Page 27 of Possess

“Yes.” Rudy had been out of the office the last few days, so she hadn’t had to deal with him, and there hadn’t been any more changes to her files, so maybe IT had figured out the problem. She’d also told her boss they needed to discuss the city policy on fraternization, but Wes had been tied up in meetings.

Silence fell. She didn’t know what to talk about. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all. What did they have in common besides work and some books and movies? Dread settled in her stomach.

Once at the restaurant, Zeke parked the truck and helped her from it. Together, they walked into the restaurant.

“Hey, Zeke.” Tina gave him a smile.

“Hi, Tina. I made a reservation.”

The bubbly blonde looked down at the podium. “I have it right here. If you’ll follow me.” She grabbed some menus.

Zeke gestured for Allyson to precede him, and she followed Tina to a table by the window. Except it wasn’t set up with the chairs across from one another, but side by side.

“Thanks, Tina.” Zeke held out the chair closest to the window for Allyson.

Allyson sat down, and Zeke took the seat next to her.

“Mike will be here to take your drink order shortly. Enjoy.” She set the menus down and walked away.

“Do you come here a lot?” Allyson asked, picking up the menu. She’d counted on Zeke being across from her. With him next to her, she could feel his warmth, and it made her want to curl against his body and hug him tight.

“Usually at least once a week. Most of the time, I grab and go.”

That explained how the hostess knew him by name. “They must have good food.” Right now, food was the last thing on her mind.Come on, Allyson, get your act together. Friends, remember?

“You’ve never been here?”

“For some reason, I haven’t.”

“Then if you’ll allow me.” He plucked the menu from her fingers. “I know just what to order.”

Allyson was about to protest but held it back. Why not? “All right, but nothing spicy, especially the barbecue sauce.”

“Got it.” He grinned as the waiter arrived.

“Good evening, I’m Mike, your waiter for tonight. Would you like something to drink?”

Zeke looked at her.

“Do you have a pale ale on tap?” she asked.

“I do.”

“That will work.”

The waiter looked at Zeke. “I’ll have the same.”

“Very good. Are you ready to order?”

“Yes.”

Allyson glanced out the window, only half listening, while Zeke ordered. Robins mingled in the trees outside the windows. They chased each other, and she couldn’t stop smiling at their antics.

“Bird watching?”

Zeke’s voice in her ear made her shiver. “They’re pretty, but did you know they don’t mate for life?”

“True, they don’t. But they do spend an entire breeding season together and usually come back together every season.”

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