If Hayes had been eating, he would have choked. Fortunately, he hadn't yet picked back up the fork when it fell right out of her mouth like it'd been planted there by an angel. Or, more likely, some kind of demon. Hayes cleared his throat and went right for the glass of water, which he promptly drained and then wished he'd left a little behind.
He looked down at his plate and began to wonder how far in advance she planned these statements. Not long, he figured, but long enough.
“Where I'm from, you marry a girl before you quit being proper with her.” He picked up his fork, speared a cut-up piece of asparagus, and put it right in his mouth. And then, he hoped she wouldn't make him choke on it.