led the way through the main living space of his house and out the back door.
Entering the patio, she glanced at the table, where beside the food he had a bucket of ice with beers and a nice chardonnay to complement the dinner.
“Wow. Look at this spread,” she said. “You made enough food for at least four.”
“I like to cook large meals, so I have plenty of leftovers. Saves time in the kitchen.”
She picked up the bottle of twenty-year-old Glenfiddich he’d also bought. “You even shelled out the big bucks for my favorite scotch.”
It had set him back two hundred dollars, but if it got her talking, then it was worth it.
“For future reference,” she said, “I only drink the stuff on rare occasions. Horrendous day. Best day ever. That sort of thing.”
He was stuck on the prospect of future dinners. With her. He hoped like hell he’d get to explore the possibility. “Good to know. Have a seat.”
“Mind if I clean up first?” she asked.
“No, go right ahead. Second door on the left.” He indicated the hallway.
While she used the bathroom, he went back to the kitchen for the melted butter, seafood sauce and warm crusty bread. By the time he had it on the table, she reemerged. As she sat across from him, she grabbed a beer.
“I didn’t think that would be your beverage of choice,” he said.
“I’ll have a cold brewski from time to time. But tonight, I just want to taste what you enjoy.”
He smiled, unable to help it. “What’s with laying on the charm?”
“I’ve been accused of being many things. Obstinate. Impulsive. Too smart for my own good. But charming? Never.”
Tonight, they were both playing games. Did she think she had to butter him up for him to share information? Or was there more to it?
She popped the cap off her beer and took a long swig.
“Verdict?” He took a bottle of beer also and opened it.
“I like it. The pale ale will go well with the seafood. Do you eat out here often?”
“Weather permitting, every chance I get. My father made this table himself. And a few years back, I built the pizza oven.”
She glanced at the outdoor kitchen that also included a grill and smoker. “Nice setup.”
“Yeah.” He wanted it to be nice for his parents. “I’ve had plenty of family meals here.” Brian loved the fresh air, the land, the green landscape, surrounded by mountains. If only he had been able to do more to keep his parents living in the house longer. “Dig in.”
They both helped themselves to the food, loading their plates, and began eating. He had set the table with all the utensils and tools they’d need, including wooden mallets.
She cracked crab legs, plucking out succulent meat and licking her fingers as she devoured the meal. “Did you learn anything?”
He had, but he wasn’t going to rush this. “First, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you.”
“Oh, yeah.” She tore off a piece of bread. “What’s that?”
“When I offered to teach classes for free at USD, why did you turn me down without giving me a chance?”
