I feel myself blush. “That’s crazy.”
“It’s true.”
“I haven’t changed my looks since the other night, Hunter.”
“Harper—”
“And you still kicked me out of your bed,” I remind him, feeling the pain from that simple truth as if it just happened yesterday.
“I think we’ve covered the fact that I’m a stupid asshole,” he grumbles.
“Mm,” I hum.
“We said no looking back. Remember? We’re starting over.”
I stare at him. I know my defenses are firmly in place, but it’s still hard. I want to do whatever it takes to keep him in mylife.Which is just pathetic.“Okay,” I finally answer—not sure if I truly mean it.
“Good, now, how was your filet?” he asks, studying me.
“Great,” I answer pushing my plate away.
“Maybe I should have taken you to the Depot,” he mutters, talking about the restaurant on Main Street.
We’re just finishing our dinner at Remi’s. Remi’s is a bar and grill at the end of town. The tables are distressed wood painted black, the chairs are mismatched and different colors. The floors are wood, too. They’re worn and distressed. That along with the high ceilings and decor that looks as if it came straight out of an antique shop in Texas, makes the place comfortable and relaxing. It’s actually my favorite place to eat. Well, besides David’s—which is more like a buffet and something the guys love. The food is okay there, nothing extra, but the all-you-can-eat thing appeals to everyone—especially Gordo.
“Hush. This is actually my favorite restaurant. So, you did good.”
“It’s mine, too. Though I don’t come here often. If I’d known you did, that would have changed.”
“I don’t come here much either. I rarely eat out to be honest. Well, unless the guys at the garage demand it. Otherwise, I just cook at home. I enjoy it because I used to do it for Dad. In some ways, cooking makes me feel closer to him. It kind of reminds me of the time we used to spend together.”
“You and your dad were close,” he states, his gaze raking over me. It feels like he’s trying to figure me out. The thought makes me want to laugh. Heck, I can’t even do that. I confuse the hell out of myself.
“Super close. It was always just him and me. A lot of single dads would have let me fall through the cracks. He never did. Dad always put me first. I think he felt guilty because he didn’t really know what to do with a girl. I loved the life he gave me.It was beautiful. He taught me everything he knew about cars as well as encouraging my interest in painting. He died proud of me and never a day went by that he didn’t know I loved him, and I didn’t know that I was his world.
“That’s beautiful,” he whispers, his face soft and I can tell he really does like that I had that. It makes me smile.
“Well, I’ve met your Dad. I daresay he’s made it known he cares about you and he’s proud, too.”
Hunter shrugs. “Izzy and I have always known we’re loved,” he answers mentioning his sister. “Although, they sucked at naming their kids.”
I giggle. “I take it you don’t like your name.”
“Babe, seriously? I used to beat kids up daily in school because of my damn name. Who in the fuck wakes up and says I’m going to name my kid Bartholomew?”
“A man named Bartholomew?” I hazard a guess. He grunts in reply. “Well, you also got the name Hunter and it’s beautiful.”
“I’m glad you think so, but you’re the only one that calls me that. Everyone else calls me BB, because the Bartholomew fuck up wasn’t enough. Dad had to compound it by calling me Bad Bart.”
I should stop my giggling, but I can’t. “That really is absurd.”
“Sure, you can laugh, but just saying, baby, that shit stuck and willnotgo away.”
“I think BB is kind of cute.”
“I’d rather you find me irresistible, even cocky is better than cute.”
“Well, you are cocky, but cute is good. Tom Cruise is cute. Look how much money he’s made from it.”
