Page 64 of Axe Marks the Spot

“Hey, kid.”

“We were just talking about you,” Kas says.

Dane softly smiles, his gaze settling on me in the intense way it does. Now I feel like I’m naked and under a microscope. I didn’t dress up to come here. I’m not wearing any makeup, and I’m in a plain T-shirt and a pair of shorts made from stretchy material. Had I known I’d run into him, I would’ve at least put on some mascara.

“Were you?” he asks.

“Yeah, I told my mom you’re less treelike than my Uncle Fox.”

I press my lips together to hold in an embarrassed laugh, but Dane looks amused, the skin around his hazel eyes crinkling. “Am I now?”

“Yep.” Kas grins before popping a fry in her mouth as if what she said is completely normal.

Dane’s focus shifts to me, and he puts his hands in his pockets. I try to keep my attention off his forearms, but by doing that, I’m now focused on his face. His bearded jaw, that perfect freaking nose, and pretty eyes I can and do get lost in.

That’s my good girl.

Inexplicable heat rises in my body, and I feel ashamed. Now is not the right time to think of that. Not in public. Not with Kas here. Actually, I should never think of it again. Ever.

“Dane!”

Both Dane and I look toward the source of the voice. It’s one of the waitresses, Cheryl, and she’s smiling as she walks toward us. She’s a nice woman. Thin, blond, beautiful, younger than me, and a local. I’ve never had a problem with her, and I like her. But the way she’s looking at Dane makes my skin itch. Do they know each other well?

My eyes study Dane’s profile as she walks over with a bag in her hand. His eyes don’t light up, and he doesn’t smile. His face is neutral, and while it should satisfy me, it just makes me annoyed. Not at him but at me for even caring what or who he does in his free time.

“I was going to bring your order out to you like usual, but it’s nice to see you come inside instead of handing you your dinner through your truck window.” She giggles.

Dane nods and takes the bag from her. “I wanted to pay off my tab.”

“Oh! Yeah, sure. Let me do that for you.”

I guess that explains why I’ve never seen him here before. He doesn’t usually come inside, which probably means my jealousy is for nothing. Again, not that I have any right to be jealous. I do wonder, though, as I look at the way Cheryl stares at him, if she follows him on Loopr and knows what he does for a living.

“Thanks, Cheryl.” He reaches in his pocket and hands her cash from a dark leather wallet.

She looks surprised but takes it, looking at me then back to him before she says, “Thanks. Do you need change?”

“I’m good.”

“Okay, then.” She stares at him with a flirty smile, as if she’s waiting for him to say something, but he doesn’t. It’s stupid, but I’m happy he doesn’t flirt back. “See you next time.”

Dane nods and turns back so he’s facing me and Kas. Cheryl stares at his profile for a beat longer, and I swear she pouts at his easy dismissal. Before I can think about her reaction, she walks to another table, leaving the three of us.

“Are you going to eat alone, Logger Dane?” Kas asks.

I attempt not to laugh again at hearing Kas call Dane that to his face.

A hint of a smile plays at his mouth, and he nods. “Yes.”

“Eat with us.”

My eyebrows shoot up. Kas is friendly, always has been, but she’s never invited a near stranger to eat dinner with us. But as I observe her, it’s clear she’s as taken with Dane as I am—and in such a short amount of time.

“It’s okay, kid. You enjoy time with your mom.”

“Mom’s okay with it, aren’t you, Mom?”

I attempt to stop my cheeks from flushing at being put on the spot. Kas looks so hopeful, and I don’t want to deny her. It may be an awkward meal, but I’m not going to say no.