Page 4 of The Gift Rarely Given

“Well, are you?” she asks, and when I raise my eyebrows, she continues, “A serial killer?”

I grunt and pinch the bridge of my nose, shaking my head.

“Okay, how about this?” Livie continues. “We do dinner, but I pick the place and I’ll drive myself. When thedinner’s over, I go my way and you go yours. Deal?” Her lip curls in a questioning smirk as she waits for my reply.

“Say where.”

She tells me the name of the restaurant—Yummy’s, a mom-and-pop burger shack down the road. We hop into our vehicles and park one behind the other on a quiet side street near the diner. I wait for her to step out of her car and lock it before I fall into step behind her, keeping my distance so she doesn’t assume I’m trying anything funny. Amelia Island has a small-town feel, despite the tourists. There are a lot of empty side streets that only locals know about, but we just met—I don’t want to spook the girl.

I text my mom to let her know I won’t be home early tonight before putting my phone back in my pocket. I might be thirty years old but I’ve lived with my mom since my injury, so even though I’m an adult, she still worries if I don’t let her know where I am. As we reach the front, I pull open the glass door, letting Livie walk inside first and she whispers a soft thanks.

The bright white lights in the restaurant combined with the checkered floor scream retro diner. Livie hits the bell on the red countertop and we wait as we browse the menu lit-up above the register. This place is known for its burgers and milkshakes, and I can go for both of those. Good to know that this is where her mind went when I asked if she was hungry.

“Welcome to Yummy's. Can I have a name for your order?” the purple-haired cashier asks.

“Livie. Can I have a double cheeseburger with sweet potato fries, add salt and Yummy’s sauce on the side, please?” she orders without hesitation. Her confidence in knowing what she wants is hot as fuck, too. I already knew she wasconfident—the outfit, the way she sassed back when I mentioned the parking spot and the way she ended her date back at her restaurant—this was just the icing on the cake.

“You got it. Anything to drink?”

“Cookies and cream milkshake and a cup of water, please. Thank you.” Livie reaches for her tiny purse but I quickly reach over her to hand the cashier my card.

“On me,” I whisper to Livie, squeezing her shoulder softly and stepping next to her so I can put in my order.

“And for you, sir?” she asks, taking my card.

“Let me get a Reuben and a slaw dog. Tater tots, and a root beer.” The cashier finishes inputting the order on her computer and then taps my card on the reader.

“Here you go. Take this number to any table and your food will be right up,” she says.

“After you,” I tell Livie, turning my body so I’m right behind her. And being the forward asshole I am, I put my hand on her lower back and guide her toward the sitting area.

She walks to a booth in the back corner, far away from the entrance and the rest of the people here. It’s late but in December—when everyone’s trying to buy presents, spend time with family, and do things out and about—the night’s still young.

“You didn’t have to pay,” Livie protests, sliding into the booth.

“I asked you to come eat with me. I did need to pay. It also was not a problem at all.”

“So, tell me, Alex. What brings you out on this busy December night, and why are you free so at this hour?” Livie asks, laying her elbows on the table and leaning closer while resting her hands under her chin.

“Dinner with my friends and, to be honest, I’m always free. I don’t do much anymore.”

“And why is that?” she asks with surprise in her eyes.

I smirk. “Why do you look surprised? Maybe I’m a loner and you were the only person who took the bait.”

“Nah, looking like that—”she says waving her hand like she’s roving my body“—and with the smooth talk I don’t think it’s hard for you to spend time with anyone. On top of that, you appear to be a gentleman. So, what’s the real reason?”

“How do you know I’m a gentleman, Livie?”

“Opening doors, hand on my lower back, paying for dinner, and watching over a total stranger as she sleeps on a bench in the dark? All gentlemanly things if you ask me.”

“It’s called the bare minimum, but sure, I guess I am. My mama raised me right.”

Livie opens her mouth like she’s ready to say something else but the waitress brings us our drinks. She grabs a straw from the table, unwraps it in one quick swoop and puts it in her milkshake. She closes her eyes, takes a long sip, and moans. I look at her full mouth as it’s wrapped about the straw and all my blood goes south, even as I try to keep it from happening.

“She sure did. You’re dodging the question though.” She’s all business, like she didn’t just look like the sexiest thing on earth while sipping on her drink.

“I don’t get out for many reasons. Maybe I’ll tell you about them next time. But I’ll give you one now if you answer a question for me.” I sip on my root beer, letting the bubbles fizzle and tickle my throat before asking, “Why did you abandon your date back there?”

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