"Can I take you out to dinner then? I think maybe we should slow things down, spend some time together doing the so-called normal things." He clenched the table in both hands as he waited for her answer, and she'd bet he didn't even know he was doing it. The fact that she had the power to make him nervous made her want to forgive him all the more.
"I know a great barbecue place not too far away," she offered. "We wouldn't have to dress up or anything. Just throw on some flip-flops and go."
"You're asking a Texan to go to a barbecue place in South Carolina?" The teasing glint was back in his eyes and her heart lifted.
"Boy, you haven't tasted real barbecue until you've had Charleston barbecue." She stood and shook out her mostly dry hair. "Come on. Tonight you can drive and I'll buy dinner." She hoped he recognized an olive branch when he saw one. And a test. Could he stand to let her buy dinner?
"Yes ma'am." He drained his glass and stood. "Anything you want."