Page 81 of Psycho

My stomach took that moment to grumble loudly in the now quiet parking lot.

I blushed as I stared up at him with wide eyes. I stayed and visited with Grandma a little more than I was usually able to. And Micah hadn’t said anything about it. He never rushed me.

Seriously, the man might have the patience of a saint. He barely moved from his spot while he took in his surroundings—and watched me.

Now, it was past lunchtime, though I had barely noticed it until this moment when he reminded me.

His lips twitched, but he otherwise didn’t smile.

His eyes didn’t change.

“Let’s go.”

He reached down and grabbed my hand.

I shouldn’t let him hold my hand like this.

His hand was warm and dry, and it engulfed mine in its entirety.

I didn’t pull away.

I took off my sunglasses as we got inside the semi-busy restaurant, and the hostess straightened when we entered. Her eyes met mine, moved to Micah, went back to me before they widened slightly, and then back to him—and stayed.

I would have found her reaction comical had there not been this hideous pressure in my chest. I moved before I thought about it, pushing Micah back slightly behind me to get her attention.

She blushed when she got a good look at my face.

“Hi, how many are in your party?”

“Two,” I said before Micah could.

He squeezed my hand.

I didn’t bother looking back at him.

The hostess avoided my eye as she grabbed two menus and said tightly, “Right this way.”

We followed her to a small booth in the back, away from most people.

I took a seat on one side and was surprised when Micah effortlessly pushed me further in and sat beside me.

I looked at him questioningly, but he wasn’t looking at me.

No, his eyes were focused on the pretty blonde hostess.

I scowled.

“Thank you,” he said, making her blush even more before she stammered out an answer I didn’t hear and walked away.

I was still scowling when he turned and looked at me. “What?”

I shrugged and opened up my menu, trying to ignore him.

He tugged on my hair.

I glared at him.

“Why are you mad?”

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