He follows my gaze and pulls them away, running one through his hair. It’s longer on the top and shaved close at the sides. His cheeks are pink. Wait. Is he blushing?
That’s…unexpected.
And adorable.
I smile to put him at ease. “I’m good.”
Three guys are laughing and jostling next to Anton. He breaks eye contact with me and nudges the nearest one. “Del, watch it.” He points at me. “You could have hurt her.”
Del offers me a sheepish shrug, which, given his oversized stature, is more like a giant heave of the shoulders. “Sorry, ma’am. It’s just…this song does something to me.”
Anton rolls his eyes.
I let loose a genuine laugh. “It’s fine. Seriously.”
The music changes to the opening chords of Faith Hill’s “This Kiss.”
“What a banger!” Del hooks his arms around the other two guys. “To the dance floor!” He charges ahead, craning his neck around and calling out to Anton, “Bates, come on!”
“Be right there.” Anton turns his attention back to me. “Can I get you a drink? Peace offering for my buddy bulldozing you.”
“Sure.” I smile again.
He gestures for me to lead the way to the bar. I pull up to the high counter and hear a crunch beneath my boots. I look down and see peanut shells.
“It’s my favorite part of this place.” Anton drops into the seat next to me and bobs his chin at the ground. “Free peanuts in the shell. You just shuck ’em and toss ’em.”
“Isn’t that more like littering?”
“Nope.” His blue-green eyes dance. “The shells are biodegradable.”
I arch a brow. “Look at you, talking all science-y and looking out for our planet.”
He pops another peanut in his mouth, holding my gaze with laughter in his eyes. “Is that the type of guy you’re into? A nature lover?”
“Well, recycling is one of my favorite hobbies…” I tap my chin playfully. “So, I suppose yes.”
“Noted,” he chuckles. “I should tell you, then, that I plant trees in my spare time.”
“I don’t know if I believe that.” I furrow my brow. “Were you Johnny Appleseed in a past life?”
He laughs outright at that. “No, but it’s one of my initiatives in my home country.”
“Your home country?” I cock my head. “I noticed the accent, but I didn’t catch your name.”
His eyes widen with genuine surprise. “You don’t know who I am?”
“Uh, no.” The lie tumbles from my lips with ease. “Should I?”
He shakes his head quickly. “I’m glad you don’t, actually. It’s…nice. Most people recognize me.” He shoots a glance around the bar. “That’s why I like coming here. I can fly under the radar a bit.”
“What are you, like, a spy?” I deadpan.
“I wish.” He laughs and pauses before adding, “Why? Are you?”
I almost choke on a peanut, but manage to swallow it. Hard. “Yeah, right.”
His shoulders shake with his silent laughter, and I let out an internal sigh of relief. Note to self: no jokes about spies. That one got a little too close for comfort.
