Ryan retrieved the salt and handed it to Alec. “He does. You have to forgive him. He’s lost his social skills since moving to a remote island. His research means he spends most of his time in the past. I have to force him to interact with live people occasionally.”

“Research?”

“The good doctor is writing a naval history. He’s much in demand around the world as a lecturer and TV presenter, although I’ve never understood why the public would want to look at anything that ugly.” As expected, Alec didn’t rise, but Skylar looked interested.

“Doctor?”

“PhD, so don’t show him your war wounds. He only likes blood in the context of history.”

Alec put down his fork. “Last time I looked, I was actually sitting here at the table with you. You could include me in the conversation.”

“I could, but I’m worried you might lower the mood.” Marriage wasn’t something Ryan gave much thought to, but spending time with Alec had convinced him that it was better to be single than married to the wrong person. By all accounts his short relationship had more in common with cage fighting than romance.

Skylar pushed her bowl of fries toward Alec. “Help yourself.”

“You can’t finish them?” Alec threw Ryan a brief “I told you so” look that Skylar intercepted.

“Of course I can finish them, but you look cross, and I’m wondering if your bad mood is because you’re hungry. I’m evil when I’m hungry.”

Alec tightened his mouth. “I’m not in a bad mood.”

Ryan stole one of Skylar’s fries. “You should eat your food, Alec. It’s good advice.”

“If you don’t want them, then I’ll eat them.” Sky pulled the bowl back and ate as if it were her last meal. “These are delicious. How do you make them?”

Ryan thought about the oil. “You probably don’t want to know.”

“If I didn’t want to know I wouldn’t have asked.”

“They’re double fried. It makes the outside extra crispy.”

“Full of calories,” Alec said pointedly, and Ryan saw Skylar smile.

“That explains why they’re so good. You haven’t eaten yours. You should. They’re incredible.”

Alec finally looked properly at Skylar. His gaze traveled from the top of her shiny, glossy hair, down her slender frame and lingered on her fingers, still dipping into her bowl of fries.

She licked her fingers, not provocatively but unselfconsciously, and Ryan felt Alec tense beside him.

“I don’t stereotype people. I’m a good judge of character.”