Heady and sweet. It makes me hungry for chocolate dipped macaroons.
"Maybe you can talk about that a little and the guy who inspired you to join the Marines. I mean, these kids all understand military stuff." I make a few notes on the paper. "They probably need a bit more of warm and fuzzy."
"Because I'm the warm-fuzzy type."
I roll my eyes. "You can connect with normal people without going all gooey."
He chuckles.
"And without ordering them around," I add.
"It bothers you."
I glare at him. "Really? You're just now figuring that out?"
He doesn't answer, but there's amusement in his dark gaze that makes me think he's messing with me this time. I'm not sure what to think about him teasing me.
I finish making notes then hand it to him.
"Thanks," he says, reading it.
Whatever. "It's fine if you toss it."
"Why would I?"
"People don't like listening to me."
"Because your delivery sucks. Not because you don't have something worth listening to. If you stopped nagging and yelling, you might find people listen better."
My mouth drops open.
His attention is on the paper.
"You are such an ass," I manage, unable to come up with a better line.
"I'm an honest ass."
I lean back, too angry to respond. I'm not sure how else to show I care for Petr and help others, other than to nag. It's the only thing that works on people like my brothers and father. Crossing my arms, I turn my gaze to the ceiling.
Captain Mathis scribbles a few more notes into the outline I created for him. I'm sorta surprised he's considering it. He seems too … rigid to be open to change.
When he's finished, he replaces it in his pocket. We return to the weird quiet and thick tension, simply staring at each other.
I really hope the rest of today passes faster. I'm pretty sure these team-building exercises are going to kill me.