He looked at me, his curiosity evident. He studied me for a moment. I took in the metal crutches he leaned on. The way he favored his right side. The obvious lean. He’d been injured badly at some point and never recovered.
“Hey, Evan. Good to meet you.”
He was silent, then pursed his lips. “Are you a body builder?”
“Nah. I just like to work out.”
Beth cleared her throat. “He works at a gym.”
I opened my mouth to correct her, but Evan spoke.
“Cool. So, you know how to work all the machines and everything?”
I let it go, deciding I would address my job with Beth later. “Yeah, I do.”
“Wicked. My school has some, but I don’t use them.”
I stepped closer. “Why?”
He indicated his leg. “I don’t know how, and the other kids…” He stopped talking and shrugged.
Instantly I understood. “Maybe I can help you there.”
His eyes widened. “Really?”
“If it’s okay with your sister.” I met her gaze, which seemed overly bright right now.
“I’m going to go put these in water. Evan, we’ll talk about it later.” She turned and hurried away, and Evan’s shoulders slumped.
“That probably means no.”
I met Paige’s eyes, suspecting why Beth was hesitant. I smiled and patted Evan’s shoulder. “I can be persuasive.”
A tugging on my pants made me look down. I met the wide gaze of Lucy. She was adorable as she grinned at me, a couple of her teeth missing. “Me too?”
Chuckling, I bent and scooped her up into my arms. “I think you’re too little, Lucy. But I could use you instead of pumping iron.” I pretended to do arm curls with her, careful to hold her tight so she didn’t fall. She shrieked in laughter, the sound making me grin. Evan chuckled, and Paige smiled as I teased Lucy.
“You’re the perfect size for this. No more growing, or you’ll get too big.”
“Good luck,” Paige laughed. “She grows every day.”
I sighed dramatically and put Lucy down. “Shame.”
“Maybe you grow too,” Lucy said.
It was my turn to laugh, and I ruffled her hair. “Maybe.”
* * *
In the car, Beth smiled. “You were very good with them.”
“I like kids.”
“I think they liked you.”
“Lucy…” I let my voice trail off.
She sighed, knowing what I was asking. “She was born with one arm not formed. We hope once she’s older she can get one of those prosthetics that work with your brain. She has an artificial one now that has to be changed as she grows, but it’s more for looks than anything. She doesn’t really like it, and she does very well without it.”
“She is adorable. Her father not around?”
“He walked out when he found out she had a defect.”
The way she snarled the word, I knew it wasn’t the way she saw Lucy.
“Asshole, I assume?”
“That’s being polite.”
We pulled up to the restaurant, and Beth looked around the parking lot. “Looks busy.”
“They know me here. I have a table reserved,” I assured her. “And they’ll have extra tacos ready with no lettuce for me.”
She laughed. “Oh boy. This I gotta see.”
* * *
Over margaritas, I discovered Beth was exactly what I thought her to be. Witty, smart, and fun. Her laughter was low and sultry. She was well-read and knowledgeable.
“You mentioned school. University, I assume.”
She nodded.
“You must have just finished exams?”
“Yes, thank goodness. My last one was two days ago. Now, I’m starting some intersession courses next week.”
“No summer school?”
“No. I work during the summer.”
I had a feeling I knew why, so I didn’t push the subject. “What are you taking?” I asked as I lifted a heavy nacho, already anticipating the bite of the jalapenos and the crunch of the chip and peppers on my tongue.
“Science. I’m specializing in meteorology.”
I chewed and swallowed. “Are you shitting me? Like clouds and storms?”
She smiled and nodded around her mouthful, pausing to sip her drink before answering. “Yes. Clouds and storms.”
“How freaking cool is that?” I breathed out. “I love watching clouds.” I leaned forward. “So, you know the names of all of them?”
She looked startled. “Yes.”
“Hit me with a few.”
“Um, well, there is cumulus. The stereotypical puffy cloud you probably drew a lot of when you were a kid, they are dense, individual clouds that are bright white on top and gray underneath. They typically appear earlier in the day when it’s sunny.”
I nodded. “I know that one. What is a storm one called?”
“Well, cumulonimbus are the classic ‘thunderstorm clouds.’ Seeing them is a sign that a storm is likely on its way. Or there are nimbostratus. Those clouds form a thick, dark layer across the sky, often blotting out the sun. Like cumulonimbus, they’re associated with rain, but you can’t pick out individual nimbostratus clouds.”
I leaned back and looked at her.
“Gotta be honest. I am totally turned on right now.”
Her sudden loud peal of laughter made me grin. If I thought her low chuckles were sexy, this had ten times the effect. Her curls bobbed, her mouth turned up in a sexy smirk, and the color on her cheeks was a light pink. Her dark eyes danced in mirth.