Page 12 of Protecting What Is Mine

5

Mollie

“Order up!” Eddie calls through the window from the kitchen.

“Thank you. Got it.” The diner’s been busier than usual today.

“Mollie, could I get a little more coffee?” Hop Stevens asks from the end of the counter.

“Sure thing, hon. Be there in a minute. I just need to get this order out first.” Add to that, the fact that I keep losing myself to thoughts of last night at the fair with Hank, and I am struggling to keep up. I better get it in gear or I’ll never survive the chaos of the lunchtime rush.

During a small blip of calm, I reach for my phone. It’s probably the thirtieth time I have today. I haven’t heard from Hank since our kiss goodnight. I seriously hope he’s not one of those guys who puts a girl through the hell of having to wait ‘x’ number of days after a date to hear from him. God, why do men think that makes sense? Any woman I’ve ever known…well…any good woman I’ve ever known would much prefer to hear from a guy right away and know where she stands. Good or bad. Just dispense with the mind games.

Please don’t be that guy, Hank. Pretty please.

The morning drags on, and while I clear and wipe down a table to prepare it for the next patron, I notice it’s finally eleven a.m.

FINALLY.

Slowest three hours ever.

I hear the bells above the door jingle, and when I turn to welcome the person to Belle’s I see none other than Hank Wilde standing in the doorway. He looks exhausted, but the smile on his face and the way his eyes linger on me tell me he’s not here for the food.

“Welcome to Belle’s. You can sit anywhere you’d like. I’ll be with you shortly.” Dragging my eyes off the way his jeans hug his thighs, I ramble my standard greeting while simultaneously trying to keep my heart from jumping clear out of my chest.

“Morning.” Hank pulls at the brim of his hat. “Take your time. I’ll just have a seat at the counter if you don’t mind. Maybe look over the menu.”

I nod. Hank always sits at the counter. I decided a while ago that he does it because it gives us the most opportunity to talk while I work. I quickly finish my rounds, taking orders and refilling drinks, and am practically skipping by the time I get back to the counter. “Can I start you off with something to drink?” I ask with a smile.

Hank leans back on the stool to stretch his back. “Coffee, please. Strongest stuff you’ve got…in the biggest cup you can find.”

“Oh no. Rough night?” I lean forward over the counter. “Girl trouble keep you up?”

“Nah. There’s only one girl on my mind. I can’t imagine what kind of trouble she could bring that wouldn’t still be worth it.” Hank smiles. “It’s that damned hospital chair—it’s winning the war against my back. Last night was so bad, I’m not sure I slept more than thirty minutes.”

“Oh...poor thing. Well here, you tell me what you’d like to eat, and I’ll put a rush on your order, so you can get home and rest.”

“No rush needed. To tell the truth, I’m really not all that hungry.”

I feel the corner of my mouth curl up. “Oh yeah? Just stop in for the coffee?”

“That, and…” Hank pauses, his face falling from its normal light and cheery look to something more serious.

I rest my elbows on the counter and lean in farther. “What’s the matter? Did something happen with your brother?”

Hank blinks in surprise. “No, no. Nothing like that. No, I feel a little foolish admitting this, but I had to see you again.”

“Hank Wilde, are you blushing?” I ask as I run my hand along his cheek.

“Jesus. If I wasn’t before, I certainly am now.” He chuckles. “Thanks for that.”

“Well, I guess I’m sorry for making you blush. But I like the thought that you wanted to see me enough to skip some much needed rest.” I lean in a little more, leaving our faces only a few inches apart. “Truth?” I whisper. I can’t help but be aware that Hank’s lips are mere inches from mine. Within kissing distance—if we were anywhere other than here, that is.

“Always.”

“I’ve been thinking about you too. All morning in fact. Probably cost me half my tips because of the way I’ve been bumbling about, lost in thoughts of our date.”

“Really? Well, that’s the best news I’ve heard since…since…well, probably since Chet woke up from his coma.”

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