Page 46 of Love Takes Home

“We are.”

“At Sandy’s?”

“That’s what the sign says.”

“You brought me to Briar Mountain to eat at Sandy’s?”

“I did.”

“But…how?”

“I remember you said you loved their waffles.” He shrugs his shoulder. “It’s not that far away, so here we are.”

“You, sir, are a romantic, aren’t you?”

The tips of his ears turn pink, but he shakes his head. “I’m a very terrifying man, remember? I make people pee their pants with just one look.”

“Your secret is safe with me.” I place my hands on his chest for leverage to lift up for a kiss, which he obliges.

Why is kissing this man so magical? The zings that go through my body when his lips touch mine are nothing I’ve ever felt before.

“If you two don’t stop sucking face in my parking lot, I’ll have to call someone to break you up!” a female voice full of laughter chides us.

Breaking apart, I know my face is beet red, but Joker is laughing.

“Ms. Sandy, if you don’t stop giving me grief, I’ll have to go to Mable’s place back home and you’d miss me.”

“You wouldn’t.” The stink-eye this woman gives is enough to make me join in their laughter. “Now,” she turns toward me, “who is this gorgeous lady you have stuck to your lips?”

“Sandy, be nice,” Joker tells her without a hint of seriousness in his voice. “This is my girlfriend, Virginia Mills, but everyone calls her Ginny.”

“Well, let me get a good look at you, honey,” the woman says. “You know I have to approve of all my boys’ picks.”

She’s a beautiful, dark-skinned woman with her hair in long braids and a welcoming smile. She doesn’t look old enough to be a grandma, but I still bet she gives good grandma hugs.

“Where have you been hiding this beauty?” she finally asks after giving me a very solid once over.

“Remember Davis?” he asks.

“That guy that used to be with the FBI? Really good looking?”

“That’s him. This is his sister.”

“Yes, I can see it now. You’re much prettier than he is, sugar.” She smiles at me. “You’ve been here before, haven’t you?”

“I have.” I return her smile. “My friend used to go to school down here and worked for Abigail Thorpe.”

“That’s right! Trish. How’s she doing?”

“Well, she’s my sister-in-law now, and they just had a baby.”

“You tell that girl and that fine brother of yours that Mable will get over it if they visit. And I fully expect a visit.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“What are you two waiting for? Come on in. Let’s get you some food.”

Joker places his hand on my lower back, and I can feel myself melting into his touch. How long has it been since I’ve been on a date? Keith took me on a few when we first started seeing each other, but it quickly became only work functions. I can’t even tell you the last time we went out to dinner together. Or a movie. How stupid was I for putting up with that for so long?

---