Page 15 of Sweet Boys Love Christmas
I turn to leave so I can enter her order into the system, but her soft “hey, Luke?” has me swinging back around to face her.
“Thank you again,” she says, peering up at me through her lashes. “For hanging out with me the other day.”
“Bertie, you’ve got to stop thanking me for stuff like that. We’re friends. Friends hang out.”
“Right.” She tucks a piece of hair behind her ear, lowering her head. “Friends.”
The sadness in her tone puzzles me. She’s the one who doesn’t want to be more than that.
She doesn’t stop me this time as I turn and walk away to put the order in.
“We’re slowing down a bit,” my mom says after Bertie’s order is in the system and I’ve refilled another patron’s water. “Why don’t you take a break and sit with your friend?”
“Mom,” I groan at her meddling.
“What?” She blinks innocently. “She looks lonely.”
I look back in Bertie’s direction. Dammit. I can’t deny that she’s right. Shedoeslook lonely, and from what she said the other night, there’s a good chance she is.
“Fine,” I agree. “But I’m telling her you’re meddling.”
She laughs as she saunters to one of her tables. “Tell her whatever you want, sweetie.”
Grumbling, I put in a discounted order for myself. Now that I’m thinking about a break, I’m ravenous. I’ve been here since the breakfast rush. How my mom does this day in and day out baffles me. It’ll be the best day of my life when I can afford to retire her.
While I wait for our orders, I take care of my tables, ensuring everyone has what they need, and when our meals are up, I carry them both over to Bertie’s table.
She frowns in confusion as I slide in across from her.
“Just so you know”—I point at my plate—“this wasn’t my idea. My mom is meddling.”
Brow furrowed, she peers around the diner. “Your mom is here?”
“Yeah, she works here.”
“Ah.” She nods. “Now I see why you’re here working.”
I shrug. “They needed the help.”
She points a fry at me. “But you really did it for your mom, didn’t you?”
As I unroll my silverware from my napkin, I duck my head and mutter a “yes.”
She shakes her head, a smile curling her lips. “You’re making it really hard, you know?” A flush stains her creamy skin as soon as the words are out, but she doesn’t look away.
I press my lips together, my heart rate picking up a little. “What am I making hard?”
The blush deepens. “Not to change my mind about the whole dating thing.” She stuffs a fry into her mouth like it’ll keep any more words at bay.
I chuckle, amused. “I promise you, I’m not expecting you to change your mind.”
“No, I know that,” she says quickly, like she’s worried she’s offended me. “I only meant… you’re a really great guy, and it’s obviously not an act. I can’t see you ever being one of those guys who tries to do that. A true good guy doesn’t feel the need and?—”
“Take a breath.” I angle over the table and make sure she’s looking at me. “Just so you know, it’s okay to have feelings for someone and not act on them. You know how I feel about you, and I won’t pressure you for more. I don’t want you to think that I’m hanging out with you to try to get you to change your mind either.”
“I know, I know,” she chants, hiding her mouth behind her hand while she chews. “I just meant… I like you as more than a friend and it’s just… really confusing for me.”
Fuck, that makes me happy. Even though I won’t push her for more, it feels good to know that I’m not the only one who feels the attraction between us. I tamp down on the joy that overwhelms me, though. The last thing I want to do is get overly excited and scare her off.
