Page 119 of The Other Guy

“I have. I loved it. I took one of your self-defense classes. Figured it’d be good to know a little since I close up here sometimes.”

“You don’t walk to your car at night by yourself, do you?”

Her eyes widen and her dark blonde hair swooshes around her face when she shakes her head. “Oh, heck no. Kyle would fire me if I tried that. But, doesn’t mean it’s not good to be prepared.”

“It’s definitely good.”

“And my boyfriend, he comes and picks me up most nights.”

“Protective?”

Someone calls her name from the back corner and she gives a little irritated huff. “Aren’t most boyfriends?”

I smile at that.

The same person calls out, “Hey! I’m waiting here!”

She rolls her eyes and whispers, “This guy… he’s been in here before and is super obnoxious.”

I go on alert. “Do I need to step in?”

“Nothing I can’t handle. He just thinks he’s God’s gift.”

I look over to the direction she nodded her chin to and look to see if I recognize him. I didn’t even see him come in today and I’ve been here for a few hours working with Kyle.

“When did he get here?”

“Just like thirty minutes ago,” she says with a shrug. “He’s annoying but nothing more. I’ll go put in your order for mushrooms and see what he needs. Be back with your food in a bit.”

“You holler if you need me.”

“You got it, Jack. Thanks.”

“No worries.”

I watch the door for Sierra to arrive at the same time paying attention to the back corner to make sure the guy who clearly makes April a little uncomfortable isn’t being a dick. Maybe I’m overreacting, but it’s the nature of my job.

A few minutes later she returns with the chicken strips, plates for our appetizers, and two glasses of water, one with an orange wedge for Sierra and one with lemon for me. “Thanks, April.”

“You bet.”

I decide to wait to start eating until Sierra gets here and sit back, keeping my eye on the person who continues to call April over to his table.

Sierra’s coconut scent washes over me and I turn to see her slipping into the chair next to me. She leans over and plants a kiss on my lips. “Hey, babe.”

“Hey, you. I’m sorry. I didn’t even see you come in.”

“It’s okay. I just got here.” She looks pretty as usual, dressed in a pair of jeans with holes and a red hoodie with white strings and a pair of white canvas shoes. Her dark hair is up in a high ponytail. Cute. Sweet. Fun. All Sierra.

I give her another kiss, because I can and have a really hard time keeping my lips to myself, and April brings over our nachos. “Hi, Sierra. What can I get you to drink?”

“I’m really in the mood for a Bloody Caesar.”

“Comin’ right up. And Jack ordered some mushrooms, too. Anything else?”

“Onion rings?”

“You got it. I’ll go put that order in and be back with your drink as soon as I deal with,” she throws a thumb over her shoulder and rolls her eyes, “that one.”

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