Page 30 of Forever Fascinating

“Show me,” he invited softly, and Jana looked at him, realizing he wasn’t playing around with her. His beautiful hazel eyes looked almost black in the dim lights and shadows, making her breath catch in her chest as he scooted his chair a little closer. “We should take a photo together.”

She held up the phone before them and hesitated, unsure how close to lean in or if this was some sneaky way that he was going to try to kiss her. It wouldn’t be so bad, because she was incredibly attracted to him, but a part of her would be disappointed that he would sink to some slimy way to make the moves.

Instead, he leaned his head towards hers, watching the screen, putting their faces close to each other – and immediately stuck out his tongue to the side, crossing his eyes.

Jana burst out laughing – and clicked the button.

“Ohhh, come onnnn…” he drawled out painfully, looking completely embarrassed, reaching for the phone. “You should have made a stupid face, too. My gosh, Jana, we’ve got to do that again. Instant retake, woman.”

“I’m not making some silly face,” she chuckled, holding the phone aloft again, only to see him smile beside her, both of their faces cut off in the image. He took the phone, held it out a little further, catching both of them, and clicked the button.

“Now, a silly one…” he said softly, taunting her. “I know you’ve got a silly streak hidden in you somewhere.”

“That’s not how I want you to remember me when you scroll through your photos,” she laughed, feeling extremely embarrassed, and put on the spot. He looked at her, his face close to hers, and hesitated.

“How do you want me to remember you?”

“Like this,” she said openly. “Laughing, smiling, and having a good time just being with you.”

“And you think I won’t remember any of that or think differently if you make a silly face?” he replied curiously, watching her. “You’d be wrong, you know.”

“I would?”

“Yeah,” he admitted evasively, holding the phone up again. “C’mon and have a little fun with me. Goofy face time, okay?”

“I really don’t…”

“I’ll text you every photo… once I figure out how,” he pledged immediately, causing her to burst out laughing joyfully as he chuckled, his breath tickling her cheek.

She saw the flash and realized he’d taken another photo of the two of them, causing her to look at him.

“I will remember every moment since I met you.”

His words touched her soul, as she stared at him in awareness.

She expected him to try to kiss her, to pressure her hard to make a face, or something to raise a red flag since so many people had warned her off of him… yet nothing happened.

“I think our food is coming,” she uttered, feeling almost nervous at the attention, realizing just how much he affected her and wondering if it was the same for him.

“Excellent,” he said easily, smiling. “Apologizing for my table manners now because I plan on gnawing on the bone… my goodness, I’m ravenous. Did I ever mention that when we have steak on base that you cannot cut it with a knife? I literally must pick my cutlet up, gnaw at it, or worse yet? There is sandy grit in it.”

“This will be a lot better,” she offered, chuckling at the mental picture it made in her mind of him, chewing at something trying to eat it. As the waitress set down their plates, she saw her steak was bigger than his.

“Nope,” Jana blurted out, hesitating. “Can you switch our plates if they are hot?”

“What are you doing?”

“Is something wrong ma’am?”

“I want the smaller cut please… and the bigger potato,” she smiled, glancing at Matthew, who looked completely amused as the plates were moved.

“Thank you,” he said politely to the waitress. “Could we get some creamy horseradish too? Two servings – oh, and more sour cream please.”

“Of course, doll,” the waitress replied, “I’ll get you two some rolls as well.”

The moment the woman was out of sight, Matthew looked at Jana.

“Doll?” Jana uttered bluntly.

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