What sort of wizardry did this man possess that he could make her instantly forget her desperate need to keep him at arm’s length?
“Come on, I’m hungry.” He took her hand, led her across the parking lot, and opened the front door for her.
They were hit with the sounds of people laughing, silverware clinking against plates, and seventies rock blaring from the jukebox.
Calliope was standing on a chair in the back right corner, waving her arms. Her eyes dropped to their joined hands, and a big smile broke across her face.
Luna snatched her hand from his and headed toward their friends. No sense giving them the wrong idea.
“We saved you guys a couple of seats.” Lucas lifted his fiancée down from the chair and plopped her onto the seat next to him.
“He’s so sexy when he’s being all manly,” Calliope teased and kissed his cheek.
“You’re a menace to society, you know that?” He kissed the side of her neck.
“Maybe.” She tilted her head to one side, giving him better access. “But I’myourmenace to society.”
“Damn right, you are.” He gave her a kiss and settled onto his own chair.
They made no effort to hide their feelings. Luna envied their complete, one hundred percent trust in each other. Personally and professionally.
She trusted her work friends and her family with her life. The list of people she trusted with her feelings was much shorter. Her therapist assured her that was completely normal, all thingsconsidered. She also said there comes a point in life where you just have to take a leap of faith.
Boone pulled out a chair for her.
“Thanks.” She noticed he’d tucked her between him and Eddie—where she would be safe.
“You bet.” He sat down, grabbed a couple of menus from the stack on the table, and handed one to her. “I’m starving.” He scanned the menu. “What’s your favorite thing to order here?”
“I like the Flying Elbow Drop Caesar salad with grilled chicken.” A ridiculous name for a salad, but it was perfectly suited to the wrestling-themed tavern. “Sometimes I like to mix it up by having salmon instead of chicken.”
The owner was a retired professional wrestler who’d competed against some of the biggest names in the business: Hulk Hogan, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, the Undertaker, The Rock, and a bunch of other guys. He was about the size of a bear and quite the character.
“I’m thinking of going with the Championship Belt Burger.” Boone closed his menu and set it down. “Fully loaded, of course.”
“Of course.” Luna laughed and actually felt herself relaxing.
From everything she’d witnessed, Boone really was a nice guy, and he’d clicked with the rest of the group almost immediately. Not an easy thing to do with a bunch of alpha-type high achievers. But he was confident and highly skilled himself, as well as laid-back and extremely likable.
It was theextremely likablepart she was having a difficult time resisting.
Then why are you?
“Relax, Luna.” Boone leaned close and lowered his voice for her ears only. “I don’t want anything from you but friendship.”
Just friendship. Great. Good. That should make her feel more comfortable, yet she was oddly disappointed.
She started to explain, “It’s just that … well, I—”
“You guys ready to order?” The server stood across from them and was setting glasses of water in front of each person at their table. “Or do you need some time?” She slipped an electronic tablet from her apron pocket.
She may have directed the question to both of them, but her attention was firmly on Boone.
“I’d like the Flying Elbow Drop Caesar with grilled chicken, please.” Luna flipped the menu shut and handed it to her.
And still, the server never looked at her—she was radar-locked on the man next to her. Not that Luna could blame her—hewasa feast for the eyes.
“And what can I get for you?” Her eyes traveled over Boone, and her smile was less of a smile and more of an invitation to jump her bones.
