Poppy lowered her own menu, her tone timid. “I played that new puzzle game this morning. It’s wonderful.”
Wolfe’s expression instantly altered, softening in the wake of her attempt at civil conversation. “I’m glad you liked it. I took some of your suggestions into account and created it based on—”
“Hi, everyone. Welcome to Dormi’s.” The young woman with the high ponytail didn’t glance up, peering at her translucent mini-pad. “Do you know what you would like to eat and drink?”
And…she popped a bubble. Pink bubble gumpoppingwhile greeting us.
My lips trembled. This young lady hated her job. She wanted to get fired.
Rune started with our food order and drinks. And so on it went around the table.
Theron still stared at his menu, the last to order.
Quiet descended on our table. He didn’t speak.
Theron lifted his head and stared at her, waiting patiently for her to look up.
No one at our table broke the silence either. No one dared.
Not with the intensity in his eyes shining on the young woman.
She huffed a large breath, clearly aggravated. Her eyes snapped on him and her mouth opened with a surely snide comment. But she froze solid, and her jaw continued to hang open, her gaze running across each of his features. And…her gum fell out her mouth.
Theron didn’t look away from her as his right hand snapped out, palm up. With his bare flesh, he caught the piece of saliva coated pink gum in his hand. He cleared his throat pointedly when the poor dear only continued to stare at his face.
She blinked. “Um…”
Theron lowered his menu and grabbed a napkin from the middle of the table. He wadded the gum up in it and held it up to her. “I believe this is yours.”
A full flush bloomed on her cheeks, rising all the way to her hairline as she snagged it from his hand—careful not to touch him. “S-sorry.”
“That’s quite all right.” His lips curved up at the edges in a painfully handsome smile. Theron knew what he was doing too, dosing her with his charm. He rested back further on the booth, tipping his head just so, his dark eyes hitting the light shining in through the far windows, making them sparkle. “It happens more than you might imagine.”
Her mouth bobbed. Her gaze was caught on his. “I-is there anything you want to eat?”
“Oh, yes. But I’ll wait until it’s fully matured.”
She stared. And she didn’t get the implied meaning that was so obvious to everyone gawking at our table—and failing to hide it miserably. Her brows puckered, adorable on her features. “Excuse me?”
Without taking his eyes from her, he pointed to the menu. “I’ll take the Cobb salad, a small pepperoni, and coffee. Dark.”
Her eyes tore away from his to watch what she was typing on her mini-pad. She hesitated, and then mumbled, “I remember you. You gave me a stupid big tip.”
Theron leaned forward and clasped his hands on top of the table. “I remember you too.”
Her eyes darted up and narrowed momentarily. “You don’t need to tip that much. There is no added bonus for it.”
So…she wasn’t completely innocent in life.
His eyebrows raised just a smidge. “I would hope not.”
Her eyes narrowed more in obvious distrust, but she didn’t comment on the matter further. Instead, she grumbled, “Is this all on one ticket or separate tickets?”
“I’m paying,” he answered simply.
“Of course, you are.” She huffed and took a step back from the table, careful in her taunting with this man. “This is a big order, so it’ll take the cook a little while. I’ll bring your drinks back in a second, though.”
Theron nodded and sat back on the seat. “Thank you.”
