Tucker leans back in the booth.“This is Stunt.”Of course his name is Stunt.I should probably stop being surprised by biker names.
“Lucy,” I say, deadpan.
Stunt grins.“Yeah, I got that.”
I hold out the menus.“You both eating?”
“That’s usually why people come in,” Tucker challenges back with a smile.
I narrow my eyes at him.Stunt snorts into his coffee when I hand it over.“You always this friendly?”I ask Tucker.
“Only with you.”
The words hit me right in the chest.He says them casually.Like it means nothing and yet everything at the same time.It’s like we have been companions for years and this is our banter.
Which somehow makes it worse.I clear my throat and flip open my order pad.“What can I get you?”
“Burger,” Stunt says.“Fries.Sweet tea.”
Tucker doesn’t even look at the menu.“Same.”
I scribble it down quickly.“Coming right up.”Then I walk away before either of them can see the way my face is burning.
The next hour is torture.Not because they do anything wrong.Quite the opposite.Tucker sits there eating lunch and talking with Stunt in low, easy conversation while I move around the diner trying not to look at him every thirty seconds.
Trying not to notice how good he looks in daylight.
Trying not to remember the dream I had about him.
Trying not to be aware of him every second he’s in the room.
It is not going well.
At one point, I nearly pour decaf into the wrong mug because Tucker glances up right as I pass his booth, and my stomach flips so hard I lose all common sense.
Harold notices.Of course he does.“You all right, honey?”he asks.
“I’m fine.”
He grins into his coffee.“Uh-huh.”
I want the floor to open up and swallow me whole.When I finally bring Tucker and Stunt their check, Stunt leans back in the booth and folds his arms.
“So,” he says like we’re in the middle of a conversation already, “you coming to the spring festival?”
I blink.“The what?”I ask.
Tucker looks at him sharply.Stunt ignores him completely.“The Freedom Falls spring festival.This weekend.”
I glance at Tucker.
He looks annoyed at Stunt, not me.
“We haven’t discussed that,” he says flatly.
Stunt grins.“Seems like a great time to start.”
I should walk away.Instead I look at Tucker and ask, “Are you asking me to the spring festival?”
