Page 15 of Sturdy & Dirty

So we had that in common.

And I knew he was a hard worker who’d built his business from the bottom up.

More common ground.

I intended to learn all the ways we were a good match tonight, and then shamelessly exploit them.

As we waited in the reservation line, I couldn’t help but notice how close he stood. Close enough I kept catching hints of his delicious cologne. Woodsy but sweet. It reminded me of the night stars on a meadow.

And ohhh, he was handsome tonight.

He wore a black button-up shirt tucked into dark jeans that fit just right. I could see the thickness of his muscles even though he wasn’t lean.

Strong.

He had a working man’s body, and I liked it a whole lot.

Especially when his hand fell to the small of my back and he leaned in to murmur, “Did I mention, you look beautiful tonight.”

“You might have, a time or two.”

“Sorry, it’s just that I get short term memory loss every time I look at you.”

My grin was impossible to temper so I looked away before he could see how goofy he made me.

Up ahead, pieces of a conversation drifted back to us, instantly setting me on edge.

“… why did you wear that?”

“What’s wrong with it?”

“I’ve told you a million times, florals make you look like my grandma. Do you think I want to date my grandma, Brigette? Hmm? The answer is no. No, I do not.”

I didn’t know Brigette, but her quiet “I’m sorry,” broke my heart.

Because much to my absolute dismay, I did recognize her date's voice.

My shitty ex, Rex.

“What an asshole,” Austin muttered under his breath, echoing my exact thoughts. And it occurred to me what glaring opposites they were.

He had complimented me multiple times already, while Rex publicly shamed Brigette for her choice of dress.

I stared up at Austin, seeing everything so clearly. He would never disrespect his lady. He’d make her feel special and wanted, whether she wore flowers on her dress or not.

He was sweet and sexy, and didn’t need to belittle anyone else to prove it.

He was exactly what I was looking for in a man.

He caught my gaze, his expression going sheepish before turning hard.

“Sorry, darlin’,” he said, glancing away. “I just hate when people bring others down.”

“Me too,” I blurted, ready to tell him all my thoughts on the subject.

But before I could, the hostess called out, “Davis, party of two. Your reservation is ready.”

“That’s us.”

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