I found a seat at one of the empty booths and swept my gaze around the dining area. Despite its simple name, the place had a rustic yet modern feel to it. The walls were a rich, dark wood, dotted with scenic photos of the area and whom I assumed were locals. Large TV screens mounted on the walls captured the attention of the other two patrons inside. I searched the room for someone to take my order, my hunger getting the best of me as my leg bobbed under the table.
“I’m so sorry.”
My head swiveled in the direction of a friendly, deep timbre.
“I was in the back and didn’t realize you walked in. What can I get you?” The man attached to the voice made his way toward me. Even in my acutely pissy mood, I sucked in a short gasp. My weary gaze roamed upward as it swept over the trimmed sandy brown scruff covering a chiseled jaw, blue eyes that, even in the dim lighting, seemed translucent, tussled hair in that he-probably-made-no-effort-with-but-fell-into place-like-magic way. The whole package was so unnervingly perfect, I blinked and cleared my throat, positive I was caught gawking.
To be this attracted to a stranger after just breaking up with my boyfriend of two years, regardless of the circumstances, seemed wrong.
“Could I please see a menu?” The pathetic croak in my voice made my request seem like a plea.
My hollow belly sank at his apologetic wince.
“During the week, the kitchen closes at ten. I’m sorry—”
I cut him off with a groan before dropping my head into my hands.
“Of course, it does.” I rubbed my eyes with the heels of my palms before I began digging into my purse in the hopes of finding a granola bar or something to have with a beer.
“You look like you’ve had a long day.” He tilted his head, lifting an eyebrow as he searched my gaze.
“You could say that.” I stifled a frustrated sigh.
“Tell you what. I could make you something small. What would you like?”
“I couldn’t ask you to do that.” I waved him off and continued to hunt for food inside my purse. I’d even have settled for a Life Saver at this point.
“Sure, you could. I have some pull.” He grinned and rested his elbows on the top of the opposite seat of the booth. His easy smile made me forget my argument. I’d bet that smile made a lot of women forget a lot of things.
“If you could have one thing in the world right now, what would you want? Think bar food, though.”
He grinned, and, despite my desperation, I grinned back. I was either that tired or that hungry or he was that gorgeous.
“Mozzarella sticks.” I cringed when it came outmutzadellesticks. Usually, I forced outmozzarella,ricotta,ormanicottithe non-Italian way to avoid getting weird looks from non-Italian friends, but I guessed after the long day and night I’d had, putting a conscious effort into anything right now was an exercise in futility. “I mean, I’d like—”
A throaty chuckle fell from his lips before he nodded. “It’s okay. I have two Italian grandmothers. Nice to hear someone say it right for a change. I’ll be back in a few minutes. What would you like to drink?”
“Whatever beer is on tap would be great, thank you!”
My gaze fell to his black T-shirt and the threadbare jeans hugging his hips. Lucky jeans. He was built but not bulky, and I hoped he didn’t catch me staring at his arms. My friends used to tease me for having a biceps fetish, and his were perfect, right down to the delicious way they stretched his sleeves.
“You got it.” He made his way to the kitchen, my view of his back just as pleasing as the front.
I fell back in my seat, letting myself relax for the first time in hours. My phone finally stopped buzzing, I had a plate full of greasy calories headed my way, and I was somewhere where I knew no one, and no one knew me. That filled me with a confusing relief. I was one of those mysterious diners without a book or project to keep them company. It was just me and my thoughts as I waited for my food and beer.
“Feeling okay?” My waiter cast me a concerned glance as he placed the deep-fried goodness in front of me. I’d never been so happy to see food in my life and held myself back from shoving an entire stick into my mouth. My luck, I’d choke, and this new adventure I’d forced myself on would be for nothing.
“Thank you so much.” I grabbed a stick and took a bite, my eyes fluttering as the melted cheese hit my tongue. “I’m fine, it’s been a long day. I drove in from Brooklyn tonight. It was a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing.” I washed the first stick down with a mouthful of ice-cold beer and whimpered in delight.
“You must really lovemutzadellesticks.” The corners of his mouth lifted as he crossed his arms.God, those arms. Smooth, with a couple of veins trailing down to his wrists. My fingertips itched to find out if the dusting of hair over his forearms was as soft as it looked. Hunger was doing bad things to me.
“Tonight?” he asked after mulling over what I’d told him. “That’s a long drive for a spur-of-the-moment.”
“It’s a long, sad story I won’t bore you with. My friends are staying in a rental nearby starting on Sunday, so I figured why not start my vacation now?” I raised my beer glass in a salute.
“But, it’sThursday,” he said slowly as if I wasn’t aware.
“I’m staying at the Anchor until they get here. I’ll work a little by the pool tomorrow and then…maybe sit on the beach, check out your daytime menu. Possibilities are endless.”
