AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Which one are you staying at?”
“The Fit Mountain Resort.”
Duke chuckles. "Nah. I've been there once or twice."
Just as he turns the key in the ignition, my stomach betrays me with a loud, embarrassing growl.
My cheeks burn. “Sorry,” I tell him. “I didn't eat on the plane, and now I'm starving."
“No need to apologize. We’ll pick something up on the way. What are you in the mood for?"
"Um, would a burger and fries be okay?" I ask hesitantly, suddenly worried about imposing on him.
Duke grins, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “I know the perfect spot.”
The truck's engine hums as we drive down the smooth streets, and I find myself feeling more at ease with each passing minute. As we drive, I steal glances at Duke's strong profile.
There's something about him that makes me feel safe and protected. I can't help but wonder what it would be like for this mountain of a man to hold me close, to whisper sweet nothings in my ear...
Duke clears his throat. "So, what do you do for work?"
“For work?” I repeat.
Duke chuckles. “Hopefully, not in your dad's former line of business.”
For a second, I consider lying to him. Most people don't take me seriously when I tell them about my job. But something about Duke makes me feel like I can be honest.
"I'm a food critic, actually. I run my own blog. Well, a website.”
"Really? That's cool," Duke says, surprising me with his genuine interest. "What's the name of your blog?"
“It’s called 'Grace’s Plate,” I confess, still waiting for him to laugh or make fun of me. Instead, he seems genuinely impressed.
"I'll have to check it out sometime.”
I feel a thrill run through me at the thought of Duke reading my words.
We get to the burger place a few minutes later. As we pull into the drive-thru line, the retro neon sign flickers like a beacon in the night. The smell of sizzling burgers and salty fries wafts through the open windows, and my stomach rumbles in anticipation.
When we get to the pick-up window, an older woman with a face framed by wisps of silver hair appears. She takes one look at us and beams like a proud grandmother.
"Well, if it isn't our Duke with a beautiful lady!" Jenny exclaims, her voice laced with surprise and delight.
Her gaze shifts between Duke and me, a knowing smile playing on her lips as she hands him my food. "I should've known, what with the extra order of fries. You're on a date, aren't you?"
Duke chuckles, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Now, Jenny, don't go spreading rumors," he teases, but there's a softness in his tone that wasn't there before.
Jenny merely winks at him, the mischievous glint in her eyes as bright as the neon lights overhead. "Oh, I've got eyes, Duke. And they've seen enough to know when a young man is smitten."
I feel my cheeks heat up, and I instinctively duck my head. The idea of being on a date with Duke sends a flurry of butterflies through my stomach, but I brush it off, laughing it away.
"Now, you two enjoy your meal," she says, handing over our order with a final, knowing smile.
As the car speeds down the road, the crinkling of the fast-food bag fills the air between us. Duke glances at me, a playful grin on his face."I thought you said you were hungry."
I clutch the burger to my chest, suddenly self-conscious. "I don't want to make a mess in your car," I admit.
"If you make a mess, I'll clean it up."
