...
"You're biased against me for my darker skin." Yves King touched his slightly rough skin, roughened by long hours under the elements, which made him look weather-beaten. Despite his clear youth compared to Mabel Cooper, most people would assume he was older if they were seen together on the street.
"And why should a man be good-looking, anyway? If I had fair and soft skin, would I be expected to become a pretty boy?" Grumbling in protest against Mabel's accusation, Yves argued, "Besides, these pretty boys are only good in appearance, useless in reality."
"So you're actually useful?" Mabel cast him a flirtatious glance, her petite body leaning in on him, her cheeks blush, and she whispered seductively, "Tonight, I can pretend I'm working overtime. Will you accompany me for a drink? You heartless man, I was terrified on the cruiser that day. And you didn't even bother to comfort me."
