Page 52 of The Luminosity of Loriana Harper

Oh. Yeah, she’d likely planned it this way. Her thigh brushed his, and she bumped shoulders with him. He was ninety-nine percent certain it hadn’t been an accident.

He glanced up to catch Marnie’s green eyes incisively watching the byplay.

The woman might be reserved, and often very quiet, but she missed nothing. She held his gaze for another moment before looking down at the menu.

Taking the hint, he replicated her actions.

“Marnie’s having the burger,” Loriana explained to him—as if the woman in question, the adult in question—couldn’t tell him that herself. “I’m having the BBQ chicken wrap. And you?”

He cleared his throat as he scanned. “Either the Breakfast Skillet or the Beef Dip.”

Loriana licked her lips. “Can’t go wrong with either.”

After a moment, he closed the menu. “I’m going to grab the skillet—it’s not every day you can have breakfast for dinner.”

“Well, they’re open twenty-four hours a day.” Loriana stacked their menus and placed them at the outer edge of the table. “I’ve been known to drop by in the middle of the night when I can’t sleep.”

Marnie’s eyes widened in surprise. “You never told me that. Is it safe for you to be out at night?”

Loriana laughed that deep-throated husky sound that he’d come to associate with her. “Honestly, Marnie, nothing to worry about. I hustle from my house to my car—all of two steps. Then, when I get down here, I hustle from the car to the diner—all of two steps. This is Mission City, for crying out loud.”

“Nowhere is completely safe, Loriana. There’s crime in Mission City.”

And why was he convinced Marnie knew of every incident and every statistic she could get her hands on?Is this level of vigilance healthy? Does she ever take a break?He could ask, but he was pretty sure he already knew the answer.

And yes, he worried about people finding him here. But that was more because he didn’t want to face his failure rather than any concern for his safety. He just didn’t want to be perceived as a loser.

“I know, Marnie. Contrary to what you think, I don’t take unnecessary risks.”

“You and I have very different views of what isunnecessary. Take the cuddle party.”

Mitch’s ears perked.

“What about it?” Loriana let out a little puff that was likely exasperation.

“You didn’t know anyone.”

“Mitch was there.”

“You didn’t know he was going.” Marnie turned to him. “And I appreciate you went. Did you plan on attending?”

Those eyes assured him that she already knew the answer. “Spur of the moment.”

“Uh-huh.”

Wow, she really is paranoid.

There appeared to be no room in Marnie’s life for trust—either of her boss or of anyone else.

“How’s everyone doing this evening?”

The server had stunning blue eyes, her blonde hair in a ponytail, and barely looked old enough to be working here.

“We’re doing great, Sarabeth.” Loriana offered her patented wide and friendly smile.

“Lovely to see you and Marnie.” Sarabeth nodded encouragingly at Marnie, as if knowing the woman would need prodding.

Marnie managed a smile. “How are Ranger and Paul?”

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