A Marriage-Minded Man / From Friend to Father: A Marriage-Minded Man / From Friend to Father

“You don’t eat meat?”

“Meat that doesn’t look like it’s been run over by a steamroller, sure. If something’s gonna eventually kill me, I’d at least like to enjoy the process.” Her mouth worked for a second before she abruptly turned off the highway onto a little street winding away from the touristy area. “You want a burger, I’ll show you a burger.”

Twenty minutes later, Eli grinned down at a burger so fat and juicy and sassy he half expected it to moo. Then he looked over at Tess, her eyes closed as she savored her own first bite, and something squeezed tight in his chest.

“I take it,” he said, “you haven’t had one of these in a while, either.”

Tess shot him a look, but was apparently too caught up in red meat worship to make a comeback. Swallowing, she shook her head. “Taking two little kids someplace like this is a waste. One bite and they’re done. Or have to go potty. Sure, the girls and I have our Ortega’s Wednesdays—sometimes—but it’s not the same as—”

Lowering her burger to her plate, she turned toward the window. But not before Eli saw tears swell in her eyes.

“Hey,” he said, dipping his head. “You okay?”

“I’m fine,” she said on an embarrassed half laugh, then pressed the edge of her napkin to one eye. “Have no idea where that came from. Don’t take it personally.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.”

“No, I mean…” She blew out a breath, then took a sip of her iced tea. “I’d just forgotten how nice it can be to have a civilized meal. Even if it’s just a burger and fries. Just two adults sitting in a booth…” She shook her head, laughing a little.

Covering.

“Hey,” Eli said, and she looked up again, chewing. “Admitting you enjoy the company of somebody over four feet tall isn’t a sign of weakness. Even if the company is me. Although I’m flattered as hell you consider me an adult.”

He’d expected—wanted—a laugh. Instead, she lowered her gaze again, dunking a French fry in a pool of ketchup for several seconds before answering. “Okay, confession time…watching you work, the way you interact with your crew…” She almost smiled. “Whatever personal baggage we have between us, I can’t deny the person I’ve seen over the past couple of weeks…”

Eli went completely still, watching her. Waiting. Finally she lifted her eyes, looking seriously put out with herself. “I was wrong about you, okay? And seeing somebody for who he is—not who you thought he was—has nothing to do with flattery.”

Wow. Talk about your whoa and damn moments. Eli leaned back, one arm stretched across the booth seat’s top. “Despite all the gossip?”