Heart Beats (Joker's Sin #3) - Davidson King Page 0,14

asked what was up, and I just told him I was in a good mood. I rushed through my closing routine, and Toby dropped me off at my place. I thought I’d have trouble falling asleep, but I didn’t.

Of course I woke up only a few hours later and wasn’t able to fall back asleep. It was only seven, too early to text Ledger about lunch. So, I took a shower, ate a banana, decided to watch some news…That was depressing, so I played some video games. Time trickled on and finally, at ten, I decided to text Ledger, asking if we were still on for lunch. And I waited.

It took him half an hour to respond, and all the text said was: For sure. Let’s meet at the diner.

Now, if you didn’t live in Haven Hart, saying “the diner” would be vague, and you’d ask which one. But anyone who had lived here for a while knew the diner meant the only one that was any good. It was crazy retro, and the food was artery-clogging and amazing.

Sure.

I had a lot of time, but I’d have to take the bus there, and that meant catching one that wouldn’t make me late. I changed my outfit a lot and couldn’t remember if I put deodorant on, so I was pretty sure I put it on twice. By the time I was on the bus, I probably should’ve put it on once more for good measure. I didn’t know why I was so nervous, but I was.

I’d lived in Haven Hart long enough to be recognized when I walked in. One of the servers, Betty, smiled and waved for me to pick a seat. One quick look told me Ledger wasn’t here, so I chose a booth in the back corner. I didn’t know what he’d say or why he’d really asked me to come, but I wanted privacy regardless.

Although I knew what I’d be ordering, I didn’t want to look like I was eagerly awaiting Ledger’s arrival, so I perused the menu. Whenever the bells chimed over the diner door, I discreetly looked up. I checked my phone, and it was five after one. Late, of course. I hoped he wasn’t standing me up.

“Hey,” Ledger said as he sat across from me. How’d I miss him arriving?

“Hi.”

“Sorry I’m late. Lion wouldn’t get off me, and I had to race to get out.” He chuckled.

“No problem, I just got here anyway.”

“Hey, dolls,” Betty greeted us when she came to our table. “I thought Shane here was going to be eating alone. He’s been here a while.”

Mental note to thank Betty with a bag of burning shit for that unwanted tidbit. Ledger smiled and the way he looked at me, I knew I’d given my eagerness away.

“I had trouble getting here, no big. So, you ready to order, Shane?” he asked, never once opening the menu.

“Yeah, bacon burger, fries, and a chocolate milkshake, please.”

Betty nodded and asked Ledger for his order.

“Chicken club, tater tots, and a coke.”

“You got it, be right back with your drinks.” I watched as Betty left, the buffer I hadn’t realize I’d wanted. Now it was just Ledger and me.

“You seem nervous.” He spoke softly and calmly, and I realized it was silly to be anxious. We’d worked together for over a year, and we were together at the con. Why was this more nerve-wracking?

“Nope. I’m cool.” I could feel his intense gaze on me, but I avoided it, taking the time to people-watch instead.

“If you rather not be here, you can—”

“No,” I practically shouted making a few heads turn our way. “No, I’m fine. Sorry. It’s weird, I guess. We’ve never really just hung out.”

“Oh, that’s not true.” Ledger scoffed. “I helped you move, and the con, and we work together, and what about the beer at my place?”

The reminder of being at his place and the almost-kiss made heat rush to my cheeks, and I cursed my pale complexion.

“Yeah, but all those were reasons to be thrown together. This is the first time it’s for no other reason than just to hang and have lunch.”

He nodded. He didn’t say anything, but damned if I didn’t feel his gaze all the way to my cock. I hadn’t been with a lot of people, but I knew when one was interested, and any doubt that I thought Ledger wasn’t immediately dissipated with his salacious grin and the lustful sparkle in his eyes.

“Here are your drinks, food’ll be up