Page 9 of He Saved My Boy
Davis glances to me with wide eyes before placing a hand at the small of my back to guide me in her direction. Leaning in, he whispers, “Wonder how many times a day she has to say that?”
Stifling a laugh, I somehow manage to make it to our table without causing a scene.
Davis pulls out my chair and gets me settled, before taking a seat across from me. As we sit, we’re told about today’s specials: a Texas ranch casserole with collard greens and cornbread.
Once she leaves, Davis unexpectedly snorts, instantly grabbing my attention. “This is…” He looks further around the room, “something.”
“What?” I ask, wanting to be clued in on his private joke.
“It’s hard not to sound completely corny.” Davis stiffens and does his best to school his features. “But why doesn’t any man need more than one rooster?”
“Uhhh…” I draw out, trying to think of the answer. “I’ll bite… Why?”
“A cock a dude’ll do.”
“Yeah. That’s corny.” I chortle. But the way his eyes crinkle at the corners and his lip twitches, I’d gladly hear a thousand more if he keeps looking at me that way.
Through a laugh, I challenge, “I tell one cock joke, and now I’ll be bombarded with them—is that it?”
Davis just shrugs and looks back to the menu. “You could just tell me to cluck off, and I’ll stop.”
“You did not just say that,” I say with a laugh. “Where are all the bad jokes coming from?”
“I’d like to say I’m that witty, but most are coming from this menu. Have you even looked at it, or is my charm too much for you to pay attention?”
I’ve been too focused on him to even look, but I’ll never admit that. Since my menu is open, I finally focus on reading it. Sure enough, right above the salad selection, it says,What do you call a rooster looking at lettuce? Chicken sees a salad.
Oh my God. Seriously?
After reading a few others, I lock eyes with Davis, who’s been watching me the entire time, and raise a brow in his direction. With as serious of a voice as I can muster, I ask, “So you’re not usually this punny?”
Shaking his head, Davis sighs heavily. “I wish. I’m more of a smart ass and speak fluent sarcasm being the baby of my family. Though I’ve heard my share of dad jokes over the years. But come on, T, how can younotread some of these aloud?”
Sure enough, over the desserts, there is another doozy. But that doesn’t stop me from voicing it aloud. “All right, Davis. You win. What do chickens serve at birthday parties?”
Exaggeratedly, he grins. “I don’t know, Teagan. Whatdo they serve?”
Grinning from ear to ear, like the dork I am, I smirk. “Coop-cakes.”
“Have y’all decided?” The waitress eagerly interrupts with a pen and pad in hand. I’d been so focused on teasing Davis, I hadn’t even seen her approach.
Davis clears his throat and glances at his menu. “I think I’ll have the honey-glazed chicken sandwich with sweet potatoes and a side of asparagus.”
My mouth waters at the thought of that. “Mmmm… that sounds amazing. I think I’ll have the same. Can I also get an iced tea?”
“Sur’nuff. Sweet tea?” When I nod, she turns her attention to Davis, and he orders a Coke.
The moment she’s gone, Davis’s attention is back on me. I feel heat filter through my body just by his simple gaze alone. His jovial expression is still playful, yet there’s more. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I’m excited to learn more.
Wanting to fill the silence, I quickly ask, “So… what’s been your favorite part about Deacon so far?”
He smirks as his tongue runs quickly along his lower lip. That action alone makes me wonder what else he could do with that sexy mouth of his. Suddenly, he clears his throat, breaking me out of my fantasy, and he leans forward with his elbows on the table. “I’d have to say—meeting you.”
“I bet you say that to all the women you stalk on your early runs.”
There’s no way I’m the most interesting thing he’s seen since arriving in this quaint little town.
Sighing heavily, he leans forward and takes my hand. Once he has my full attention, his voice is husky when he admits, “Seriously, Teagan, I haven’t relaxed like this… since I don’t know when. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think you were sexy as hell, but I’ve quickly found you’re more than that. I love that you’re unfiltered and share what’s on your mind.”
