Page 41 of An Overdue Match
She blanched.
“What? You don’t like the name Albert? Take it up with my parents. Now, your turn.”
She reached for her glass and took a long drink of water. Suddenly, she stood, her jerky movements almost disrupting the tray a passing server carried in her hand. She apologized profusely, then sprinted away, an excuse of needing the restroom following in her wake.
Tai watched her go. What had just happened? Newton’s third law of motion—for every action there is anequalyet opposite reaction—had completely been thrown out the window. Retreat over revealing a middle name? Even if her parents had saddled her with something like Dorcus, running away while the blood drained from her face was an overreaction.
It was also a misstep on her part if she didn’t want to spike his curiosity. Like a forbidden fruit, all he could think about now was her mysterious middle name. Did it rhyme? Evangeline Tangerine Kelly? Or perhaps it was embarrassing. Evangeline Bertha Kelly? Bequeathed because she was a Big Bertha of a baby? Or maybe she’d responded so strongly because they shared a middle name, or at least the feminine form of his. Evangeline Alberta Kelly?
Minutes ticked by, but she didn’t return. He was about to flag down a female server and ask her to check on Evangeline when she finally appeared and retook her seat, smoothing out her dress as she did so.
“I’m sorry, that was terribly rude of me.” She picked up her fork like nothing had happened and speared a morsel of food.
Tai cocked his head. “Are you okay?”
She pushed her lips into a false smile. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Maybe because—”
“Your questions. Which one do you want me to answer first?”
Tai’s brows rose. She was definitely flustered if she’d interrupt someone while they were speaking. No southern-bred woman would dare.
Yeah, hehadto know what this secretive middle name was.
He folded his hands in front of him. “I’ve decided to offer you a three-for-one deal. We’ll save the previous questions for another time. Just tell me your middle name.”
The muscle in her jaw ticked as she set down her fork. “I may sound like a contestant on a TV game show for saying this, but no deal.”
“Howie Mandel is devastated.”
“I bet he is.”
“I’m not going to let this go, Evangeline Tullalulah Kelly.”
“Duly noted. And not even close.”
Tai grinned. “Fine. Do you, Evangeline Clementine Kelly, enjoy being yourself?”
She didn’t even bother trying to suppress her smile this time. It curved in a delicate bow, a soft and inviting slant that drew his attention. “You’re colder than a penguin in the Antarctic with your guesses.”
“Are you sure?” He couldn’t look away from her mouth. “I’m feeling quite warm, actually.”
Her smile froze, then dimmed. She looked away, but not before he saw a hint of sadness darken her irises.
Which made no sense. He could understand if his flirty comments embarrassed her or made her exasperated, but why would they make her sad?
“You shouldn’t say things like that.” Her voice was quiet, and she was again not meeting his eyes. Just like when he’d said she was beautiful.
“Why not?”
“Because you don’t mean them.”
His head jerked back. “Says who?”
She huffed out a breathy laugh that didn’t even hold an ounce of humor within it. “Guys like you never mean the charming things they say.”
“I’m glad you find me charming, but what do you mean byguys like you?”
