“My kinda gal,” Cody said. “Not that I’ve ever had a girlfriend. I love dick way too much for that.”
I spat up the first sip of my vodka, partly because it was the strongest vodka I’d ever been served, and partly because—“You Australians really do say it like it is, don’t you?”
He shrugged. “No point beating around the bush. Life’s too short for polite chit-chat. You didn’t come here for chit-chat, did you?”
“Honestly, I’m not sure why I came here.”
“Because you like me.” And there was that grin again. It was the very definition of charisma. “What’s not to like?”
“Directandmodest,” I remarked. “Is there anything else I should know about you?”
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Well, considering you’re such a connoisseur of the written word, I should probably tell you my favorite book of all time. No, wait. Why don’t you try to guess.”
I nodded, taking another sip of my drink. I was already feeling the buzz of the booze and was instantly intrigued by his challenge. “All right then, let me work this one out. You obviously love to travel. From the tan and the slightly disheveled clothes—”
“Disheveled?” he said, feigning offence. “I’ll have you know these are my best khaki shorts.”
The curl of my lips into a smile betrayed me for a second. “As I was saying, from the slightly well-worn clothes, you’re obviously drawn to adventure. You also told me you live on a tropical island, so you clearly love the sand and the sun. Yet your literary prowess is evident as well, meaning you’re no doubt drawn to the classics. I’m going to say your favorite book of all time is…Treasure Island.”
“Oooh, good guess. And you’re right, I do love that book. Lots of swashbuckling fun. But no, it’s not my all-time favorite. Guess again.”
I took a gulp of my drink. I was liking this gameshow quiz more and more by the minute. I drummed my fingers against my lips and eyed him closely, looking for clues on his face, although all I could see were those twinkling eyes and that soul-melting smile of his. “All right, then. I’m going to stick with the traveling theme. Still on the high seas. This time I’m leaning toward more of a satire, something that makes a comment on the world, something that mocks how seriously we take ourselves. You’ve clearly got a rebel streak, I expect you question power and politics too.”
“Indeed, I do.”
“Then my second guess is…Gulliver’s Travels.”
“Oh! Another great pick, but no cigar I’m afraid. You get one last chance.”
I drew a deep breath, ready to solve the mystery of Cody Cameron. “Mmmm, I can do this.”
“I know you can. I believe in you.”
He did? We’d only just met.
I took that as a clue. “You’re a man of instinct, and with it comes conviction. You’ll travel far for what you believe in. You’ll create stories along the way and take the hard road to find the life worth living.” I wriggled my nose like a rabbit as I tried to figure out my last guess, then suddenly realized—“It’sWatership Down!”
“Boom! You got it!” he bellowed so loud the whole bar turned to look. “Fuck me, that was some awesome detective work. I’m impressed! You’ve clearly read way too many mysteries.”
I grinned with pride, something I never did. Of course, the moment I did, Bea materialized behind the bar. “Brooks! Precious! Is that a smile I see? Someone call a medic, it must be a grimace of pain that simply looks like he’s grinning.”
Cody laughed and lightly slapped my knee.
He slapped my knee… not his.
And then he let his hand rest there a moment.
My heart gave a flutter, and that smile… I couldn’t seem to remove it from my lips, even after Bea had made her cheeky little quip at my expense.
“No need for a medic,” Cody said. “We’re in the middle of guessing each other’s favorite books, and Brooks here just hit a home run.”
“Sounds like you boys need another round.” Bea was already pouring.
I threw down the gauntlet to Cody. “So, you think you can guess mine?”
Of course he smirked with confidence. “Too easy, lemon squeezy.”
“Actually, it’s a squeeze of lime that goes in with the vodka,” Bea chimed in, before realizing. “Oh, you’re speaking Australian again, aren’t you?”
