Page 5 of The Hot New Bachelor in Town

“Because I have better things to do than stalk helpless people just passing through town.”

“Don’t you want to fall in love?” Lottie asks.

“Not really.”

Tish kisses her teeth. “What kind of Small Town girl are you?”

“The kind who doesn’t have time for this.” I jiggle my hand. “Now, would you please let go so I can get back to work?”

“Wait, wait!” Lottie says. “Just gonna…” She reaches out while I’m restrained and plucks a few strands of my blonde hair out from my bun to frame my face.

“Hey—” I twitch my head back. “Stop that.”

“All right!” Lottie says, satisfied. “You look hot. Go.”

Tish releases me, her eyes back on the poor guy. “Look at him,” she says with a sigh, happy to ignore me. “Now, that is a proper man.”

“So proper,” Lottie says in agreement.

“Like he eats pussy with a knife and fork.”

I don’t stick around for the rest of that conversation. I break away, taking the coffee pot along with me back to his table. When I arrive, he looks up from the menu and smiles politely, highlighting a pair of dimples on his strong jawline.

“Need another minute to decide?” I ask as I fill his mug.

“No,” he answers. “I’ll take a cheeseburger and fries. No onions.”

“Cheeseburger, no onions. Coming right up.”

“Thanks.”

He looks out the window at the town square, his blue eyes wide and curious.

I go behind the counter to put his order in. Silently, Lottie and Tish point at their ring fingers questionably.

I take a discreet glance at the man’s left hand. No ring.

I shake my head at them.

They high five.

With rolling eyes, I get back to work.

3

MIKA

Ismile at Mr. and Mrs. Henderson, giving them my please-tip-me smile as I say my usual goodbye.

Hope to see you again soon!

Have a great day!

“What?”

The word is so pointed, I instantly turn to look. The handsome man in the last booth breathes a heavy sigh, one hand coming to his forehead as he speaks into his phone.

“A new part?” he asks. “What part?”

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