Page 6 of A Reaper's Devotion
It hadn’t taken them long to get the café up and functional after she had been attacked a few months ago.The furniture had been replaced, the surfaces cleaned, and there was not a single sign that a thug had attempted to hurt Amy.Again, just what the Reapers did.
The men responsible were all dead.It was why they now monitored the town line.Cyrus had been the one to install all the necessary equipment to make sure they knew who came into town, and more importantly, who left.
The café had turned into a romantic setting.The lights were dimmed low, and the aromas in the air were intoxicating.Penelope was on the front desk and thankfully appeared to be in a good mood.
It wasn’t long before they were seated, and as he sat opposite Willow, he saw how nervous she was.Reaching across the table, he took her hand.She had nothing to be nervous about.He was here because he wanted to be here.
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Willow had been tothis café many times.Sometimes, like the other day, she sat in, enjoyed her coffee, and read the morning paper.Other times, she took a coffee and baked snack to go.
Never had she been on a date in this café.
Cyrus ordered them a glass of red wine, which she had never tried.She had never tried white wine.She simply didn’t drink, but there was no harm in trying something.
Glancing across the menu, Willow saw the meatballs and spaghetti, but she also saw the steak and potatoes with peppercorn sauce, not to mention the spicy chicken.All the food looked delicious.Even the dessert menu was screaming to be tried.Chocolate mousse, chocolate pudding, sticky toffee pudding.The list was never-ending, and making her mouth water for every bite.
“I have no idea what to order,” she said.
“Tell me about it.I came in here thinking I’m having the prime rib, now the steak and potatoes are calling my name, and that peppercorn sauce is to die for.”He let out a groan.“How about we make a deal?”
“A deal?”
“We try one thing each time we come here for a date?”Cyrus asked.
“More than one date?”
“You don’t think this is going to end with just one date, do you?”
She opened her mouth and closed it, and felt her cheeks get warm.“Uh, in all honesty, I didn’t know what to expect.”She pressed her lips together.“Can I be honest with you?”
“Sure.”
She leaned forward just a bit.“I’ve never been on a date before.I don’t have a lot of hobbies.I’ve spent a lot of time taking care of my mom, and just getting through each day.I’m not an exciting person.”She was not about to tell him that to help with the cost of the medical bills, she wrote erotic fiction.That had to be the most exciting thing about her, and it also made her quite nervous.
Her mother had always been proud of her, and demanded she be allowed to read the books.At first that had been hard, allowing anyone to read the work she wrote, but after a few of the books and her mother demanding more, it got easier.
Willow made a good living.She didn’t need to have a second job, and could just write, but she wanted to help in town and contribute.Also, it wasn’t exactly hard work either.Admittedly, it was just her first day, but she enjoyed it.It felt like she was helping the town, keeping an eye in case of any threat.
“Babe, I’m an electrician and gas man.There is nothing exciting in my life,” he said.“Besides, I kind of think this is exciting.”
“This?”
“You and me, going on a date, finally.”
Her stomach had little butterflies going off inside.She looked toward him.“Finally?”
Cyrus put down his menu and looked across at her.“Your mother knew I wanted to ask you out on a date, but she also knew you’d be in a place that meant you and I wouldn’t work.I’ve waited to ask you, Willow.I’ve been wanting to ask you for quite some time.This, to me, is exciting.Being around you excites me.Don’t worry about anything or everyone else.This is between you and me.”
She couldn’t look away.She was totally enraptured by him.
Then, Penelope came to their table.Cyrus didn’t let her hand go.
“Hey, gorgeous people,” she said.“Are you guys ready to order?”
“I’ll have the steak, potatoes, and that peppercorn sauce.For dessert, the sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream, and whipped cream,” Cyrus said.
“You know, that sounds amazing.I’ll have the same.”
