Tender is the Nerd Read Online Free Page B

consider it trouble. Good food deserves a nice presentation.”
    “You certainly achieved that.” He put down his wine glass and pulled out her chair. As he scooted it in, he chuckled. “I’m not sure I’m dressed for the occasion.”
    “Tonight is strictly come as you are.” His gentlemanly gesture left her a little quivery. “I’m in the same outfit I wore to work this morning.”
    “So am I, but there’s a critical difference. You showed up for work in a nicely creased gray pants suit and a green blouse that matches your eyes. I arrived in jeans, sneakers and a flannel shirt over my t-shirt.”
    “So it’s casual Friday.” Mentioning the color of her eyes was slightly unusual. But she shouldn’t make too much of it.
    “That’s not an excuse. I look like this every day. You, on the other hand, look beautiful every day.” He took his seat.
    “Thanks.” She tried to stay calm but he’d just announced that she was beautiful. Anyone who made that kind of remark, especially in a private setting, often had an agenda.
    Yet she didn’t picture Rylan concocting some plan to get her into bed. After all, she’d invited him to her place, so he couldn’t very well have a plan. Plus he probably had the same uneasy feeling that she did about getting involved. Their history – primarily concerning his brother Frazer – stood between them.
    He put his napkin in his lap and surveyed the pasta primavera. “Looks really nice.”
    She sensed his hesitation. He might have had fun shopping for the ingredients but he had an established prejudice against the taste of vegetables. It all hung on that first bite and she was a little nervous. Picking up the bottle of wine, she refilled both their glasses. “We need a toast.”
    “Good idea.” He acted relieved to be putting off the moment when he had to dig into that bowl. “I have one. To Beauty and the Broccoli.”
    She laughed because it was the kind of silly thing that was so Rylan. But once again he was implying that she was beautiful. She clinked glasses with him and drank. Then she raised her glass. “To Broccoli and the Beast.”
    He grimaced and touched his glass to hers. “That would be me, all right.” He took a swallow of wine. “It’s a wonder you’re still speaking to me.”
    “You haven’t been that bad.”
    “No, I have been that bad, but . . .” He glanced at her and waggled his eyebrows. “I’m going to turnip a new leaf. Lettuce begin.”
    She groaned.
    “What? It’s way pasta time for me to squash my mushrooming anger before Tony cuts my celery. From now on I’ll be cool as a cucumber and I’m gonna beet this –”
    “Stop, stop! Bring back the beast!”
    “Nope.” His eyes sparkled with laughter as he picked up his fork. “The beast is gone. We’ll have peas in our time.” He speared a broccoli floret and popped it in his mouth.
    She held her breath as she waited for his reaction.
    Chewing slowly, he closed his eyes, which displayed exactly how long and luxurious his eyelashes were. Then he swallowed and looked over at her.
    “ Well ?”
    He smiled. “Best broccoli ever.”
    “Woo-hoo!”
    “Hold on. I’m still not exactly in love with it.”
    “Are you at least in like with it?”
    “Yeah, definitely in like. I look forward to eating the rest.”
    She relaxed back onto her chair. “I count that as a win.”
    “Trust me, it is. I picked my most hated thing first.”
    “Brave of you.”
    “Oh, I have the courage of a lion, milady.” He paused, his fork suspended over his pasta bowl. “Are you going to eat or sit there and watch me chew?”
    “I’ll eat.” She picked up her fork. “Now that I’ve won the battle of the broccoli I feel much better.”
    “Coming up with this plan was genius, Miranda. Thank you.”
    “I’m glad I did.” She met his gaze.
    “Me, too.” He held the connection for a beat longer than a friend would. As his brown eyes darkened, he looked as if he might have something more to