"What are you doing here?"she asked, voice softer now that her heart rate was slowing down.
He hesitated for half a second."Wanted to see you."
Warmth rushed through her so fast she had to look away.Her stomach fluttered, and goosebumps broke out on her arms despite wearing the oversized sweatshirt.She set the knife down and crossed her arms, trying to hide the way her pulse jumped when he was around.
"Well...I'm not going to the party."She met his gaze."I already told Hannah that I'm staying in.I'm tired."
He nodded once, like that was exactly the answer he'd hoped for."Lie down and get off your feet," he said, jerking his chin toward the bed."Tell me about your day."
She blinked."My day?"
"Yeah."
It was strange to have someone ask about her day.At one time, her mom used to ask her how school was that day, but since she graduated and went to work, no one has asked her.She climbed onto the bed.It was the only place to sit, except for the hardback chair in the corner.
She pulled her legs under her and started talking.About the breakfast rush.About Patty teaching her how to balance the plates in a different order.About the regulars who tipped well and the ones who didn't.
Patty has the diner divided into two parts, so whoever I work with will handle one side of the room, and I'll take the other.Each day, the side I work on can change.It's up to Patty where we go.That way, we don't hog the good tippers and piss off the other waitress, which is chill.I've had to deal with some real bitches before."She yawned."But Hannah and Madison seem nice and low-key.
He listened.
Really listened.
After a few minutes, he stretched out beside her, one arm behind his head, boots hanging over the bed.He lay there like it was the most natural thing in the world.
When she finished, she nudged him lightly."Your turn.What did you do today?"
"Duke nearly dropped a bike lift on his foot."He grinned, and the ease of that smile was beautiful."I spent most of the day in the garage.We have a sixty-eight Mustang from this older guy who wants a completely new paint and upholstery job.I hadn't worked on such a nice body in years.It'll take time away from everything else I need to do before I can complete her, but it's going to look prime afterward."He sighed in appreciation."Anyway, I worked in the garage until four.After that, I came to the diner and then returned to the clubhouse, where Baker was threatening to walk out of the kitchen if the members kept going in and trashing his area.Turned out he was yelling at Hunter."He chuckled."If you don't know, Hunter's deaf but can read lips if he looks at you.He wasn't looking at Baker."
She yawned."How old are you?"
"Forty-two."
"Hm."
"Probably seems old to you, huh?"
"Not really," she whispered."Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"What's your real name?"
"Will Baddock."
She sighed, rolling the name on her tongue.That's where the name Baddy came from.
"I got you something," he said.
"What?"
"A throwaway phone."He shifted and dug into his back pocket, placing a cell phone on the end table."My number is programmed on it in case you need me."
"I...thanks," she murmured.
Without taking a breath, he launched into telling her he needs to remember to put oil in his bike tomorrow.His voice was low and steady, rumbling through the quiet room.His affection for his MC brothers was evident in the way he found amusement in their company.
She tried to keep her eyes open.
