Barrett scowled at Ty, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he motioned for me to give the cashier my order. The growling of my stomach outweighed my rational mind, and I ended up ordering a Caesar salad, lasagna, and a chocolate chip cannoli.

Part of me expected Barrett to make some asinine remark about me not watching my figure. After all, he usually dated willowy girls, ones my petty side would have called stick-figures-with-no-souls, but he didn’t even blink an eye.

After our order was ready, we took it over to a somewhat secluded booth in the corner, and I couldn’t hide my surprise when Ty bypassed us for a table next to the door. “Does he always do that when you’re out with women?”

Barrett nodded as he sat down. “He’s being paid to protect me, not throw a cold one back.”

“I know. It just seems odd considering you’re friends.”

With a shrug, Barrett replied, “It’s just the way we do things.” After taking a bite of pizza, an amused look twinkled in his eyes. “You sure are concerned about Ty. Am I going to have to worry about you hitting on him behind my back?”

“Of course not! Why would you even suggest that?”

“Cause I can tell you’re hot for him.”

With a roll of my eyes, I began cutting up my salad a little more forcefully than necessary. “Just because I think he is an attractive man, that doesn’t mean I want to screw his brains out.” Okay, so maybe that was a tiny white lie. “Besides, not only am I a woman of my word, I just signed a binding contract to be your tried and true fiancée.”

“I believe you. More than that, I know Ty, and you aren’t his type.”

My eyes bulged. “Excuse me?”

“Easy there. There’s no need to get your panties in a twist because you think I’m insulting you physically, because I’m not.”

“Do enlighten me then.”

“Ty’s a protector. It’s why he entered the military and why he went into security. He isn’t drawn to strong, independent women like you. He wants to find someone he can save.”

“That’s very commendable of him.”

“He’s a good guy.”

“And very profound of you to be able to see.”

Barrett grinned at me over his beer mug. “I can be very deep.”

“Don’t ruin the moment.”

“Okay. Fine. Tell me something.”

“As long as it isn’t sexual.”

Barrett snickered. “Not this time.” After swiping his mouth with a napkin, he asked, “How exactly does someone who has been raised in the jungles decide to become a political science major?

“I wasn’t raised in the jungles, as you say. Sure, I spent my summers in foreign countries, but the rest of the year was here in the States. And we weren’t always out in the jungle.”

“I stand corrected, but still, it certainly had to shape who you were and what you wanted to do.”

I nodded. “We saw a lot a poverty both here and in other countries. I wanted to find a way to help them. Since I get nauseous at the sight of blood, I knew I couldn’t be a doctor or a nurse. Then, freshman year, there was a political rally on campus for one of the candidates running for governor. Standing there watching all the people, I knew I’d found a way to help people. I could put my support behind the politicians who would help them.”

“You haven’t ever gotten disillusioned?”

I shrugged. “Sometimes. In the end, I just try to focus on the good that has been done, rather than what hasn’t.”

“And that’s how you ended up as the volunteer coordinator for my dad’s campaign?”

“Actually, that happened because I desperately needed a job.”

With a frown, Barrett said, “That’s it?”

“Well, it’s a long and somewhat seedy story that led me to your dad’s campaign.”

His blue eyes lit up. “I’ve got all night.”

I laughed. “Only because you like the idea of something sordid.”

“You already know me so well.”

After drawing in a deep breath, I unburdened myself of the story of Walt and his father. When I finished, Barrett slowly shook his head. “What a douchebag, or I guess I should say douchebags.”

“That’s interesting coming from you.”

“Hey, I’ll have you know I’ve never cheated on a woman,” he protested.

“Is that out of moral responsibility or the fact that you never date one long enough to cheat?”

“Touché,” Barrett murmured with a smile.

I pushed my half-empty lasagna plate aside and moved my cannoli in front of me. “That looks good,” Barrett remarked.

“Yeah, it does,” I murmured before taking a bite. At his continued covetous stare at the dessert, I laughed. “Would you like some?”

“Yeah.”

“Yeah? That the kind of manners your prep school taught you?” I teasingly asked.

Barrett glowered at me. “Please?”

“Much better.” After cutting off another bite, I brought my fork across the table to Barrett’s waiting mouth.

“Man, that’s good.” He barely finished chewing before he rose out of his seat.

“Where are you going?”

“To get us a dozen.”

I laughed. “Do you really think we need that many?”

“Maybe you can share some with Ty.”