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“Fifteen.”
“Here,” he says, handing me a twenty.
“Let me get you change.” Grabbing my moneybag from the drawer, I slip the twenty in and look for a five.
“Keep it. Just a small thank you for squeezing me in at lunch.”
“Well, thank you,” I reply, sticking the five back in the bag and closing the drawer.
“Come eat with me. It’s the least I can do for making you miss most of your lunch,” he says, drawing my attention back to him. He’s standing on the other side of the counter, his arms casually crossed over his chest.
“I don’t have time,” I reply, standing up across from him. Even with a counter between us, I can’t help but feel so small in his looming presence.
Linkin glances at his watch. “You’ve got thirty minutes before your next appointment.”
Just as I’m about to make some excuse for not going, my stomach growls, loudly. He doesn’t say anything, just raises his eyebrow at me as if in challenge.
“Fine. You’re buying,” I say, turning around and grabbing my purse from where I set it by my workstation. “I’ll be back in thirty,” I holler at my coworkers, who are all smiling and watching me. Assholes.
Outside, the sun is shining brightly in the November sky. The air is clear and crisp, a trace of salt coming from the Bay. Linkin’s hand is large and warm against my lower back and he guides me towards the café.
“Wait. We can’t go there,” I say, stopping in my tracks. Christine and Clayton are down there, and if they see me come in, they’ll know I totally lied to get them to go to lunch together. Of course, I’m pretty sure they both know anyway, but I don’t feel like letting them call me out right now.
“We can head down to the burger joint back that way,” he says, pointing behind us.
“I love Fast Burger,” I state, more to myself than anyone else. Chris was never a fan of the greasy fast food burger joint, which makes my visits there that much more joyous.
“Me too. There’s something about a big, juicy double burger with fries.”
“Agreed.”
Together, we make our way down the block and into the small burger place. There’s a line at the counter and only a few tables open. The good thing about the place is that they’re usually quick, hence the name, so it shouldn’t be a problem to order, eat, and get back before my next appointment.
“Why don’t you grab a table and I’ll order,” he offers, pointing to one of the open spaces.
“Okay.”
“What would you like?”
Well, isn’t that the loaded question? I find myself wanting more than I probably should when my sexy neighbor is around. He’s arrogant and cocky, but I’m drawn to him just the way I was to all of the bad boys in high school.
“A double with everything and fries. Cheese on the side. Oh, and a cherry cock.” Realization sets in, causing my cheeks to flame for the second time in a short period of time. “I mean Coke!”
Oh. My. God.
Leaning down, Linkin looks me square in the eye. “Anytime you want it, sweetheart.”
My cheeks burn under the fluorescent lighting, but I can’t seem to look away. I feel his gaze burning through my eyes, down my face, and into my soul.
Without waiting for a reply, he heads up to get in line to place our order. I, on the other hand, consider slipping out the door and running as far away as I can get. Guam, perhaps? But then reality slaps me upside the face. The man knows where I work and lives next door to me. Chances of another encounter are pretty damn good, you know?
Sighing, I take a seat at one of the remaining tables. To occupy my time until our food is ready, I check my phone. Two texts from Chris that I ignore and an email from my attorney. All things that can wait until later tonight, after I’ve had a glass of wine and am better prepared to deal with his brand of drama.
Linkin sets a tray of food down on the table and pulls out the chair across from me. He looks so large in the average sized chair, which makes me wonder how tall he is.
“Six four.”
“What?” I ask as he sets a wrapped burger in front of me.
