Page 5 of Boyfriend Material
“Okay, I guess I can accept that. But sweet? That’s kind of the last thing a guy wants to hear…”
Livie let out a breath. Patience would tell her to go for it, and really, what did she have to lose? “You’re attractive, and yes, I know that’s not something you have control over, but you don’t flaunt it like most of the guys. You’re always respectful of the servers. I think your parents did a great job. I’d date you.” At his sharpened gaze, she added, “I think most of the servers would. Is that what you wanted to hear?”
“I guess I can live with that. But I’m more interested in what you said at the end. You’d date me?” Theo’s eyes sparkled with mischief.
Livie’s cheeks heated; her face had to be on fire. Being a redhead sucked. She’d left herself wide open with her remark. “Ah, yes, I would. In fact, if you were available, I’d take you home with me this weekend.”
“For a family Thanksgiving? Isn’t that quick?” Theo asked.
“Yeah, probably. I have a feeling you’d be able to handle them. You’re wouldn’t want to be my fake boyfriend for the weekend, would you?” Livie knew he was going home to see his family and had meant it as a joke. Although they said most jokes had a modicum of truth.
“Why do you need a fake boyfriend? I’m sure you have men dying to go out with you.” Theo seemed genuinely surprised.
“It’s a long, painful story.”
“Well, you’ve got my undivided attention until we land.”
“You sure you want to hear this?”
“I wouldn’t have asked otherwise.” Theo’s smile lit his entire face and showcased the dimple she’d never noticed. The man could make an iceberg melt in the middle of winter.
“Fine, but you asked for it. If you fall asleep, don’t blame me.”
Theo chuckled. “Deal.”
“Okay, here’s the Cliff Notes version. Uh, do you know what they are?” She thought he might, but he was older, so maybe he’d forgotten.
“How old do you think I am? Geesh. Of course, I know what they are.”
Livie tilted her head to look at him. His question gave her permission to stare. Maybe he wasn’t that old, just an old soul. Though he had some laugh lines around his eyes.
“Umm, thirty-five?”
“Thirty, actually. My birthday was two weeks ago. I guess I’ll have to ask my sister about moisturizers or something.”
“Oops. I won’t make you guess my age. Unless you want to?” Livie was curious about what he thought of her. He’d said she was attractive, but was he attracted to her?
“Hmm, my mother always said it was impolite to ask a woman’s age, but I could guess, I suppose. I know you’re in medical school, so I’ll go with twenty-six.”
“Close, I’m twenty-seven and I’ll be twenty-eight in a few months. But wait, how did you know I was in medical school?” None of her friends at the bar mentioned that he’d asked about her.
“I’m in naval intelligence. I have my ways.” Theo wiggled his eyebrows and grinned.
She giggled. “I think that might be inappropriate behavior, mister.”
“Nah. I overheard you and Patience talking about it a few times. I’m good at lurking, it’s part of the job.”
“I guess so.”
“Enough stalling. I want to hear the reason you need a fake boyfriend.”
“Would you like a drink or a snack?” the flight attendant saved her from having to answer right away. Did she really want to tell him about her family?
“I’ll take a coffee, two sugars, and a creamer, please,” Livie said.
“And I’ll have a black coffee and peanuts if you have them.”
“Sorry, sir, no peanuts. Someone on the flight is allergic. I have pretzels or cookies.”
