Page 72 of Shattered Skull

“This is the second time I’ve been here,” I said, reaching for the menu.

He lifted a brow as if he didn’t believe me.

“Seriously. Washington doesn’t have Waffle Houses.”

I laughed when his eyes grew wide.

“Sounds like Washington sucks,” he said, grinning at the menu instead of looking back at me.

He was teasing me. At least I thought he was. He wasn’t a talkative guy, but I was learning more about him by being around him.

He set the menu down and leaned back in the booth with his arm draped across the back. “Order whatever you want.”

“You’re not going to eat.”

“No. I’m not hungry.”

“Then I’m not going to eat.” I shrugged and set my menu down.

Without arguing with me, like he usually did, he sighed and reached for the menu again.

When the waitress came to our booth, we both ordered the breakfast sampler, which came with eggs, hash browns, and bacon. Then we sat quietly until our food arrived.

He stared out the window, watching the cars go by on the main road, and I stared at him, enjoying his gorgeous profile and the way his jaw flexed when he realized I was looking at him.

“Tell me something about you,” I requested, taking a sip from my water.

He turned toward me, his eyes moving over my face as if he were trying to figure me out.

“There’s nothing to tell.”

I snorted. “That’s a lie. You’re one of the most interesting people I’ve ever met.”

“Then you need to get out more.”

“I’m serious. So, tell me, do you have much family?”

His jaw went tight, and I knew I had struck a nerve. I opened my mouth to take my question back, but he answered.

“I have an older brother.”

“Are you guys close?”

He nodded. “We were all each other had growing up.”

My heart ached for him, and even though I wanted to push for more, I didn’t.

“It’s good you have him.”

“Yeah. The guys count too. They’re like family.”

“How did you meet them?”

Just as he was about to speak, the waitress showed up with our food. He pulled out his fork, ready to eat, and I knew I wasn’t going to get an answer to my last question.

Maybe another day.

We were finishing up when his cell rang. He picked it up, checked who was calling with a sigh, and then answered.

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