Page 41 of Casita Casanova
Cas frowns. “Why do you do that?”
“What?”
“Downplay yourself.”
What?I lean back in my chair, my chest tightening with a bit of embarrassment and a smidgen of defense. “I’m not… I’m not downplaying anything.”
“Yeah, you are. You said it like you were embarrassed. Or…” He sips his wine, watching me over the glass. “Or like you thought I would think you should be embarrassed. Why?”
Frowning, I stare down at my nearly-finished meal, then stab a few remaining noodles and shove them into my mouth. I look back up at Cas and he watches me thoughtfully.
When I finish chewing, I say, “There’s a negative connotation to choosing motherhood over a career.”
“Is there now.”
Is he trying to goad me? “Yes, there is. Staying at home isn’t acceptable anymore.”
Cas frowns. “I’d disagree. Where I come from, staying home with your children is a privilege. Not everyone can do it, financially speaking.”
“That’s true.” I pause, then ask, “Where are you from again?”
He flashes me that smile that tightens my thighs together. “New York.”
I narrow my eyes. “Long Island, or…”
“Manhattan. Upper East Side.”
Wealthy. I figured. “Look at that. Learning things about each other already.”
“I’ve learned a lot about you today.” Pushing his plate aside, he leans forward, resting his forearms on the glass table.
“Oh?” I push my plate away and mimic his position, leaning forward myself. “Like what?” This should be interesting.
“Like…” He holds my gaze. “You like cheesy nineties music.”
How does he know that?
“You love getting your hands dirty.”
I incline my head in agreement.
“You can make jarred pasta taste… actually pretty good.”
Laughing, I look at the serving dish. “The secret’s in what youaddto it. Butter, basil… sauteed onions—”
“You want me, and that scares you.”
My eyes flick up to meet his.
“Not sure why, though.” He tilts his head, eyes narrowing as they search mine. “Two consenting adults—”
“Strangers. Twostrangers.”
“You’ve never hooked up with someone you didn’t know?”’
I snort. “No.”
“You should try it sometime. No strings.”
