Page 56 of Miracles and Marriage

She debated. He had a point: if she felt more comfortable around him, things would be easier.

Only, she was afraid getting too comfortable would mean she might grow to care for him more than he wanted.

Still, this was only dinner.

“All right.”

She nodded, watching him speak, wondering when he would kiss her again. Far from disliking his touch, she was really afraid she’d grow to like it too much.

Cal took her to a grill near the capitol on Thursday evening. The food was delicious and due to the dearth of customers, the service was excellent. Once they’d been served, Zoe glanced around.

“I haven’t been here before. Is it a favorite of yours?”

“It’s my second time. I came with a couple of men from work a few months back and we enjoyed it.”

She cast around for another topic of conversation, smiling when she had the perfect question.

“Tell me about growing up in Richmond. We grew up in the District, so how did living in Virginia compare?”

“Probably similar. Played cowboys and Indians when young, sports as a teen.”

“We all played sports in high school. Which ones, basketball or baseball?”

He looked at her in amusement.

“Is this an inquisition?”

She shrugged.

“Sort of. You know lots about me, but I still don’t know a great deal about you. What was your favorite sport?”

“Baseball in spring, football in fall, pickup games of all kinds in summer.”

“Not basketball? You’re tall enough,” she asked.

“I played in school but didn’t care about it one way or another.”

“What did you do best in school?”

“Math.”

She blinked.

“I’m surprised. Why aren’t you an accountant?”

He laughed at that.

“Merely because I was good at it didn’t mean I wanted to deal in numbers all day long. What were you best in?”

“History.”

“So, why not be an historian or a teacher?”

“Good point. I love what I do, actually. I find it more fascinating than any other job I can think of.”

“Me, too. The training I received in the Army enabled me to open Protection, Inc. There are new programs and training courses I take all the time to keep on top of the field. Trying to outwit others is intriguing enough for any man.”

“Keeping people safe is important. It’s a rough world these days. Did your uncle approve of your career?”