Page 18 of Fauxmance

Taking a deep breath, I released my nerves and told him the truth. "Well, I already told you. It's silly. But I have this weird thing about eating in front of people."

He let out a scoff. "I thought you were joking about that."

"Nope," I said.

"Is it because I'm a guy?"

"Of course not. That would be stupid." I rolled my eyes. "If it's in a restaurant setting or at home, no matter who I'm eating with, I'm fine. But if it's off the cuff like this? Without the proper utensils,platesand glassware? Makes me a little nervous to be honest."

Hayden was staring at me like he thought I was crazy.

"Ooh, and napkins!" I shook my head. "The lady-like part of me revolts at the idea of having no way to clean my hands."

"Why not just wipe them on your pants?" he said slowly.

I blinked. "I'm going to pretend you didn't say that."

"In case you forgot, we're in an elevator." Hayden glanced at the walls around us for emphasis. "Come on. I'm sure it would be okay to eat with your bare hands and not wash them under the circumstances."

"I just don't want you to think I have no manners," I said. "They say a lot about a person, you know."

He shook his head in wonder.

"She'd love you," he said.

My brows pinched in confusion. "Who?"

"My grandmother. She's as much of a stickler for manners as you are. She doesn't like many people, but I'm sure she'd take a shine to you."

"Thanks…I think," I said.

It was the second time he'd mentioned his grandmother and how alike we were. I still wasn't sure if it was a compliment. A bit odd. But maybe he was close with her like I was with my mom.

My tummy growled as Hayden took the nuts and passed me the granola bar.

"You should eat," he said. "Sounds like your stomach doesn't care about politeness."

"Yeah, yeah," I said.

"And here." He took something out of his pocket then tossed it to me. "If it'll make you feel better."

I unfolded the small piece of fabric, surprised to find a black-and-white-checkered square of material.

My eyes were smiling as I looked to him.

"You carry a handkerchief?" I asked.

"No gentleman ever leaves home without one," he said then shrugged. "At least that's what gran says. Now, eat, Maggie."

I couldn't help but smile as I dug into my half of the granola bar. We divided up everything. Hayden made short work of his carrots and nuts and was already munching on his gummies. Weate in companionable silence until he took his phone out of his pocket and laid it in the space between us.

"You know what we need?" he said. "Some tunes."

I didn't recognize the song he played, but I liked it immediately.

"What is this?" I asked.

"It's an original," he said, and my eyes widened.

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