He groaned. “Please. I get ribbed enough about it.”
“It’s nice,” she said. “So really, you know how to milk cows?”
“Sure, but we had milking machines that mostly did it. It’s a lot of cows.”
She almost wanted to laugh. It was adorable. “I’ve barely even seen a cow.”
His eyebrows snapped together. “Seriously?”
“I grew up in Los Angeles. Moved to Chicago to go to college.” Among other reasons. She held out her hands. “City girl.”
“Damn.”
She laughed. “What does that mean?”
“Eh. Nothing. Are you still in college?”
“Yeah. Last year. Almost done.”
“I can’t tell how old you are.”
She grinned. “I guess that’s good.”
“It’s weird.”
Now she laughed. “What? Why?”
“I dunno, I just feel like I should be able to judge your age, but when I look at you, you could be…eighteen, or you could be…never mind. I’m just gonna get myself in trouble.”
“I’m twenty-four. I started college a little late.” Ugh.
He nodded. “Okay. That’s good. Twenty-four.”
Their eyes met again. “You?” she murmured.
“Twenty-seven.”
“I’m guessing you do something physical for a living.”
His chin lowered. “Oh yeah? Why?”
She waved a hand up and down. “The muscles.”
“Ah.”
“Pretty sure you’re not milking cows here in Chicago.”
“You got that right.”
He wasn’t forthcoming about what he did for a living. But that was okay. They were just flirting for a few minutes. Though if it turned into more, she wouldn’t mind…
No.
She had no time for sex, romance, flirtations, or liaisons. Between classes, exams, her thesis project, volunteering, and working two part-time jobs so she could keep sending money to her mom, she had no time for romance. Which could make her feel pretty damn sorry for herself if she thought about it too much. So she didn’t. She just kept working away. She was in her last semester of school and soon she’d be starting her new career, paying off her debts, and doing what she loved.
Hopefully. Finding that full-time job was another issue. Thinking about what would happen if she didn’t find one could also induce a panic attack. So that was another thing she pushed to the back of her mind.
“Waitressing here’s a part-time job while you’re going to school?”
“Yeah.” She smiled. “Gotta pay the bills.”
“I hear ya.”
Maybe he worked in construction, or something like that.
“What are you taking in school?”
“Sociology and Urban Studies.”
He gazed at her. “Urban Studies?”
“Yeah. It’s my adjunct major. Like I said, I’m a city girl.” She hitched a shoulder. “I’ve always been fascinated by cities and urban life. And I love Chicago.”
“Jesus,” he muttered. “Seriously?”
Curious at his reaction, she tilted her head. “Seriously. What’s wrong with that?”
“Remember, I grew up on a farm.”
“Right. Farm boy. You don’t like living in the big city?”
“Ah. It’s okay. I’m getting used to it. Sometimes all the people and cars and tall buildings make me feel closed in. I like getting out of the city. Somewhere open and green and peaceful. I have a place on Browns Lake where I like to spend my summers.”
She drew her chin down. “Summers? Are you a teacher?” That surprised her. She wasn’t sure why.
“No.” His eyes dropped to the beer he held and he mumbled another curse. “So you study cities.”
“Right. I mean, some people study cities, as in their physical form, like ecology, architecture, streets and sidewalks, transit systems, housing. I’m more interested in the people and neighborhoods. Urban sociology.”
“What do you do with that kind of education?”
“I’m really hoping I’ll get hired by the nonprofit group I’ve interned with.” She bit her lip. “My thesis is on whether green spaces in neighborhoods reduce crime, or increase it.”
“Wow. That’s impressive.”
“Don’t encourage me.” She made a face. “When I get started talking about it, there’s no stopping me.”
“That’s cool,” he said slowly. “It’s good to have something you’re passionate about.”
“Yeah.” Their eyes met again. Warmth curled low down inside her. “What are you passionate about?”
“Right now? Beer.”