“Didn’t eat all day. Too busy baking.” I felt more pieces of my hair peel up. I was going to look like an Oompa Loompa once Hunter saw me in the light.
“I did have one more thing for you,” Hunter said, pulling a small box out of his jacket pocket. He opened it up. Inside was a delicate gold chain, and hanging from it was a small five-leaf flower studded with pink and white diamonds. They sparkled in the streetlamp light.
“That’s really pretty,” I said, breathing in. “I love it.”
“I thought it might go with your dress.” He plucked the necklace out of the case and leaned over to hang it around my neck.
“No!”
He jerked back.
“I’ll… er… I’ll do it,” I told him.Way to go, Meg. You finally go on a nice date after years of being taken to creeks or the pet fish store or the guy with the feral cats in his car. And you can’t even act like a normal person.
The anxiety was making the sweat worse. I longed to scratch my scalp with my fingernails, especially the part where the hair was missing.
I quickly fastened the necklace on. “It’s beautiful,” I said sincerely. “I love it.” I tried to fan myself secretively as Hunter drove me to the Girl Meets Fig restaurant.
I was hot and itchy, and I needed a drink, and I hoped Zoe was still serving the fried squid and spicy dipping sauce.
“So, who was that brother in all the leather?” I asked to break up the awkward silence.
“No one.”
“Seriously?” I peered at him, using the excuse to press my hand to my head.
“Crawford was just in town.” Hunter’s mouth was pressed into a thin line.
“Oh? For what?”
“Nothing.”
“I mean…”
“It’s not important.” Hunter’s hands were gripped on the steering wheel. He found a parking space a few doors down from the restaurant. It was crowded when we walked in—it seemed a lot of townspeople had wanted to go out for dinner Friday night.
Zoe was harried, racing around to seat people. Minnie, who was waitressing, was toting a large tray of fried squid.
“Yes. I’m getting all of that.”
“Be with you in a second, Meg,” Zoe called. Then she stopped and almost dropped the waters she was carrying. “And… Hunter?”
His hand was on my waist.
“Can we sit on the roof?” he asked.
Zoe’s mouth dropped open. All conversation in the restaurant stopped as everyone stared at us.
“You’re here together?” Zoe asked slowly. “Like together, together?”
The crowd peered at us. Several people took out phones.
Shoot.
“Guess we should seal the deal,” Hunter said, a smile playing around his mouth. He cupped my face and kissed me. I melted against him.
“Now that sounds like I won a bet!” one woman announced.
“No!” Art said as Hunter released me. “You can’t say they’re back together. I told everyone here that we have to wait until they’ve moved in together or are married.”
