Page 21 of Waiting for Sunshine

“So, Shane. How have you been doing since the last time I saw you?” he asks. What a kind way to ask someone if they’ve gotten over being scared to death and bitch slapped by a robber.

The waitress comes over and pours us all a glass of water and we order. Shane ordering a cheeseburger and fries surprises me. I am used to girls with dainty, non-existent appetites. This woman can eat.

“I’ve been okay. I was a bit shaken up at first, but having boss man here train me is making me feel more confident. Safer.” She says hiking her thumb over her shoulder towards me.

“Ah yes, the training. Howisthat going?” he smugly asks. I narrow my eyes at him as I lift my glass of water to my lips.

“It’s going well. We had a reallyhardsession today.” Shane bumps my knee with hers and I spit out my water. Tucker bellows a laugh and Shane gasps before she lets out a giggle.

“You two are so not allowed to be friends,” I say looking between the two of them.

My wide eyes land on Shane and she gives me a smirk and tilts her shoulder.

“You really thought I wouldn’t notice?” she whispers as Tucker reaches for some napkins.

“Maybe, but I didn’t expect you to tellhim.” I can’t believe she just said that.

“Good luck trying to stop us.” Tucker winks at Shane from across the table and I want to reach across the table and punch him in the forehead.

Stop winking at my girl.

Mmm…that was unexpected.

“Yeah, I think this is a friendship destined for great things,” Shane responds as she lifts her glass to Tuckers.

“Hear hear!” Tucker responds as they clink their glasses together. I shake my head and grin. I actually like that Tucker and Shane get along. She’s starting to overlap in more areas of my life, and I can’t say that I mind it.

CHAPTER10

MAX

WhenI first offered to train Shane, I thought I was doing it to make sure she was equipped to handle herself in dangerous situations. Call it the former SEAL in me that was used to training guys regularly. I am starting to realize though, I may have just wanted another reason to be around her outside of work. Now I find myself hoping she’s never in a dangerous situation, or that if she ever is, that I’m right there to protect her myself.

I’ve never been a relationship guy, anything I started with a woman was usually over before sunrise. I preferred things that way. I didn’t have to worry about hurting them, or forming an attachment and losing them. Not to mention, I’d never even met a woman who captured my attention in such a way that I wanted to spend more than a single night with them.

Until Shane.

We are both working behind the bar today while Ruby is out to see Hendrix perform in his Pre-K Christmas recital. School is about to let out for the holidays, and for some reason three year olds are very busy this time of year. So that left us behind the bar and Heather on the floor.

“I am so sore, I can’t lift my arms. If anyone orders top shelf, that’s all you, boss.” Shane says as she rolls her head around.

“Oh come on, we didn’t even go that hard.” I tease. We most definitely pushed it in the gym yesterday.

“Says you.” She quips.

She leans across the bar to slide a guest their drink and the way her cut Chattahoochiesshirt lifts up, showing the small of her back is driving me mad.

You’d think I would be immune to the effects of seeing her gorgeous tan skin since we spend so much time together in the gym, but no. Here I am, eyes gliding from her back to her ass and wanting to slide my hands into her back pockets.

My eyes snap up when she turns to face me, but it seems I’ve been caught. She quirks a brow at me and her mouth forms a little o as if she’s about to say something. Before she can, Heather comes up to interrupt.

Thank god.

“Hey Shane, a table is requesting you,” Heather says, leaning over the bar.

“Really, why?” Shane asks.

“If I had to guess,” Heather starts, glancing back over her shoulder. “One of them probably thinks you’re hot. And I mean, I don’t blame them.” She says jokingly, making Shane laugh. That contagious, beautiful laugh of hers. I, however, don’t want to laugh. I want to tell Heather to wait on them herself and keep Shane planted behind the bar with me.

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