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“All day, every day.” She gave him a warm smile.
“I’ll have two orders of pancakes, bacon, sausage, some fried eggs, and whipped cream on the side, please.”
“Is that it?” Betty eyed Emma.
“Yup,” Emma answered.
“Be right out.” The waitress turned and left them alone once more.
“Guess you’re hungry enough for the both of us,” Emma teased.
Link patted his hard stomach. He’d done a lot more working out at the Tidal Gym since his father had passed.
“One of those pancakes is for you. That’s why I ordered the whipped cream.”
“I told you I’m not hungry.”
“And I told you I’m gonna take care of you,” he teased.
“I believe you said you wouldn’t let anything happen to me. That’s different,” Emma argued.
He shrugged. “Same difference. Both ways you get taken care of.”
“Why do you care so much all of a sudden?” Emma’s voice sounded bitter.
Jesus, he’d really done a number on her. He understood sometimes it was easier to be angry than face those uncomfortable facts and feelings. “You’re family. And real family takes care of each other.”
She winced. Right. Her family of origin had abandoned her. That was a sore spot, understandably.
“How’s work?” He sipped his coffee. It was a little weak, but it would do.
She tugged her bottom lip into her mouth, and his cock jumped to attention. He pressed his hand down, trying to get his dick under control.
“It’s fine.”
“I saw the spread you guys had in Rolling Stone. That was pretty sweet.”
She shrugged before taking another drink of her coffee.
“It’s gotta be nice to have it all like you’ve always wanted,” he pressed. Having a conversation with her was like pulling teeth. Usually, she was the one jabbering on.
Then I had to go and put my dick in her and complicate everything.
Her gaze flicked to his, vulnerability flashing in those aqua pools. “It’s not all it’s cracked up to be.”
“Living the actual dream isn’t all you’d hoped?” Disbelief coated his words.
Her flinch was so microscopic that if he hadn’t been studying her, he would have missed it. Any vulnerability in her gaze was gone, replaced with steel walls. She laughed a moment later, a far too bright smile showing her teeth. “You’re right. What could a woman like me be lacking?”
Something about the way she said it made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. Was she in over her head? Was life on the road too much for her? Was this just the grief talking?
Before he could voice any of his concerns, Betty returned and emptied her tray of food onto the table.
“Thanks,” Link said.
“Let me know if you need anything else.” She filled up their coffees once more before she left.
Link pushed a plate of pancakes towards Emma, throwing on a couple pieces of bacon. “Eat up, buttercup.”
