Page 25 of Dragon's Rejected Mate

“At least I had the opportunity to spread my wings, so to speak,” Luke said.

“There is that. Let me know when you have time to go out again.”

“Will do.”

Luke checked the time. He could go to the hardware store for a couple of hours, but he really didn’t want to deal with his father. He had already told his dad he wasn’t coming in, so Luke went home. He took a nap until it was time to get ready for the date.

He wasn’t thinking anything too fancy for the date. He pulled on a pair of jeans and a black, collarless, button down shirt. He pulled on his boots and called it good.

Jamie didn’t disappoint him. Luke stared at the woman who opened her door. She had been beautiful in jeans and with her hair pulled back into a bun. She was absolutely gorgeous now.

She grabbed her purse and stepped outside, making sure to lock her door.

The steak house wasn’t too busy and they were able to get a table right away. They were seated at one of the booths that afforded them a little bit of privacy. The candle and rose in the center of the table were a nice touch.

“I haven’t been here in ages,” Jamie said, looking around. “I don’t think anything has changed in forever.”

“It’s exactly the same as when I was a kid, I think,” Luke remarked.

The waiter came and took their orders. Luke liked that Jamie knew exactly what she wanted and didn’t hesitate to ask for it.

Luke accidently stretched his leg out too far and rubbed against Jamie’s boot.

“Sorry about that. I take up a lot of room.”

“Ah, gee. I thought you were flirting with me,” she said, laughing.

“You caught me,” Luke replied.

He stretched his arm out on the table and touched Jamie’s. He was surprised that little touch jumpstarted a little fire inside of him.

“Zeke, Clara’s son, asked me if Santa was going to bring me any presents this year,” Jamie said.

“Were you a good girl?” Luke asked.

“I was a very good girl,” Jamie said. “What about you? Is Santa going to bring you anything?”

“Mmm, I don’t know about that,” Luke said.

He enjoyed the light banter that followed. There were no awkward moments of silence between them.

Their dinner was brought to the table and he noticed that Jamie ate with relish. He was glad of that, because it drove him crazy to see women pick at their food like birds.

The waitress brought the dessert menu and they both ordered some cheesecake.

Luke leaned over and started to ask Jamie a question, but was interrupted.

“Luke. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

He cringed. He didn’t even have to look up to see who had interrupted their evening.

“Alexis.”

“I was having dinner with one of my good friends and saw you over here. I just had to say hello. I was telling her all about you,” Alexis gushed.

You don’t know anything about me.

Alexis pointedly ignored Jamie. She moved close enough to Luke that his arm was touching her torso. He thought about moving over so that he wasn’t touching her, but didn’t because Alexis would take that as an invitation to sit down.

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