Page 31 of Give Me Love

“Thanks, Abby,” Bryce says before she walks away. I wiggle in my seat. Bryce seems amused.

“What?” I say. “You’ve never done a happy food dance?”

“No.” He picks up his fork, and I shrug.

“You really need to lighten up.”

He watches me for a moment, as if what I said was foreign.

I raise my eyebrows. “You’re not doing a very good job.”

He smirks.

“You also should do that more often.”

“What?”

“Smile. It looks good on you.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” he says sarcastically before taking a bite of his food.

I roll my eyes and change the subject. “So, racing horses?”

He stops midbite and answers me. “Yeah, my father owns a horse ranch up north. He breeds thoroughbreds.”

“That’s interesting.”

He nods while he chews, and once he swallows he shrugs and says, “It can be.”

“You like it?” I ask.

“I didn’t care for it growing up.”

“And now?”

“Now?” He grabs his napkin and wipes his mouth. “I still don’t care for the fucking work that goes along with it.”

I laugh.

This guy’s different.

He’s nothing like anyone I’ve ever met before. He comes across closed-off, yet he’s answered any question I’ve asked even if it seems to make him uncomfortable. He’s insanely gorgeous, but rough at the same time. His eyes show a man who’s lived a hard life, but his life so far sounds great.

He looks up from his plate, catching me watching him. “You usually stare at people while they eat?”

I blush. “My bad. I was just thinking.”

“About?”

I slightly shake my head and lift my drink. “Nothing important.”

His tongue moves over the back of his teeth and he slides his plate away. “So, what’s the deal with you pouring coffee for a living?”

“What’s wrong with it?” I ask, getting defensive.

“Nothing,” he says, shrugging, clearly unfazed by me getting upset. “But you seem to be more than just a pretty face. You could do better.” He leans back and places his hand on the table. His long fingers tap, tap it.

I drop my fork and lift my brow. “Wow, thanks,” I say sarcastically. I like my job, and I don’t need him downing it.

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