Page 27 of The Arrogant's Redemption

“I’m saving up. I’ll be starting soon. Now, please tell me what you want—or you’ll miss out on the daily special. We don’t have many basses left.”

I know she’s dodging because I touched on something she clearly doesn’t like to talk about—and normally, I’d let it go. But I find myself wanting to know more. “Place my order. I’ll take what you suggested. Then come back and tell me about the wines that pair well with it.”

“You probably know more about wine than I do.”

“I wantyourtake on it.”

She gives me a look like she wants to ask the one thing I’m not willing to answer:

Why the hell do I want to keep her here, talking to me?

But right now, all I can say to Alexis, the girl who likes color, who’s got a sharp mouth and a wild glint in her eye, is that at least for tonight, she has my attention.

Alexis

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“Did something happen?”Badger asks as soon as I walk into the kitchen and hand him Jasper’s order.

“No. Just another rich customer checking outThe Ugly Shrimp,” I reply—maybe a bit too quickly—but what exactly could I say?

Nothing happened, except that for the third time in twenty-four hours, I came face-to-face with a man who’s apparently awakened every single sexual hormone in my body, who looks at me like he wants to strip me bare, but whose mouth keeps telling me to stay away.

“Then why do you look nervous?”

“I’m not.”

“Did the jerk try anything with you?”

“Okay, boss, let’s get something straight: I hope whatever’s going on between you and my mom works out, but I’m an adult. And for the record, it was my mom who told me to start enjoying life a little more—which is exactly what I plan to do on my day off tomorrow.”

“Alexis, you’ve said more in thirty seconds than you have all month. If the guy’s not bothering you and just getting under your skin, that’s fine—but you know I’m always here if you need anything.”

“I didn’t mean to be rude.”

“Hearing that from you sounds like a joke. I’m a jackass most of the time. What you might not have noticed is that I’m overprotective too.”

For the first time since Jasper walked into the restaurant, I manage a real smile. “Really? Never would’ve guessed.”

Looking back, I realize that even when I had no idea he and Mom were involved, Badger was always hovering around us—like he was wrapping us in an invisible hug. I now remember all the little things, like how every time something broke at home, he showed up to fix it. Maybe in his and my mom’s case, that old saying “dripping water hollows stone” worked literally. I never thought she’d ever consider dating again, but after our last conversation, I’m starting to believe there’s something very real between them.

“Smartass.” He laughs. “You sure you don’t want to switch sections?”

“Why would she?” the waiter who just walked into the kitchen jumps in. “She’s the one who asked to take the rich guy’s table.”

I feel the blood rush straight to my face, and I know Badger’s not going to let that slide without an explanation.

“You knew him already?”

“Yeah. I mistook him for the guy who was supposed to check out Mom’s boat this morning. I think he’s just here on vacation.”

“Look, I don’t want to butt into your life or go against your mom’s advice, but can you at least be careful? I know dating’s not your thing.”

“Not for lack of suitors,” the same nosy waiter pipes up, raising an eyebrow in mock seriousness.

“Shut up,” I mutter, then turn back to Badger. “Relax. I just thought he was good-looking.”

“Those young men who visit Cape Cod . . .”

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