His mouth curved slightly. “Well, thank you. I’m glad I impress.”
He did impress. And knowing more about the man behind the sexy body and the off-the-charts hot touch made him even more appealing.
“But my mom is the reason we’re so close.” He took another bite of his burger, then wiped a napkin across his mouth. “I come from good people.”
Chloe smiled. “Your mom is nice.”
“She’s all heart, that woman.” He dropped his burger to take a drink of his cola. “She’s easy to love.”
A Quinn trait, thought Chloe.
Sawyer’s eyes remained trained on her as he put down his glass. “I’m curious, so enlighten me. You said you broke up with Josh. What you didn’t tell me was why.”
Chloe dipped another fry in the ketchup, hearing laughter from a bunch of teenagers at the table behind them. “Josh and I started dating in high school.”
“High school sweethearts?” At her nod, Sawyer frowned. “No offense, but you’re not acting devastated over the breakup.”
“Because I’m not. I mean, I love him.” She liked how Sawyer didn’t react to that. “But the relationship with Josh was too easy. We haven’t had a fight in more years than I can count.”
Sawyer chuckled. “That’s what you want? To fight with your boyfriend?”
“Well, kinda.” Realizing how crazy that sounded, she explained, “Isn’t that passion? Having tempers rise. Feeling strong feelings. Josh and I were too comfortable.”
“So you ended up being just friends?”
“Very good friends, but yes, just friends.” She shrugged. “It took me a while to see that, I guess.”
Something intense crossed Sawyer’s face, and she shifted slightly. He evidently noticed her response, and his smile suggested he enjoyed it. “How did Josh handle the breakup?”
“It was mutual.”
He licked the ketchup off his fingers, never taking his eyes off her. “Interesting.”
“Why is that interesting?”
He wiped his mouth again before placing his napkin back on his lap. “You seem hung up about the breakup, even though things ended on good terms. Like I said…interesting.”
“Well,” Chloe tossed back, “interesting is better than boring.”
Sawyer smiled. “That it is.”
Stomach full, Chloe placed her napkin on the plate. Sawyer took a final sip of his Coke and rose, grabbing his wallet from his pocket. “Let’s get out of here.”
Chloe blinked up at him. “Where are we going?”
“To my house.” Sawyer dropped cash on the table.
When she didn’t move, he grinned down at her. “To wait for Shane’s call, of course.”
She slid out of the booth. “I’m not sure I believe you.”
“Ms. Nash, you have a dirty mind.” He raised his hand to his heart in mock dismay. “I planned on catching a replay of the game and wait for Shane’s call. You should be ashamed of yourself.”
“Oh, please.” She nudged his shoulder. “I call bullshit.”
He chuckled as they exited the restaurant. Outside, the hot sun beat down on them. “Bad language, too?” He squinted at her. “I’m shocked. And here I thought you were a good girl.”
“I am a good girl,” she scoffed, folding her arms.