Page 98 of Trucker
“You didn’t say anything wrong.” He assured me before hugging me. “I love hearing I belong to you. But we have to go—reservations.”
Trucker took me toHummingbird’s.
An elegant Jamaican restaurant that was a two-hour drive from Albright. It sat in Dourbon County on the ocean.
Though I had money, this place was so fancy, the wait list was two years long.
The waiter tried holding out my chair, but Trucker took over that job, and after he kissed my bare shoulder, I sat.
“Thanks.” I whispered.
He smiled and took his chair across from me.
The truth was, I felt out of place.
Trucker rested a warm hand on mine as if he could read my mind.
“Trucker!” A happy voice called. “You made it!”
Looking up, a man with a happy face, bright brown eyes and hair slicked back rushed over to greet my boyfriend.
Trucker grinned and stood to accept the hug he was given. The newcomer picked Trucker up, twirled him then sat him back on his feet.
They laughed.
“Oh—I’m sorry, Xu Shen, this is my girl, Taji Sloane.” Trucker introduced us. “Taji, Xu Shen.”
Rising I accepted the hand he extended and shook.
“Trucker shaved my life.” Xu Shen offered as if it was a normal thing.
Trucker was blushing, I could tell.
“He’s being dramatic.” Trucker replied. “It was a little smoke inhalation.”
“Maybe—but who figured out that I needed to be on oxygen?” Shen asked. “Those doctors would have never caught that.”
“Well, welcome toHummingbird’s.” Shen told me as Trucker and I sat again. “Helen is going to be upset she missed you again. But I’m sure she sends her love.”
“Taji lives in Albright.” Trucker explained. “I come down a lot to see her.”
“Drinks one night?” Shen asked. “I have some Baijiu with your name on it!”
Trucker laughed. “Deal.”
“And your money is no good here.” Shen patted Trucker’s shoulder. “No complaints.”
“Got it.” Trucker replied.
“I like him.” I grinned when we were alone. “He seems like a good friend—like he’s good to you.”
“He is. He and his wife Helen lived close to our station house before. His brother set his place on fire—tried to kill him.”
I gasped, leaning in.
“Why?”
“He wanted all of the father’s inheritance, not half.”
