Page 5

A quick glance at his face tells me that he felt it, too, because there's a fire in his eyes that wasn't there before. A hunger almost, but I don't think it's for pancakes.

“I really should get back to—“

“Would you like to—“

We both start at the same time. AWKWARD.

He nods. “Ladies first.”

“I, um. I was just gonna say I really should get back to work.” My hands twist and toy with the fabric of my apron, trying to expel the nervous energy.

“I can see that you are very busy,” he smirks.

"Well, obviously we're not that busy," I quickly retort.

He glances around the room.

"Okay, so we're not busy at all. But, I really should let you finish your food. And, as you so politely pointed out, there's a lot of it, and it's growing colder by the second. So please, by all means, dig in." I motion to his "breakfast buffet" and start to make my way back to the kitchen.

"Dig in? I can't ever recall having been instructed to dig in," he calls after me, but I keep walking.

He keeps talking, "But maybe that's because I've never ordered a feast of this magnitude. Is that what it requires to tackle this challenge, digging in?"

Now, I'm stopped in my tracks. I'm assuming it's his attempt at a joke, but I'm a little too flustered to be playful. My mind is still trying to wrap around the zing I felt when my skin connected with his.

Turning, I march myself back to the table. "Very funny. You asked me to recommend something and I did. Would you like to send it back and order something else?" I offer politely, my smile syrupy sweet and dripping with sarcasm.

"No, this looks fantastic. I'm very much looking forward to it." His eyes never leave mine, but the flush I feel ripple through me makes me sure he has another pair of eyes. A second pair that are appraising my body, slowly, from head to toe. The heat from his gaze, coupled with hearing those words fall from his lips, does things to me, panty-dropping things.

I usually have an incredible ability to read people, but his demeanor and his behavior are so contradictory, I'm thrown off.

"Well, if I can't get you anything else, I'm gonna run back to the kitchen and check something. Enjoy your meal." Headed to the back, I grab my mug off the counter, needing a fix. I take a sip to find it’s cooled off all right. It's downright cold.

Dumping it into the sink, I managed to splash some all over my white apron.

"Shit!"

"Wow. Look at you, all flustered." Vince gives me an amused glance, his big arms crossed over his big belly. Barely.

"Hold your tongue old man," I tease, pouring myself a fresh cup, not even bothering to wipe my apron. "Just tired…that's all."

"Umm, hmm." He shakes his head, letting me know I'm not fooling him.

"Why don't you take your break and join him," he continues. Wow! What? Nosy much?

"You're worse than Dottie!" I swat at him with the dishtowel in my hand.

At the mention of his wife, his face lights up. "In fact," he says, turning to busy himself cleaning the grill, "haven't seen a girl blush like that since the first time I asked her out."

"I'm leaving now." Rolling my eyes, I retreat to the sound of metal scraping and his hearty laugh. Wish I had some Bailey's for this coffee.

Standing behind the counter, I sip my coffee, studying the sexy stranger. His back is to me, so he can't see. I use this to my advantage and notice he's taken off his jacket now. I can see his back and broad shoulders barely contained beneath the white dress shirt. His hair is cut so perfect and fresh he must get it trimmed every couple weeks. Why do I even care about this man's grooming habits? Just when I'm about to go and see if he needs a refill, he speaks up.

"Care to join me? I can assure you the view is better from the other side of the booth."

I look up to find him watching me watch him in the reflection of the diner windows.

Earth, please open up and swallow me now.