"Sorry about that," he said. "I had a rather pleasant surprise and it dazed me."
Surprise? What surprise? "Care to share?"
"It's a secret." He pressed a finger to his lips.
"I hate secrets," she said. "I like to know everything about everyone."
His grin became fixed. "You also like to be extremely honest."
"Isn't it better that way?" she asked. "At least if I have a problem with you, I'm going to say it to your face and not behind your back."
"True," he said.
"And I can honestly say that you're a very strange guy," she admitted.
"I think I can honestly say that, too."
Both of them exchanged looks and laughed.
****
They ordered dinner.
Emmy's knee had stopped bleeding an hour and a half before, so she really could have gone home. Despite that, when Sebastian had suggested they order pizza, she couldn't say no. Just because she was a fish and he was a merman didn't mean that she couldn't enjoy some good quality ogling. After all, when would she have the opportunity to hang out with Mr. Handsome again?
"It's so nice that you're a woman who appreciates the benefits of ordering a pizza with extra cheese," Sebastian said, grinning.
"Well, the cheese is the best part." Even the thought of oozing mozzarella made her lick her lips.
"I think the crust is the best part."
She did a double take. "Please tell me you're kidding."
"What?" Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "If pizza is made right, the crust is hot and doughy."
"You're wrong," she said. "No matter how well made the pizza is, the best part is always the cheese."
"Nope." He shook his head. "The cheese is good, but the crust is better."
She draped herself dramatically over the side of the couch, feigning horror. "Here I was thinking that we were going to have a beautiful friendship, but then you go and say something atrocious like that."
"I think we'll still find a way to make this work." The man grinned.
"I don't know." She heaved a massive sigh. "Liking the crust best should be considered a felony."
He pressed his wrists together and offered them to her to handcuff. "Lock me up and throw away the key."
Groaning, she glared at him as if he was deserving of a hundred-year prison sentence. "It's no less than you deserve."
Chuckling, Sebastian rose to his feet.
"What if I give you a glass of wine?" he asked. "Will that help my case?"
"I have to drive." No way would she drive under the influence.
"Good point." Sebastian paused.
For a moment she stared up at him, and then she considered the benefits of wine drinking. Her leg still hurt, so alcohol might help ease her suffering. Besides, she liked the idea of sitting beside Sebastian, her fingers curled around the delicate stem of a glass.
"I could take a taxi," she said.
"Are you sure?" Sebastian frowned in uncertainty.
"I always say what I mean." And sometimes she considered that a fault.
His grin widened. "In that case, mademoiselle, would you prefer red or white wine?"
"Red." She shrugged. "It goes better with pizza."
"Red it is." Sebastian took a step back. "And if you're lucky, I might dig out ice cream from the freezer for dessert. That, I think, would go excellent with wine as well."
"You know what, despite your bad judgment when it comes to pizza crust, I think our relationship might work out after all," she said.
As Sebastian turned around, she swore she heard him say, "I'm counting on it."
No, that must have been her imagination.
"Great, now I'm hearing things," she muttered under her breath.
As she drummed her fingers on the table, Sebastian materialized within moments with two glasses and a bottle of wine. He took a seat and poured her a huge glass of wine. As she took what he offered, she sighed in bliss.
"I love how you don't skimp on the serving size." She sipped the bittersweet liquid.
"Well, I just hope you're not a lightweight." He poured himself a glass just as large.
"To be honest, I am," she admitted. "I don't drink much."
"Hmmm." He eyeballed her glass, his eyes dark with concern.
"Don't worry about me," she said, hoping she'd read his expression correctly. "I'm going home in a taxi, remember? As long as I can still use my legs by the end of the evening, I should be okay."
"I'll make sure that your legs are fully functioning at the end of the night." He nodded solemnly. "I'll also escort you to your place personally."
"You don't have to do that!" Escorting her would be way too much trouble.