The Winner's Game(90)

“Oh, please. Why her? And if you say because she has the best outfit, you officially lose.”

“Why not her? First, she’s got an invisible plane. Think of how that has helped develop stealth technologies. And then her headband thing that doubles as a boomerang weapon—that’s cutting-edge fashion. But mostly, consider what she has done for advancing women’s rights. Who else, among all the superheroes, has been the kind of strong role model for young female minds? Yeah, it’s got to be Wonder Woman.” He grins, obviously pleased with his answer. Then he draws a question to ask me. “OK, your turn. ‘What’s the very first impression you had of the person sitting across from you?’”

“Seriously? You got a superhero question, and I have something personal like that?”

Totally not fair.

He folds up the paper and sets it down. “I didn’t write it, I just picked it. Are you not going to answer?”

“What, and lose?” I feel some butterflies flitting about, but not enough to give up. “No, I’ll answer. I, um…saw you behind the counter at the candy store, and I remember thinking you looked like a boy I once met at the hospital during one of my stays. And then you started talking and I thought—Don’t laugh, OK?—I thought, ‘Wow, he sounds a lot smarter than he looks.’”

Tanner nearly spits out his water. “Laugh? I think you just slammed me.”

“No, it was a compliment. You look like one of those cool guys, you know, who are athletic and good-looking and fun to be around, but not very smart. Or at least not studious. But when you spoke, I could tell there was more to you than I first thought.”

He relaxes and smiles. “Aww, thanks. I think.” Tanner slides the envelope back across the table.

I can’t believe it when I read the next slip of paper. “What the heck? It’s another easy one: ‘Which is better, and why—dog or cat?’”

So lame.

When he smiles at me again, it sends a shiver down my spine. What a great smile! Even if it is a little crooked, it’s also confident, but not arrogant. And warm and inviting without being cheesy.

So adorable!

“I’ll go with cats,” he says at length. “I’m probably more of a dog person, but cats have nine lives, and who wouldn’t want that?”

The way he is looking at me, he’s probably thinking about the frailty of my life, and how having nine lives would be a drastic improvement. It’s a sweet thought, but I don’t agree with his assessment. “I don’t know, cats are so serious all the time, and all they do is sit around, completely self-absorbed. Dogs have fun and are kind and want to spend every moment with the people they love. Plus they are true friends, sometimes to a fault. Emotionally, and even socially, I think I’d rather have one dog life than nine cat lives.”

“Really?”

I nod. “Positive. I’ve been a bit of cat for the past few years. I’m ready to be a dog.”

The waitress walking by must’ve overheard that last bit, because she gives me an odd look.

Tanner sees it too and busts up laughing.

Awkward!

He takes a sip of water and draws another question from the envelope. “Oh boy,” he says very slowly after reading it. “You’re not going to like this.”

“You can’t be serious. How come I keep getting the bad ones?”

“Just dumb luck, I guess.” There is a twinkle in his eye that I can’t quite read.

“Here goes. ‘What was the name of your last boyfriend, and what did you like most and least about him?’” The twinkle in his eye grows.

“Wait a minute!” I snatch the paper from his hand and read it out loud. “‘Sunrise or sunset, and why?’” He’s been making up his own questions the whole time! “Oh, you’re a trickster, Tanner Rich.”

“And you’re awesome, Ann Bennett.”

My heart does a backflip, and it doesn’t even hurt! I LOVE hearing him say that. Just like I love the sound of his laughter. I even love the fact that he is interested enough in me to make up personal questions. “So this means I win, right? Cheaters always lose.”

“That’s fair. But you’re still welcome to answer the questions. If you want.”

“Actually, those are both easy questions. I’ve never had a boyfriend, and I definitely choose sunrises over sunsets.”

“Why sunrises?”

I suddenly wish I hadn’t volunteered to answer the question. Not that it’s any big secret, only that I don’t want to be all gloom-and-doom when we’re having such a good time. “Just…because. Sunsets are an end, you know…and I’m more in favor of new beginnings. Every day I wake up and there’s a new day ahead of me…it’s a good day.”