"It's free refills, so drink all you want." Garrett sits back in his chair and smiles at me. I return a closed lip smile, feeling a bit awkward again. "Are you enjoying working at the coffee shop?"
"Yeah, I like it. It's nice to have a job where the weekends are free. Most of my jobs have been six or seven days a week."
"That's not good," Garrett says. "You need some time to rest."
"Rest isn't really a thing I know of."
"I assume you're living alone, right?" I nod my head.
"I left home when I was seventeen and I've been on my own since."
"Seventeen, really?" Garrett seems shocked by this, but I just nod my head. I'm not about to trauma dump on him and tell him about my childhood. "And you've been living in the same place since?"
"No." The waitress calls out our number and Garrett stands to get the food, motioning for me to stay seated. When he sets it on the table, my mouth starts to water. It looks amazing and I have no idea what I'm going to start with. A stack of napkins are placed between our trays. The waitress brings a bowl of water for Riley, along with two treats that she hands to Garrett.
"Enjoy your food," she says with a smile. We both thank her and I turn back to my food.
"I don't even know what to start with," I say honestly. I look at Garrett, who is eyeing my plate.
"Take a small bite of each thing and make your decision from there," he says. "Just be careful with the mac and cheese because it's always hotter in the middle. And the cobbler will be last."
I try to hide a laugh, but fail and Garrett looks at me with a slight head tilt. "You just went full Daddy on me, there."
"Sorry. Habit, I guess."
"It's fine," I say. I take a bite of the pulled pork and chew slowly. Garrett's laughter has me looking up from my plate.
"I would ask your thoughts, but the noise you just made tells me."
I finish chewing quickly and swallow. "That's embarrassing."
"I'm not judging." He says with a smile. "It's a compliment to the food."
We eat in silence for a few more minutes. I do as Garrett suggested and take a bite of each food. The brisket is insanely delicious, and the cheesy potatoes create a string when I pull a piece away. I laugh to myself as I twirl my fork over and over to wrap the cheese around the tines. But the food is phenomenal. It isn't until I'm done with the third bite that I look back up at Garrett. He's chewing his own food, but smiling.
"Sorry. I haven't eaten something this good in a while."
"It's not a problem," Garrett says. "We can always get something else if you want more."
"Oh no, this is perfect. Thank you. I really appreciate it."
The silence settles between us again, but this time it isn't as awkward as it's been. We both eat and I smirk when I see Garrett sneak a piece of meat to Riley. He gives me a wink and there's a flutter in my stomach in reaction.
Chapter Six
"Garrett,pleaseunlockthedoor."
"Not until you agree," he says smugly. I narrow my eyes at him. He smiles back. The dick.
The nice dick that just paid for a delicious dinner and then convinced me to get ice cream at the place two doors down.
Now, he has me locked in his car until I agree to dinner with him again tomorrow. So, I say again, the dick.
"I'm not going to let you treat me like a charity case." I look straight out the windshield and cross my arms over my chest.
I hear Garrett sigh. "This is not a charity case thing. I'm asking you out. On a date."
I turn my head to look at him again. I study his eyes, watch his mouth. Surely, there will be a smirk, a twitch of his nose to tell me he's lying. But there's nothing. He just stares back.
