AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He deserved a sweet woman. A woman who wanted the same things as him, who would love him and didn’t have a horrible past. Someone he’d be proud to have at his side.
She wasn’t that woman.
Teri wasn’t an idiot. She was a club whore, and men didn’t fall in love with club whores, especially not club men.
“I’ve seen the way Damon looks at you,” Chloe said. “There is something there.”
“Can we not talk about this?” Teri asked. She hated the sharp bite of pain that rushed through her body when she thought of what she could have had, but chose instead an easy life of jumping from one bed into another.
It had been easier at the time, at least she thought it had been. Now, not so much. The wisdom of age.
“Let’s get to work. You know I appreciate you guys helping me with everything.” Ever since Daniel had gone from prospect to full-fledged member, there had been a gap she needed to fill in the diner. Then of course with Anna out as well with Cole, she needed to employ some backup in case this ever happened again.
Caleb had been pissed with her for Kitty coming into work, especially as she was pregnant and he was so damn protective of her. They all were, including herself. Suzie had never worked in the diner before but had offered to come and help but that was who Suzie was, always helpful, and Teri was grateful to all of them.
The women went back to work while she tried to ignore the giant hole in her chest that Damon hadn’t come.
It was fine.
They were not on any guaranteed date.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Skylar asked.
She loved her sister so much. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
“You know you can talk to me about anything, don’t you?”
Teri smiled as she went to her sister. She wrapped her arms around her and gave her a hug. “Yes, I’m more than sure.” Only, she would never unload on her little sister. This was all on her.
She went back to her stove and flipped a couple more burgers from the orders that had come in.
Kitty came around back and smiled. “So Damon asked if he has to sit out front like a customer or if you want him in back here.”
Her heart flipped. There was no other word for it. Her hands shook a little and she clenched them into fists so no one saw it.
“He came?”
“He’s right outside, waiting.”
“Right. Of course. There is always a space here.” She had a table set up. Normally, she would have ingredients all over the table for easy use, but today, everything was quite clean.
Seconds passed, and Damon finally appeared.
There was a time she thought glasses were entirely nerdy, but Damon had a way of making them sexy. She licked her lips, feeling a sudden tightening within her body.
Arousal.
It had been a long time since she’d felt any sexual stirrings at all. Since Dane had come back home, it was like her body rejected all forms of pleasure.
“You made it,” she said.
“I’d have been here sooner, but James wanted a chat, then Dane stopped me. I got here as soon as I could.” He pulled out the chair. “What am I having?”
“What do you want?”
“Give me the house special today, beautiful.”
She smiled and got to work.
All her life, she’d been called beautiful, stunning, sexy, hot as fuck, all kinds of compliments to get her into bed. She never believed any of them, but Damon made them sound real.
There went her heart again, doing its little flip.
She got to work assembling a big-ass burger. Her house special changed depending on her mood, what was in season, and the weather. Today just screamed burger to her, and she loved assembling them, making them more elaborate than necessary.
With the burger built, she added a good portion of fries, drizzled it with her special cheese sauce, then placed it in front of him. “Enjoy.”
“I will, and the view.” He looked directly at her.
She gave him a smile. Get a grip, Teri. You’re not a teenage girl.
At that moment, she wanted to be, but ignored the impulse and got back to work.
“How come Suzie offered to help out today?” Damon asked.
Why did she notice his manners? The way he talked before taking a mouthful of food. It was odd how she noticed these little details about him that had never seemed relevant before.
“Cole’s got a temperature, so I told Anna to stay at home. To keep an eye on him.” She was so worried about that little boy. He really was a sweetheart. “Then with Daniel no longer a prospect, it doesn’t seem right calling him in for help.”
“How about you go to James and ask him to send you either a prospect or one of the women?” Damon asked. “It’ll help you out and you don’t have to worry about employing outside. You know if they fuck up, club will deal with it.”
