Claire rolled her eyes. Adam was more or less right, of course. More or less any pamphlet, or guidebook, or website about New Zealand stressed the importance of rugby union as their national sport, and the status of the All Blacks as being as close to living gods as it was possible to be. However, Adam's strange description of why he favoured light chainmail piqued her interest again, and she filed it away for future reference. It definitely felt as though his interest was more than just a hobby. "And would that be a practical hobby, or more theoretical?" She wasn't sure which answer she was expecting.
Claire couldn't help but laugh at Adam's reasoning around why she was a woman "who does". "I'd like to think so," she said, a light smile and twinkle in her eyes returning the flirt. No matter what she did, Claire didn't seem to be able to not flirt with this man. Maybe it was his good looks, or his easy charm, but she didn't think so. There was something unusual about Adam Pierson that set him apart.
"Will I, now?" Claire's voice held a challenge, and her eyes sparkled with amusement. She liked steak as much as the next person, but would rather eat chicken, given the choice. A dark sadness flickered across her face as Adam seemed to recognise and understand how she had felt at that time. Going to Brisbane on her own would have been preferable to going with Hahona, in the end.
Shaking her head, Claire grinned. "So you're the proverbial bad penny," she chuckled. "Well, you can keep turning up as far as I'm concerned." He had brightened her day somewhat, and not because of the x-ray machine. He was easy and fun to talk to, even if he did seem a little eccentric, but she could deal with that. She'd enjoyed the little distraction over the last half hour or so, and, surprisingly, wished that it could carry on.
Claire noticed the threat of an apology over Adam's face, although she wasn't quite sure why, and then he pulled the rug out from underneath her. "A date," she asked, her voice laced with surprise. This was the last thing she had expected, especially from a bloke so much younger than she was. Conflicting emotions raced through her: was he too young to go out with? Could she really go on a date with someone she'd just met? He's so young...
"I'd love to."
Claire shocked herself with her answer, the words just tumbling out unbidden, to quickly to stop herself. "I'd love to," she repeated, her tone softer. "When were you thinking?"