Dani sighed. “I’m right here, guys. And I can order for myself.”
I leaned back. “Go ahead, then.”
She paused. “Well, is there a menu?”
Some of the guys sitting around us started roaring with laughter. I grinned at Dani, watching as she sank a little lower into her seat. Maybe if I showed her the kind of world I came from, she’d realize she didn’t fit in and leave me the fuck alone for good. Because with the way she tugged at my groin, I knew I’d never leave her alone if she kept coming into my life. Walking up to me randomly. Enticing me with her perfume, and her hair, and those dazzling eyes of hers.
I meant it when I told her to stay away.
Mostly for her protection, but partially because I couldn't stay away from her. So her actions were her only hope for safety at this point.
“Take a risk for once, Bambi. It’s not gonna kill you,” I said.
She rolled her eyes. “Fine. Whatever. But no beer. Beer’s gross, and I’m not caving to that.”
I looked up at the waitress. “If you’ve got juice, I’m sure she’d be fine with that.”
“Soda,” Dani said curtly, “is just fine. Coke. Regular. Lots of ice.”
I grinned. “Because tough girls need ice, right?”
She shot me a look that made me smile and I watched as her eyes danced around my face again.
The waitress nodded. “Soda and a beer coming right up. Anything else?”
I waved my hand in the air. “That’s all. Thanks.”
As the waitress went to get our drinks, Dani sighed. “If I answer your question, will you answer one of mine?”
I cocked my head. “What question did I ask?”
“Whether or not I take risks in my life.”
“Ah.”
“Question for a question?”
I leaned back. “Sure. Why not?”
She nodded. “All right. You’re right, Max. I don’t take a lot of risks in my life. I enjoy knowing what to expect. It keeps my anxiety down. I’ve never liked surprises. Or fast cars. Or taking rides from strangers. Or anything that might put me in danger or get me into trouble. An unknown outcome never sits well with me. It’s just always been that way.”
Wow. What a peaceful life to live.
Dani snickered. “You must think I’m incredibly boring right now.”
I shook my head. “Don’t ever assume what I’m thinking. Because people are always wrong.”
“Well then, what were you thinking?”
I shrugged. “I was thinking that sounded kind of nice. To know what’s coming all the time.”
“What do you mean?”
“That the question you want to ask me?”
“What?”
“Question for a question. That the question you want to ask?”