Todd choked on air.
“So,” the waiter said, “I’ll bring you potatoes and bread.”
“And more water,” I said. “Because I spilled it on the table. And then it turned inappropriate when I tried to clean it up. I’m going to have to work out even more now tomorrow to make up for all the potatoes and bread. Okay. I feel bad. That was a lie. I’m not going to work out at all. That sounds just awful.”
The waiter practically ran away.
“I like him,” I said. “Very quick service. Good job, Todd.”
“Thanks?”
Ryan said, “Are you breathing okay?” He leaned down, hands on the table, until he was level with me. “Take a deep breath.”
I did. And then, because I was an asshole, I started gasping and grabbing my throat.
They both freaked.
I laughed at them.
They weren’t amused.
“Calm the fuck down,” I said. “We’re having fun.”
“You’re ridiculous,” Ryan growled at me.
“And how do you know things?” I asked him, narrowing my eyes.
He shrugged. “I just do.”
“That’s a nonanswer.”
“You want to make out with me?” Todd asked.
“Let’s see how the evening goes first,” I said. “You’re off to a good start. Mostly. Maybe not the Food of Death thing.”
“No making out,” Ryan said.
“Eep,” Todd said.
“Go away. I’m on a date.”
&nb
sp; He turned and glared at Todd. He tried to look intimidating. It must have worked because Todd was intimidated. “No making out,” he said.
“No making out,” Todd agreed quickly.
“Ryan, the tip of your sword is poking me,” I said. Because it was. I don’t know why he thought he needed to come fully knighted-out. Talk about going overboard. “You’re getting it all over me.”
And then Ryan blushed.
I said “Oh crap” in a slightly strangled voice. I didn’t think it was possible for him to get any more attractive. But he had done so exponentially and it made my insides burn.
“Sorry,” he muttered as he pulled it away.
“Sure,” I said faintly. “Sure.” I wondered how to go about asking him to poke me with his sword again.
Todd said, “Blueberries?”