"Well, thanks. I feel pretty important," Paul grinned back, genuinely - and what was that he felt? A twinge of happiness? The soothing, balmy breeze that ruffled his hair seemed to echo that twinge as well. But that was also something he couldn't help. Cassie had a really pretty smile.
He took the hint, however. "Do you want to come on the boat with me next weekend?" he asked. "It would be great. I'll have food too, I promise. Maybe not lasanga this time but something else." His smile grew wider at all of the questions. "I've lived here for about two years now? Well, I lived in California when I was younger - dad was stationed here - but I just decided to move back. Oh, and I recently read The Poison King, which is about the life of Mithradates, leader of the ancient Black Sea kingdom of Pontus, and he tried to overthrow the Roman Empire. Really fantastic, full of adventure and culture."
And it was no secret that his boat was his pride and joy. "My boat is a standard sailboat - a modern sloop, the rig is one mast and two sails. But I actually love scuba diving too. I want to take more advanced classes for it someday. Where have you been diving?"