Page 84 of Outlaw Heartstrings
Does it feel a little weird going on this so-called date at the same restaurant where I waitress a few times a week? Yes. It does.
But in Fairy Bush, there aren’t too many options for fine dining, especially when you’re trying to get a last minute reservation. We’re lucky to even get a table here tonight, particularly in the middle of tourist season.
Easton observes my face for a moment longer. Then he pulls in a sharp breath. “Okay. Let’s do this, Tiny Tiger.”
He jumps out of the car and opens my door. His hungry gaze sweeps over me again as I exit the vehicle. Tongue rolling over his bottom lip, he offers me his arm and I take it. I ignore my thumping pulse and my already-damp panties, and when it’s safe to cross, I allow him to guide me across the street.
We step inside the busy restaurant and if feels like all eyes shift to us.
The patrons. My coworkers. Even my boss. People are staring and whispering. I feel like I’m coming out of my skin as I try to figure out what they could possibly be thinking.
But Easton doesn’t notice the attention. He just marches confidently toward the hostess stand with my hand tucked in the crook of his elbow.
Jules greets us with a smile so wide it shows off her wisdom teeth. Her palms slap the desktop in front of her. “Hands down the best-looking pair in Fairy Bush tonight,” she declares.
Easton’s attention turns to me, pride and mirth shimmering in his eyes. His large hand slips to the small of my back. “Well, duh! Any man would shine with Alba Anderson by his side.” He winks.
“Oh my god. Perfect answer, Raines! Ten-on-ten!” Jules whimpers, her grin growing even wider as her excited eyes bounce to me.
My knees wobble. I think I’m going to be sick.Practice. Practice. Practice, Alba.
“You think we could get that table at the back?” I croak out to my bestie. Proximity to the bathroom is important right now.
She gives her head a firm shake. “Nuh-uh, babe. A window table for you. Let’s put those tits on display.” She grabs two leather-bound menus and leads the way across the floor.
Easton smiles, dimples flashing as he leans down by my ear and growls. “Wow, lucky me. I get to show you off for the whole town to see.”
I grip his arm tighter for balance.
By the time we’re seated at the small table, there’s a riot going on in my belly and I’m seriously unsure that I’ll make it through this meal. Especially when I glance around the room and catch Mr. Drummond near the kitchen entrance, glaring at me. He looks extra pissed to see me enjoying a night out, especially when the restaurant is so busy.
My sleazy boss thinks I’m nothing—not even deserving of respect—but here I am, dining with the hottest man in town, a hometown hero.
I glance over in Jules’s direction. Once we make eye contact, she immediately launches into some type of sign language she’s clearly inventing on the fly. She sticks out her chest, cradles her boobs and gives them a firm shake. Her facial expression instructs me to do the same.
Oh my god—my best friend is a lunatic.
Easton touches my hand to grab my focus. “Hey. Attention over here, Tiny Tiger.” When my eyes meet his, he smiles softly. “There you are.”
“Sorry,” I say quietly. “I thought this was a good idea. But now that I’m sitting here, all dressed up, I can’t help but feel a little self-conscious. I can’t help but feel like I’m being judged.”
He shrugs. “So let them judge. You’re beautiful. And they all wish they were you.” His expression goes soft but serious. “You can’t let other people decide how you feel about yourself, Alba. Only you have the right to make that decision.”
“I know that. I just…” I glance around the room, seeing the whole place from a different vantage point.
After working here for so long, tonight, I feel like I can truly appreciate the beauty of the restaurant. It’s like sitting in an enchanted forest. The twinkle lights in the willow branches hanging overhead. Old fashioned lanterns and climbing vines growing along the stone walls. Sitting here as a patron is weird, to say the least.
Our server swoops over with two glasses of water and the bread basket. She keeps throwing me quizzical glances the whole time. Like,what does that Alba girl have that I don’t?It’s unsettling.
When we’re alone again, Easton reaches across the table,tracing a knuckle along the cheap rhinestone earring that dangles from my ear. “I know it may feel foreign to you, but you deserve a nice evening out, wearing a sexy dress.” His voice lowers. “Being treated like a princess by a man who can’t take his eyes off you. That’s why we’re here, remember?”
I shiver when his finger accidentally grazes my cheek. Actually, from the way Easton is looking at me, I’m not so sure the touch was accidental at all.
“Is it that obvious what I’m thinking?” I ask hoarsely, trying to cover up my reaction to his touch.
“Sort of.” His grin curves up at one side.
“Oh boy…” I mutter under my breath.
