Page 10 of Tempting the Tender Guy: Imperfect Heroes

“Sorry about that, just got caught up chatting,” she tells him. “We’ll be on our way.”

“See that you do.” The window goes up, but the man shows no sign of leaving.

“Will you call me?” I ask her.

She surprises me by grabbing my shirt and hauling me down for another kiss. When she lets me go, Sadie winks. “Or, I don’t know, maybe you could call me.”

The sanctuary work beeps, and Sadie gives him a wave.

“See you, Mack.”

After watching her get into her car and hearing the engine turn over, I walk to my truck and follow her out of the parking lot. The smile on my face stays the entire drive home.

CHAPTER FIVE

SADIE

“Table ten is waiting for their entrees,” Doug huffs as he shoves his way past me.

It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him they’re not all ready yet, but I don’t bother. He’s already gone, and he would somehow blame me for that. I’m not one of the cooks. I have no control over cooking speed.

I breeze by table ten and assure them their food is coming soon and offer them refills on their drinks. Taking my time I make my way around the rest of my tables and try not to scowl when I catch Doug’s eyes on me repeatedly. He’s such a control freak he’ll probably have a heart attack before he’s forty.

After two, there’s a lull in customers and I use that time to fold napkins and think about Mack. Actually, I’ve been thinking about him since last night. I’m still giddy over Malcolm turning out to be Mack. Somehow the matchmakers knew exactly who I wanted and surprise, he wants me too! It’s like one of those sweet holiday romance movies. Except it’s not Christmas and while Mack is certainly sweet I want our romance to be more hot and wild than merely teeth-achingly sweet.

Glancing at the big clock on the wall, I decide now’s a great time to take a break. Locating Doug in the kitchen berating the new busboy, I give him a cheery way as I make my way to theback door. “Be back in fifteen,” I say, loving how the slamming of the door cuts off whatever tripe he’s angrily spouting.

If only I had been a better student or actually felt passionate about one career choice over another I wouldn’t be stuck here dealing with jerks like Doug. I hate office work, it’s far too boring. I do like being around people. Well, most people. And I love the flexibility that being a server offers me, plus who needs a gym membership when you’re on your feet all the time? Plus the tips more than make up for the low pay.

Usually, I amend thinking about how table ten stiffed me.

In my car, I pull out my phone and call Yvonne. As it rings, I tap my fingers on the steering wheel in annoyance. She better not be boinking Henry.

I grin. Okay, that’s just me being jealous. I wish I could boink in the middle of the day too.

Right when I think the call is going to go to her voicemail, she answers.

Wasting no time I go right to the heart of the matter. “I can’t believe you set me up with Mack!”

Silence fills my ear, then Yvonne laughs. “You asked the matchmakers to set you up and they did. I was merely the messenger.”

“And how did they get Mack’s information? And did you know Mack was a nickname and his real name is Malcolm?”

“It’s a nice name.”

“Yeah, it is. Except after knowing him as Mack, I can’t think of him as anything else.”

“Makes sense. So, how did the date go?”

Yvonne’s used to me being easily distracted. I’m not going to let her get me off track now. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re trying to do.”

“Whatever do you mean?” Humor warms my bestie’s voice and I can picture her grinning.

I chuckle and grin back. “You’re trying to change the subject from the way you tricked me with the whole matchmakers bit.”

“What trick? You aren’t interested in Mack? Isn’t he interested?”

My mind goes back to those amazing kisses, but my grin drops thinking about how he turned down my offer of coming back to my place with me. What guy turns down sex?!

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