Page 8 of Hot Stuff

It was nice.

Calm.

A great change of pace to the chaos we lived when we were on missions and waiting to be called up.

After, I’d gone home and cleaned. Then, because I couldn’t talk myself out of it, I headed right back into town. There was a diner she had pointed out and recommended because as she had shared, if it wasn’t for her sister cooking for her, she would eat all three meals there. Polly’s Diner was cute and completely unexpected.

The place was decorated in white and pops of bright oranges. I would have thought the color could be too much, but whoever had decorated knew how to balance it just right. It was a welcoming spot, with an old-school bell that rang above the door every time it opened and closed.

When I stepped in, the last thing I expected was to see her, but it was like I had conjured her up once again. Karol sat alone at a booth, and when the hostess asked if I needed a table for one, I took a chance. I shook my head and said I saw my party.

Without looking away, I walked right over to her. From afar I could see she had earbuds in, her head bobbing up and down to whatever song she was listening to. Her dark gaze rose just as I reached her table. I watched those pretty eyes widen and then soften. Slowly, she popped her earbuds out and smiled up at me.

“Hey, it’s you.”

“It’s me.” I felt like a fucking teenager.

“How was your day? Did you get to explore?” she asked with an easy smile. For a moment, I wasn’t sure if she was simply making small talk to be polite or because she actually cared. When her smile never wavered, I decided it was the latter.

“I did. I liked that museum you told me to check out.” She smiled brighter. Her eyes darted to the empty booth bench in front of her.

“Would you like to join me?” I didn’t hesitate. Thanking her, I slipped in and got the pleasure of looking at the girl of my fucking dreams.

Jesus Christ. It was all wrong. I was all kinds of wrong for her.

A better man, the kind who deserved her, would have never stepped foot into the diner in hopes of catching a glimpse of her, much less sit down with her. But I wasn’t a better kind of man.

I was selfish and greedy. Fuck me, all I wanted was to spend time with her. I’d never felt this way towards anyone. Not once, not even close.

“Here.” She passed me the menu. “I already know what I’m going to order.”

“What do you recommend?” She opened and shut her mouth, and for some reason, my lips quirked upward. “What were you about to say?” I asked. She simply blushed.

“Nothing.” Her eyes skated down to the tabletop before returning to mine. “I was just going to ask about your dietary restrictions.”

“Hmm.” I didn’t believe her. I had a feeling my sweet little siren had a dirty little mind. Maybe I wasn’t the only one feeling this pull. If I had it my way, she would have been thinking about offering herself up on a silver platter. “No dietary restrictions tonight.”

“Tonight?” She smiled. “So, you usually have them? You don’t look like that—" She waved her hand up and down at me, and I found myself laughing. Hearty and rich, and completely unrecognizable. I wasn’t the kind to laugh.

“Like what?” I glanced down at myself and then back at her.

“All Mr. Hot Stuff.” The moment the words slipped past her lips, her face turned the prettiest shade of pink, almost red. Her hands rose and she covered it. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean?—"

“You don’t think I’m hot stuff?”

“Mr. Hot Stuff and, umm, I didn’t say I didn’t, I just—” I chuckled and reached for her hand.

“You’re pretty cute, too,” I muttered, trying to keep things light. But she squished her nose, almost like she was offended.

“Cute. Wow, okay,” she mumbled like I’d offended her. Before I could explain, a waitress about Karol’s age stopped by and shared the specials with us.

“Mind if I order for you?” she asked.

“Please.” I nodded, and she grinned.

“Mary, can I get two of my usual with no onions and two cherry Cokes with?—"

“Extra cherries.” Mary the waitress smiled. “I got you, girl. And half and halves?” she asked, and Karol’s smile widened.

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