Page 15 of More Than a Hero
By the time they finished most of their food, the restaurant had gotten even louder with the Friday night crowd. When the server stopped by, Angie asked for a to-go box.
Pete found himself stalling, not wanting the date to end. If people weren’t waiting for tables, he would’ve suggested ordering another beer. But before he could figure out what to do, Angie leaned forward, her fingers toying with the edge of her napkin.
“I feel like we were just starting to really get to know each other.” She held his gaze. “I hate for this to end.”
The breath he’d been holding rushed out. He grinned. “I was just thinking the same thing.”
Her lips curved. “Then… how about you follow me home? We can have another beer there. No noise, no crowd.”
His smile turned slow, easy. “I’d love that, Angie.”
The server returned, setting the to-go box in front of her. Pete watched as she carefully boxed up the extra food, biting her lip in thought.
“You’re gonna have enough for another meal,” Pete said.
“That’s true if it was just for me.” She scrunched her nose. “But I was going to take this to my grandparents. Now I’m realizing it’s not enough for both of them.”
Pete signaled the server. “Add another triple barbecue meal for takeout. Put it on my bill.”
The server grinned. “Yes, sir.”
Angie’s mouth dropped open. “Pete, please let me?—”
“Nope.” He smirked. “Don’t even suggest it. My treat.”
Her lips pressed together, but she didn’t argue. Instead, she just shook her head, her expression softening. “That’s really sweet of you.”
He shrugged, but the look she gave him made him feel ten feet tall. When they walked out, he placed a hand lightly on her back, guiding her toward the door. The drive to her townhouse was short, but Pete found himself appreciating the extra minutes to process how much he liked being around Angie. It had been a long time since he’d felt this way on a first date—comfortable, intrigued, hopeful.
He followed her car through the quiet, tree-lined neighborhood, pulling into a spot in front of her home. The townhouse was charming, just like her—brick exterior, a welcoming front porch with a cozy-looking swing, and warm light glowing from the windows.
She parked and slid out of her vehicle with a smile, giving him a little wave as he stepped out of his own SUV.
“Come on in,” she said, leading the way to the door. “I can put the leftovers in the refrigerator and get us another beer.”
He followed her inside, taking in the space as she disappeared into the kitchen. The place felt like her. It wasn’t just a house—it was a home.
A woven throw blanket was draped over the arm of the sofa, and a book lay open on the side table as if she’d been reading it before she left for work. The scent of something light and floral lingered in the air, barely noticeable, but enough to make him think of her.
She reappeared a moment later, two bottles in hand.
“Here we go,” she said, offering him one as she kicked off her shoes. “Make yourself comfortable.”
He settled onto the sofa, and she curled up beside him, tucking her feet underneath her.
“This is nice,” he murmured, glancing around again.
Her brows lifted. “You like my place?”
He took a sip of his beer, then nodded. “Yeah. It looks like you. Feels like a home.”
Her smile softened as she looked around, as if seeing it through his eyes for the first time. “Thanks. It is home. I’ve lived here long enough now that I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”
He let his gaze linger on her. Her hair was slightly tousled from the night air, her lip gloss gone after the meal, and her eyes held a touch of fatigue, but she was beautiful. Even more so now, sitting here, relaxed in her space, with a beer in hand and an easy smile on her lips.
“So,” she said, twisting slightly to face him. “Honest thoughts on the date so far?”
He huffed out a short laugh. “You really just jump in and go for the goal right away, don’t you?”
