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The guy didn’t take his eyes off her. “Shawn, I’m gonna have to call you back.” He slid his phone into his pocket and grinned at her. “Sure, sweetheart. My apologies. But before I go, can I have your number?”
If his behavior thus far hadn’t already made her dislike the guy, the lustful sweep of his eyes down her body would have done it.
“Definitely not.” She turned on her heel and went back to the table. Taking a long sip of her water, she chanced a look at Graham, worried he might be embarrassed by her behavior. Why did she never consider that before she reacted?
But instead of a look of censure, she found that glorious, slightly crooked smile aimed in her direction. He propped his elbow on the table and rested his chin in his palm as if studying a piece of artwork up close. “You’re something else, you know that?”
Suddenly self-conscious at his inspection and the warmth threading through her veins, she deflected. “Sorry. See? That’s the shit I do on dates that usually cancels out the chance of a second one.”
“I love watching you.” His eyes darkened but his quiet tone remained playful. “So did that guy, apparently. If you’re looking for someone who enjoys the mouth on you, you should go back and give him your number.”
“Hell no. I have to believe there’s someone out there who likes me for me, but also isn’t an asshole.”
“Once again, I’m out of the running.”
“I didn’t think you were ever in it?”
“I wasn’t. You can blame Angela DiMarco for that.”
Claire perked up. Now they were getting somewhere. “The girl who broke your heart is named Angela?”
He squinted. “You sound oddly disappointed.”
“It’s a little generic. I was imagining something with a little more flair. Porsche or Crystal or something. Angelas are shy girls, not the kind who go around breaking the hearts of big, brawny men like you.”
“Maybe I wasn’t so brawny back then.”
“How long ago was this alleged heart-breaking?” Claire had met him when she was twenty-two and he was twenty-seven during a night out with Mia and Noah, and had cared more about having fun with him than getting to know him.
His dark eyes darted to the side, looking out at the street beyond. He swallowed. “You know, my throat’s starting to hurt a little.”
“Liar.”
His gaze came back to hers, eyebrows raised. “Nurse Harper. You would have me go against doctor’s orders just to learn about my relationship history?”
“You’ve only been talking, intermittently, for less than an hour. You’re avoiding.”
“Something I’ve been told I’m pretty good at.”
Claire tucked hair behind one ear. “Fine, have it your way. I’ll just talk your ear off for the rest of the meal.”
“Sounds normal.”
She flipped him off, fighting a grin. “It’s probably best to save your voice, anyway. We’ve got one more stop to make after this and you’re gonna need it.”
“Why? Where are we going?”
“My mom’s house.”
Graham’s eyes lit up and there was that smile again. Graham and her mom only saw each other once a year or so, as Claire didn’t often have reason to bring her mom around her friends or vice versa. But every time they got together, they were like two peas in a pod.
“Claire Harper, you just made my day.”
14
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