Page 19 of Griz's Edge

Pulling into the parking lot for the diner, I don’t bother looking around for my date. He’s probably already inside and waiting for me. I park in the first spot I find and get out, making sure to bring my purse with me.

I glance around the lot while making my way toward the door, my heart racing and blood pumping.

Dang it all to hell and back. What is wrong with me?

I should have kicked Griz when he kissed me.

I take a breath and step into the diner, spotting Deputy Riggs right away, sitting at one of the side booths. His head comes up, and he grins. Not a grin like Griz’s by any means, but a genuine one.

Totally weird.

As I make my way toward Deputy Riggs, he slides out of the booth.

“I was starting to think you weren’t going to show up,” Deputy Riggs says.

“Sorry, I was held up with a call,” I lie.

I flipping hate lying. I’m not a liar, and I’m not really good at it either. What makes me feel better about this lie is that it was the last thing I did before getting ready to leave the house.

“It’s all good. You’re here now.” Leaning forward, he grips my hand in his.

My gaze shifts to where he’s touching me. I can’t help but feel awkward from the fact he’s even touching me to begin with. I shouldn’t be here. I should’ve canceled. I should never have agreed to the date in the first place.

Deloris comes to the table a moment later, eyes on me. “Hey, darlin’, how you doing today?”

I jerk back slightly, a sense of guilt filling me for some unknown reason.

“Deloris, I’m good. What about you?” I greet sheepishly.

“Same ol’ same ol’. Still kickin’ it. You two want your usual drinks?” she asks. I’m guessing she knows Deputy Riggs’s order by heart as she does mine.

“That’d be great.” I shift a look to my date to see him grinning at Deloris.

“Sounds good, Deloris. Can we both get the daily special for today as well?” he orders.

Orders for both of us.

What if I didn’t want the daily special? I want to ask this, but I bite off the question and glance back to Deloris.

“What is today's special?”

“Old man in the back has got a Mississippi roast slathered up on some mashed taters and his homestyle gravy. It also comes with a slice of cornbread to go with it.”

Okay, well, that sounded amazing.

“Sounds like it’ll be good,” I murmur, nodding.

“It sure will be.” Deloris grins. “Be back with your drinks.”

“Hope you don’t mind me orderin’ for us both,” Deputy Riggs says as Deloris walks away. “They always have good daily specials.”

“It’s fine. I just like to know what I’m getting before I get it,” I tell him.

“I get that.” He nods and shifts back in his seat. “So, what made you move out this way?”

“Someone had to be close to my grandma.” I shrug and clasp my hands in my lap. “You know, I don’t even know what your first name is. I keep wanting to call you Deputy Riggs.”

Chuckling, he slouches in his seat and cocks his head slightly. “It’s David.”

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