The server hovered with a rag to wipe the splatter of beer on the table, but he motioned him away. He wiped the table dry with the napkins himself. He didn’t want Anza to be more embarrassed. Her cheeks were delightfully red as she looked across from him and saw the people on the next table watching her. The flush of colour spread to her face and neck.
“Are you alright?” he asked as she dabbed her cheeks and eyes with his handkerchief. Her coughing had stopped.
She nodded, looking mortified still. He grinned at her. He couldn’t help it. She looked so adorable with her red-rimmed eyes, the flush of high colour on her face and neck, defiance in her jawline. She looked incandescent with life.
“What do you think of the beer?” He tried to keep his face straight.
“It was painful, especially
