Page 4 of Dating the Grump

"Uh, yes, very," I stammer, trying to maintain my composure. It's difficult not to fan myself as sexual tension swirls around us. The heat radiating from our closeness feels almost palpable.

The rude waitress from earlier strides over, her manner still brisk and unfriendly. "What can I get you?" she asks, her tone bordering on impatience as intense hatred for me flashes through her pale blue eyes.

“You can ask again,” Hunt cuts in, shocking us both. “And this time, ask nicely like you’re hoping for a tip.”

He stares unblinking at the rude waitress until she tucks her tail between her legs and turns to me to mutter, “What would you like to drink, ma’am?”

"I'll have a glass of white wine, please," I say, trying hard to keep my tone even and polite.

She rolls her eyes and jots down our order before walking away, leaving behind a trail of palpable tension.

“Well, she’s having a bad night.” I turn back to Hunt, who’s still watching me intently. His heated stare causes goosebumps to break out along my spine.

"So, Molly, what brought you to the matchmaker?" he asks, leaning slightly closer, and his proximity evokes a mix of excitement and nerves to flutter in my stomach.

"It was a bit of a leap," I admit, smiling sheepishly. "I moved to Silver Spoon Falls a few months ago for a job and, well, it gets pretty lonely sometimes."

He nods, his eyes never leaving mine. "I understand. I’ve just moved here myself." His voice is soothing, yet there's an undercurrent of something deeper that makes me want to know more.

The waitress returns with our drinks, practically slamming them onto the table. "Enjoy," she says sarcastically before striding off.

"Thank you," the good manners Gran drilled into my head come out automatically. I doubt she hears me or even cares. Hunt rubs the back of my knuckles, bringing my attention back to him.

"Don't mind her." His presence commands my attention, and I forget all about the rude woman. "Now, where were we?"

The conversation flows easily from that point, and I find myself relaxing, enjoying his company more with each passing minute. Despite the less-than-stellar service, tonight feels promising. Hunt’s charm and the warmth in his eyes make the loneliness I’ve felt since I graduated and moved to town seem like a distant memory.

As the night stretches on, I start to believe that maybe, just maybe, Silver Spoon Falls holds more for me than I ever dared to hope. And sitting next to me, Hunt is making that possibility feel incredibly real.

"This bar has the best burgers and fries," Hunt says as he takes a bite of his massive double cheeseburger. I notice how comfortable he is here, as if he belongs, yet something about him is intriguingly out of place in this quiet, unassuming town.

"So, Hunt Sola, what brought you to Silver Spoon Falls?" I ask, genuinely curious. His presence and demeanor suggest a past that’s anything but ordinary.

He pauses, a slight smile curling at the edges of his lips. "Well, I recently retired from my career as a professional athlete. I played football, actually. After years on the road, I wanted a change and Silver Spoon Falls seemed like the perfect place to start fresh."

My eyes widen in surprise. "Wow, I had no idea! That’s incredible. What position did you play?"

"Quarterback," he chuckles, a hint of pride in his voice, and I shake my head, pretending that I know the first thing about football. "It was a wild ride, but it was time for me to hang up my cleats and move on."

I marvel at how casually he speaks about a life that seems worlds away from mine. "That sounds amazing. I can’t imagine the experiences you must have had."

He meets my gaze, his eyes softening. "It was, but believe me, I’m ready for something more.” There’s a look in his eyes that causes my virgin girly parts to wake up and take notice. “And you, Molly? What job brought you to Silver Spoon Falls?"

I take a sip of my wine, collecting my thoughts. "Well, I graduated from the University of Houston with a double degree in Finance and Economics six months ago, and moved here to become a personal banker at Montoya Investments.” I smile, feeling a sense of accomplishment seep into my words. “It’s my first real job in the industry, and I’m still getting my bearings, but it’s been a great learning experience so far."

Hunt’s eyes light up with genuine interest. "That’s impressive. Moving to a new town and starting a new job right out of college takes guts."

"Thanks," I reply, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks. "It’s been challenging, but it’s also exciting. Silver Spoon Falls has been quite welcoming, and the locals are lovely." And freaking rich. It’s the perfect town to pursue a banking career.

We talk and laugh through the rest of our meal, sharing stories and finding common ground. Hunt’s openness and warmth dissolve any remnants of nervousness I had earlier. As we finish our meal, he sits back and smiles at me, causing my blood to sing in my veins, but I know I have to call an end to the night if I’m going to be on my game tomorrow morning.

“I hate to end things early, but I have an early breakfast appointment tomorrow morning.” And I can’t screw up this chance to convince Ms. Martinsen to let me handle her multimillion-dollar portfolio.

“I understand.” He stares into my eyes and smiles, bringing my hand back to his lips for another soft kiss. “I’ll drive you home.”

“Oh. I walked here. My apartment is just two blocks away," I protest lightly, though the idea of spending more time with him is extremely appealing.

"Then I’ll walk you home," he insists, and his disarming smile wins me over. "I want to make sure you get there safely.” I should worry about showing a stranger where I live, but I feel completely at ease in his presence. Plus, the matchmaker assured me she investigates all her clients to make sure they’re exactly who they say they are.

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