He watched silently as she made her sandwich. When she took a bite he responded.
"What's the matter? Am I moving too slow for you?"
She nearly choked on the sandwich, and washed it down with some coffee.
"What's that supposed to mean?" she managed to gasp.
"I don't like to rush into a relationship." His dark eyes were dancing with humor.
"What relationship? We don't have a relationship. We hardly even know each other."
He casually spooned a bite of potato salad into his mouth and methodically chewed and swallowed it. before responding. "Have you already forgotten the night we spent together?"
If it hadn't been for the obvious humor in his eyes, she would have sworn he was serious.
"Go ahead. Laugh your head off. I'm nothing but a joke to you, am I?"
She didn't intend to sound so injured.
He sobered instantly. "I'm sorry. Call me old fashioned, but I like to do the asking."
She stared at him. "You mean you'd pass up a free dinner just because it was a woman who did the asking?"
He shrugged. "Like I said, I like to do the asking."
She pointed her fork at him. "That's a cop out. Men use that excuse as a means of retaining complete control. That way they have the woman reserved while they shop around."
He scowled. "It's a matter of personal preference. Don't analyze it to death."
She wiped her mouth with a paper towel and picked up her plate.
"I'm not analyzing it. I'm simply stating that I'm not leaving my destiny to the whim of a man."
He stood. "Great. Now we each know where the other stands." He glanced at his watch. "I've got to get back to my apartment." Picking up his dishes, he set them in the sink and left the kitchen.
Now he was angry, and who could blame him? What had gotten into her? He couldn't be right, could he? Sure, only three weeks of her vacation remained, and it would be fun to have someone to enjoy them with, but she was hardly looking for a serious relationship. She dropped her plate into the sink with a loud clatter. Who was she fooling? Under different circumstances she would be openly encouraging his attention - the circumstances being, if Dad hadn't sent him. Was that what was bothering Keaton? Had he been instructed to keep everything strictly business?
Keaton's steps faded toward the front door and then hesitated before turning back to the kitchen. She glanced up from wiping the table as he peaked around the door, his eyes sparkling with humor again.