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Because I wanted to tell her how I felt, that I wanted this to be more than a getting-to-know-you date for stage chemistry. But I was terrified she’d reject me. Then it would get really awkward at rehearsal.
She’d blown off our stage kiss like it was nothing, but I’d come to terms with it, realizing I needed to keep this professional. Then she’d opened the door in this wicked, soul-damning dress and turned my world upside down. I couldn’t even think straight.
“Tell me something about your childhood,” she said, breaking into my downward spiral. “A memory you remember fondly.”
Clearing my throat, I tapped a finger on the stem of my wineglass. “Anything in particular?”
“Nope. Anything at all you’d want to share.”
My thoughts wandered to my brother. “Growing up, it was just me and my brother, Hale. Dad worked a lot. Still does.” I tried not to sound bitter on the last part. “Hale’s only two years younger than me, so we were close.”
“I remember he was a couple years ahead of me in high school, but I didn’t know him.” She smiled. “What’s he like?”
“The exact opposite of me.”
“So, he’s hideously ugly and a lazy ass?”
“No.” I laughed, heat flaming my neck as I realized she was complimenting me. “He’s more laid back. A lot more.”
“Interesting. What does he do?”
“He owns a local construction company.”
Her brow rose. “Residential houses?”
“That’s right.”
“Let me guess. His company is Hale Building, Inc.”
“It is.”
“Yeah, I actually looked at houses in a neighborhood near the park where there was some new construction. I saw the sign on a few lots.”
Nodding, I added, “He buys the lots and builds, then sells the homes, rather than custom-builds for landowners.”
“Why?” she asked, genuinely confused.
“If you knew my brother, you’d understand. He hates dealing with people and all their demands and hovering. He’d rather invest and build and hope he can sell quickly rather than deal with the headache of homeowners.” I poured her another glass since she’d emptied hers. “It’s risky. I could never do it. But that’s Hale. He was always taking risks. I think he enjoys the thrill of it.”
She took her refilled glass and swirled it in one hand, focusing intently on me. “So tell me about the childhood memory.”
I tapped the wine glass again. “Christmases were always fun growing up. Mom always banned Dad from working. He couldn’t even check his email the week of Christmas Eve and Day. Some kind of bargain she made with him.”
“I like your mom already.” She smiled.
“She’d like you, too.”
The thought of her meeting my mom spread warmth in my chest. The fact that I knew they’d get along so well and that I definitely wanted them to meet sent my pulse racing. Not for the first or second time tonight.
Her smile wobbled, pink flushing her cheeks.
“But there was one Christmas when I was thirteen, Hale was eleven, that it snowed. Do you remember that?”
It only snowed this far south once a decade and never stuck to the ground very long, so it was a big deal when it happened.
Blue eyes widened. “Yes! I was eight at the time.”
“At our house, it had frozen over the edges of the bayou in the shallows. We had a little dog back then. A terrier named Joey. We got the bright idea to take him skating on the ice that had built up along the icy edge.”
