This was actually true. Thoughts were a lot like dreams, and I was determined to live within my budget. I'd been doing that my whole life – keeping my dreams small so I didn't end up disappointed.
Across from me, Jax said, "Go ahead. Think about it. I'll wait."
I stared at him. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, I'm curious."
I gave him a look. "Yeah, me, too."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning…" I hesitated. "How about you? Haveyouthought of kids?" Trying not to make a fool of myself, I added, "Probably not, huh?"
Looking completely at ease, he said, "If I didn't think about it, I wouldn't've brought it up."
Once again, his reply surprised me. "So," I persisted, "how many?"
"It depends on the girl. I'm assuming she'd get a vote."
Something in his tone made me feel warm and wonderful all over, but I wasn't going to let him off the hook. "Oh come on," I protested, "that's a pretty vague answer."
"Alright. How about this?" He smiled. "Somewhere between three and ten."
Oh, boy. Talk about a loaded answer.
I did my best Jax imitation. "Big difference between three and ten."
He lifted his glass in a mock-toast. "Good point," he said before taking a drink.
I almost giggled. "Oh sure, just becauseyousaid it first."
"Exactly."
Slowly, it was dawning one me that I wasn't nearly as nervous as I'd been just fifteen minutes earlier. It wasn't even because of the wine. I'd ordered only one glass, and it was still mostly full.
Maybe it was because the sun had dipped past the horizon, leaving us basking in the warm glow of candlelight. Or maybe, it was the fact that Jax was showing more interest than I'd ever seen.
During all those days at the coffee shop, there'd been a definite spark and lots of laughs, too. But suddenly, things were seeming a lot more serious.
As I watched, he set down his glass and said, "So tell me, what 's your story?"
I blinked. "My story? I don't have a story."
He cocked an eyebrow. "Could've fooled me."
"If you're talking my life story, trust me…" I looked heavenward. "Youdon'twant to hear it."
Smiling, he leaned forward and said in a low, seductive voice, "I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours."
Wow. That sounded so sexy.
Itshouldn't'vesounded sexy. We were, after all, only discussing the exchange of information. I said, "Tit for tat, huh?"
His eyes filled with amusement. "If that's what you wanna call it."
But already, I was wishing I'd said that differently.
Tit? Seriously?
