Page 24 of First Bride to Fall
His eyes danced. “Noted.”
“What else is on your list?” she asked him.
“What else is on yours?”
She laughed. “Not too, too much. Except for Brussels sprouts.”
“What?” He feigned shock. “But those are delicious. Especially roasted. Yum.”
She wrinkled up her nose and teased. “Way to smell up a house.”
“You probably don’t like cabbage, either.”
“Are you kidding? I have to like that. I come from good Irish stock.”
He chuckled at her proud expression. “I like it too. It’s a great Saint Patrick’s Day staple.”
“At Mariner’s?” she asked.
“Yeah. They also make a superb lamb stew.”
“That’s what I hear.”
“You mean you’ve never tried it?”
“Not yet.”
“Then get it next time.”
She wished she could get it with Grant, with a side dish of a romantic view. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“What’s more,” he said with a grin, “how about I take you?”
Her heart stuttered. Was he asking her on a date? “Ser-seriously?”
“Sure. If you’d like.”
Oh boy would I like. I’d like a lot.
“Unless,” he continued with a flirty twinkle in his eye, “you’ve started seeing someone between now and an hour ago on the trail?”
“I…no! Not at all.” She blushed.“I would love to go to Mariner’s with you.”
Grant leaned back in his chair, seemingly pleased with her answer. Nell could barely contain her excitement. A date. With Grant. Andheasked.
It was so much more than she hoped for on the first day. Even her propped-up ankle didn’t hurt so much anymore. She was finally doing it—taking ownership of her dreams and her life. If Grant eventually fell for her as hard as she hoped, that would be terrific. But, even if he didn’t, exchanging fun banter with a really attractive guy felt good. She was new at this but getting better. Hopefully she’d be a pro by the time they went on that date.
“So,” she asked casually, drinking from her water. “Anything else on your ‘don’t like’ list?”
“Not much. I’m pretty easy.” He frowned. “Only coffee.”
“What?” Nell grew wide-eyed. Peanut butter was one thing, but it was hard to imagine the guy she spent forever with not liking a cup of joe. All of her fantasies about them being cozy and drinking morning coffee together in bed went up in one big poof, like a frothy cappuccino cloud.
“I’m sorry if that’s harsh.” He grimaced. “Seeing as how that’s your family’s business and all.”
Nell reined in her shock. Not liking coffee was okay. She could keep having her wake-up coffee, and he could enjoy his hot tea or whatever.
“No, no. It’s fine.” She viewed him curiously. “When did this aversion start?”
