Page 15 of The Leaves In Autumn
“Oui. Oui, oui, Monsieur Lyon.”
“You’re practically fluent.”
“I figure the translation app will be my best friend.”
“Do you see yourself staying single?”
“Absolutely not. What fun would that be?”
“Not everything’s about fun.”
“It should be.”
“What would fun be for you? How do you define it?”
“I would be fulfilled, and I expect highly entertained, if I had a spectacular love.”
“You’re shooting for spectacular then? Glad your expectations are in check.”
I meet his stare.
“Why aim low when I have so much to offer a man?”
Why is he chuckling?
“You’re very sure of yourself, Mademoiselle.”
“We are similar in that. Besides, I thought you liked that about me.”
“Among other things.”
There are a few beats of lusty stillness, before I lower the heat index by changing the subject.
“It must be around here somewhere! Where the hell is that ball?”
Walking toward the path, Aargon calls over his shoulder.
“How was the date last night? Anything?”
“Michael’s a nice guy, but I need to know more. He has no bantering skills, which doesn’t bode well. I would set him up with a beauty, and nothing. Zilch. He suffers from Wit Interruptus.
I see half of a smile before his head turns away. He knows, as well as I do, how hard it will be to find someone who verbally spars like we do.
“Stop it,” I say to his back.
But he adds a laugh loud enough for me to hear.
“I might invite him to the wedding. I need a date and he needs to spend time with an interesting woman. He did say he likes to dance.”
“So let me get this straight. You are willing to have a boring time just to be able to have a dancing partner? Shit. I’ll dance with you.”
“You’re saying I’m doomed to save all my best zingers for a friend?” I call. “No. I refuse to be as negative as you. People can change. He will relax and I will eventually be charmed by what comes out of his mouth.”
“What a great idea. You’re going to change the man. That has worked really well in the past.”
“I might.”
“Okay, whatever you say.”
