The girl’s gaze slid over Legs before it settled on him. Her smile brightened. “What can I get you?”
Legs snorted.
Pretending not to notice, he returned the girl’s smile, keeping it polite because A, flirting with a waitress wouldn’t help his cause, and B, jail bait. He inclined his head toward Legs. “Ladies first.”
“Huh? Oh, sure.” Blushing, Ivy pivoted toward Legs. “Sorry, what would you like?”
“I’ll have the double swiss mushroom burger, large rings, and a large vanilla milkshake.”
Where’s she going to put all that?
She must have read his surprise because she shrugged again with a look that said, “I dare you to judge me.”
“I’ll have the same, except make my shake strawberry.” As soon as the waitress scurried off to the kitchen, he patted his stomach. “I hope it’s worth it, ’cause I might have to add a few miles to my morning run.”
Legs’ gaze flickered to his abs, then toward the fogged-up window for a long moment. Her reflection stared back at her, her expression pinched into a frown. Was she questioning why she was here, talking herself out of staying to hear him out? He wished he could read her mind so he could get ahead of her concerns.
She turned abruptly from the window. “Can I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
“Why are you doing this?”
“It’s simple really.” Avery tugged at his tie and released the top button of his dress shirt. “Since my brother Spencer got married and Marcus got engaged, my mother has decided I should be next. My sister-in-law and soon-to-be have joined forces with her, and they’re making my life a living hell. I can’t even turn around without tripping over one of the sacrificial virgins they’re throwing at me. Most of them are daughters of clients or family friends, which could potentially lead to social suicide or loss of business.”
Smarting just a bit about the virgin comment, she snapped, “Because you’ll cheat.”
“Because I’m not looking for a relationship, and sooner or later, they’ll want one. Too messy.” Resting his forearms on the table, he leaned forward. “And just to clarify, I don’t cheat.”
She snorted. “I’ve never met a man who doesn’t.”
“I’m sure that’s an exaggeration, but that explains a lot.”
Her head snapped up. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Only that you’re guarded.”And cynical and bitter and sexy as fuck when you’re mad. And maybe just a little broken.“Someone obviously hurt you.”
She opened her mouth, no doubt to argue, but snapped it shut as a plate piled high with a burger and onion rings slid in front of her. “Thank you.”
The aroma of both fried and grilled onions wafted around him, making his stomach growl as the server placed his meal in front of him. “I hope it tastes as good as it smells.”
“Best burger in Houston.” Legs pulled a handful of napkins from the dispenser. She handed them to him and went back for another handful for herself. “Can I get some ketchup, please?”
“Sure.” The girl set their shakes at the edge of the table. Her hands fluttered over her apron as she turned to Avery. “Do you need anything else?”
“No, thank you”—he glanced at her name tag—“Ivy. Other than a to-go box later, I’m good.”
With another blush and a smile, she bobbed her head and moved on to another customer.
“You can remember her name, but not What’s Her Name’s?”
Tapping the spot over his heart, he inclined his head at the girl. “Life would be so much easier if everyone wore name tags.”
Legs rolled her eyes.
Avery unbuttoned the cuffs of his shirt and rolled up his sleeves as he watched Legs bite into the massive burger. Her eyes closed, and the hum of pleasure emanating from her slender throat reached under the table to caress his balls.
Fuck. He stifled a groan and shifted to make room for his dick. “Where were we?”
