He sighed and turned toward her, taking hold of her hand. “Actually, I’m serious. I don’t want to tell you what to do. I don’t want you to think I’m likehim. I want you to choose for yourself, just as you should be doing all the time.”
If her heart softened anymore it would turn to jelly. She squeezed his hand. “Thank you. But I think I will have a muffin.”
He lifted her hand to his mouth and briefly kissed her knuckles. “Great.”
An older lady, probably in her early to mid-fifties, with white hair bound up in a fishnet on top of her head, stopped by the table. She wore the customary waitress uniform that Denny’s required their staff to wear. Her smile was bright, especially when she saw Brad.
“Well, look who’s here. Hello, Bradley. I haven’t seen you in a while. Thought you might have forgotten about us.”
Brad turned and grinned. “Hello, Carol. How could I forget my favorite waitress?”
The woman took his menu and playfully whacked him on the shoulder. “Aww, you’re still just as sweet as ever, aren’t you?” She giggled. “But it won’t work this time. You’re going to have to pay for your meal today. As you can see, Sunday is our slowest day.” She swept her hand toward the empty tables.
Breanna blinked with wide eyes as she studied Brad’s profile. He really charmed Carol into a free meal? Amazing! Didn’t the waitress know how much money he had?
“Of course I’m going to pay, you silly girl. I have to make a good impression for my woman, here.” He grasped Breanna’s hand. “Carol, it’s my privilege to introduce you to Tyger.” He glanced at Breanna. “Tyger, this is the best waitress in the whole world, Carol.”
Brad’s words made Breanna feel special, and she was quite sure they made Carol feel the same. The glow on the other woman’s face said it all. For once, it was nice to be with a man who was cheerful and appreciated things.
Carol shook her head. “Bradley, you’re such a flirt. It’s nice to meet you, Tyger. You are very lucky to be with this man. He’s very special. Hang onto him, won’t ya?”
Breanna was speechless for a second. Sure, she knew he was a special guy, but they weren’t together as he’d hinted. “Uh, sure. It’s nice to meet you, Carol.”
Brad gave Carol their orders and the older woman walked away. Once again, he turned his full attention on Breanna. It was rather nice. Scary thing was she could get easily used to this.
He adjusted in the seat and slid his arm on the back of the bench, which blocked Breanna from the aisle. She didn’t mind at all. It gave them more privacy.
Brad’s sweet gaze caressed her face, lingering on her mouth, before moving down her neck and to her shirt. His expression changed as he studied her jersey. Then he grasped her shoulders and turned her so he could read the back. When he switched her back around, his face lit up.
“You like baseball?” he asked.
“Yes. The Chicago Bullets are my favorite.”
“Really?” His grin widened. “What if I were to tell you that I know number 16, Cade Love?”
She nearly snorted with shock. Instead, she about lost her breath. “Are you kidding me? You know Cade?”
“Lightning Cade is his nickname.”
Excitement shot through her and she grasped his hand. “Cade is my brother.”
This time, the gasp came from him and his mouth hung open. “No way! He’s your brother?”
“Yes. Just ask him when you see him next.”
“But your last names are different.”
“Actually, he just took off the ending and usedLove.That was his agent’s suggestion.”
Brad studied her face again, and then his forehead crinkled. “He’s a dishwater blond. You’re a beautiful redhead.”
Her heart flipped again from his compliment. “I actually have darkauburnhair. But I inherited the color from my mother. Cade got our father’s hair color.”
Slowly, he shook his head. “I can’t believe it. When I’m in Chicago, I hang out with him and his teammates. But I don’t think he’s ever mentioned a sister...” He stopped short and his expression shifted. His eyes widened. “Hold on, I think he did mention a sister.”
Her chest filled with homesickness for her brother. “He did? What did he say about me?”
She waited for him to say something, but at the moment, all he wanted to do was stare at her. Gradually, his face softened.
