He winked at her. “In these old jeans, youflatter me.”
Harlow couldn’t help but laugh.
“You two have a lot of fun now.”
Andrew held out his hand. Harlow hesitated, knowing that ifshe took his arm, she was going on this date. Pushing thoughts ofHunter to the back of her mind, she slid her hand in Andrew’s, andthen followed him out of the beauty parlor.
Once they were out in the warm air, Harlowfelt that panic start to return. Being around Hailey was a loteasier. She didn’t need to fill in the blanks and life went by soeasily.
“I was thinking we could go to the diner,and then on to Ryan’sPlace.”
“Sure, sure, it’s not calledRyan’s Placeanymore.”
“I know it has been changed toHell’sPlace, but Idon’t think that has the right ring to it.”
Harlow laughed. She didn’t know exactly whatwent down, but Ryan disappeared and rumor had it, he’d betrayed theHell’s Bastards MC. According to town gossip, Ryan was the son ofone of the members who was in prison, so the bar went back to theclub, or something along those lines. She never asked any questionsand the truth was, she didn’t want to know the answers.
They walked side by side,and Harlow felt that first dateawkwardness, not that she had been on any dates.
“So, how was your day?” she asked, fillingthe silence.
“Fine, it was pretty good. Stopped a coupleof leaks and enjoyed having to break up a family dispute.”
“A family dispute? How does a plumber andelectrician settle one of those?” She laughed. “It actually soundslike a start of a joke.”
Andrew laughed. “Quite simple, afather-in-law and son-in-law were arguing about what the problemwas and it was up to me to fix it.”
“Who was right?” Harlow asked.
“Neither of them. Bothblamed the other forcausing a leak, and it was actually down to the pipes being old andneeding replaced. It had a happy-ever-after ending. When I leftthem, they had cracked open a couple of beers and talking about thefootball game.”
Harlow laughed. “Now that does sound like ahappy ever after.”
“Yeah, and there are not too many of thosearound.”
Harlow didn’t say anything, and insteadfollowed Andrew into the diner. Of course some of the Hell’sBastards MC would haveto be eating there. Andrew didn’t pay them any attention and theyfound a small table. He pulled out her chair and she was a littletaken aback, but sat down into it.
He was being a total gentleman.
Picking up the menu, Harlow glanced over andsaw the garden burger was back on. She pointed at it and looked upto see Andrew doing the exact same thing.
“Okay, this is kind of creepy,” Harlow said.“How did you become vegan?”
“Simple, I stopped eating meat.”
Harlow laughed. “But did youhave a reason or … Idon’t know, did you see something?”
“Ihelped my dad years ago bury our dog. Mom put a big roastchicken on the table and it just … clicked. I don’t know how elseto describe it. One moment I looked at that delicious chicken, thenext I saw it with feet, head, and alive and running around.Haven’t touched meat since. I was actually a vegan when you and Iused to hang out.”
“Shut up,” Harlow said.
“Yeah, for all you know, I could have beenthe one to influence you.” Andrew winked at her.
“Okay, now I am wondering.” Harlowsmiled.
The waitress, the same one who liked togive her number out to bikers, came over. She took their order and Harlow noticed hergaze lingered on Andrew.
Once she left, Harlow placed her arms onthe table, and leaned forward. “There’s a chance she’s going to hand you your food withher number for you to call her.”