
“How old do I look?”
“Young enough that I should ask.”
She grinned. “I’m twenty-six.”
He did the math. “So you haven’t had a boyfriend in four years?” He found that absolutely impossible to believe. What on earth was wrong with the men of Colorado?
“Not a steady one.” She gave a little lift of her chin. “How about you?”
“I’ve never had a boyfriend.”
She threw an elbow to his rib cage. “You know what I mean, Lucky.”
He steadied her arm with his hand as she rocked back. “Nobody serious.”
She resettled her bare feet on the picnic-table bench. “Since when?”
He reluctantly removed his hand from her arm, shrugging as he took in the glinting copper polish on her toenails. Sexy. How had he missed that up to now? “Since forever.”
“You’ve never been in love?”
“I’ve never been in love,” he confirmed. He’d never had the time. Not that he’d be likely to recognize it if it happened. He’d had no role models, no examples of romantic love in his formative years. He supposed he loved Alex like a brother. But that was a completely different thing.
“Me neither,” said Doll-Face. She contemplated the fireworks display for a minute. “But both of my sisters are in love.”
“You have two sisters?”
“And two brothers.”
“Are your parents still together?”
Her expression faltered for a second, but then she nodded, voice a little quieter. “Yes, they are. And they’re still very much in love.”
“Sounds like a perfect family.” Reflexive resentment flickered inside Zach. But he quickly tamped it down. He wouldn’t wish his tough childhood on anyone, least of all this delightful, beautiful creature in front of him.
She laughed. “We’re a long, long way from perfect. But there’s a wedding coming up. A double wedding.”
“Both sisters?” he guessed.
“I’ll be the maid of honor.” Then she sniffed and wrinkled her nose. “And me, the oldest.”
