Page 11 of Omega Tricked

Intuitive little prick.

I tried to think quickly. “That’s because I took this class to forget about work.”

“Hmmm.” He went back to shredding chicken, his shoulders stiff.

I didn’t want the conversation to end on that awkward note. “You know, you don’t talk about your job either.”

He stopped what he was doing, but he didn’t turn around. “True.”

“But even so, I don’t make you feel bad.”

He faced me, his expression conflicted. “I’m… I’m not trying to make you feel bad.”

I shrugged, making sure my expression had the perfect hint of hurt. “Well, it certainly isn’t a good feeling when I’m just being friendly and you shoot me down.”

He twisted his lips, studying me intently. “I’m not allowed to talk about my job.”

“That’s fine. But you don’t have to act like just because I’m interested, I’m a bad person.”

He frowned. “Sorry.

I sighed. “It’s okay.”

He met my gaze. “I guess you get me a little flustered.”

“I do?” Okay, maybe I did still have it after all. “Why?”

“It doesn’t matter.” He went back to the chicken. I assumed he’d withdraw into his shell again, but then he said, “So… what is it you do?”

I smirked inwardly. My little guilt trip had worked. “I sell medical equipment.” Now that I knew what he did for a living, I figured telling him I was in a somewhat connected field might help form a bond. The more things in common you had with a mark, the easier it was to get close. People who wouldn’t give you the time of day often opened up if you shared the same job or knew mutual friends. It was as if you were suddenly welcomed into a secret club.

He perked up. “You do?”

“Yep.” I really hoped he wouldn’t ask me any detailed questions. My knowledge of medical equipment was limited.

He eyed my slacks. “So you’re a salesman? That’s why you’re always so dressed up?”

I smiled. “Need to look my best.”

He nodded, running his gaze over my body. He sucked in a breath and looked away. “I guess.”

“My company decided we needed to spread out more on this side of the country.”

“Huh.” He chewed his lower lip. “It is hard to find reliable companies who’ll deliver to Yellow Springs. They always promise the moon but seldom deliver.”

“God, right?” I forced a laugh. “My company strives to be better than that.”

“The clinic I work for is always looking for reputable companies. Do you have a business card?”

I froze.Shit. “Uh… not on me. I can bring one next time if you want.”

He frowned. “You don’t have one on you?”

I tried to look sincere. “Like I said, this class is to forget about work.”

“Oh yeah.”

I layered the shredded cheese over the corn tortillas according to the recipe, all the while thinking of ways to get Dylan to talk to me about himself some more. If I pushed too hard, he’d clam up. That was obvious. But having all this time alone with him was a godsend, and I hated wasting it.