So, no, she wouldn’t be telling him. She’d pick up some security cameras, install them herself, and take care of the problem. The police might be able to look the other way on a dogfighting ring, but if a citizen came to them with camera footage of someone scaling their fence in the middle of the night, they’d be forced to act.
Right?
Shaking off the negative start to the morning, Brooke spent the next hour playing fetch, running with the dogs, and focusing on basic obedience skills her fosters had never learned. Once the pack was panting and tuckered out—her included—she returned the pups to their kennels so she could grab a quick shower and head out to meet Curly.
Forty-five minutes later, hair still damp, she sat across from Curly in her favorite breakfast spot. He wore an outfit similar to every one she’d seen him in thus far. Dark T-shirt and jeans with boots. How he didn’t melt into a sweaty puddle every time he walked outside, she’d never understand. Still, the simple attire suited him, and he wore it well.
Well, ha, he wore it like the shirt had been painted on and the jeans custom fit.
Shit, she’d made a grave error in judgment.
How on earth had she expected to share a meal with the first man to give her an orgasm in over five years and not feel awkward as hell? Chalk it up to lack of experience, or so much time having passed since she’d been with a guy she completely forgot about the goddammed morning after, whatever. Moral of the story…she had no idea what to say to the man who looked like he just walked off the cover of some Harley magazine.
He, of course, came off totally at ease as he perused the menu. Probably had a different woman in his bed every weekend.
God, he must think her such a fool.
“So what’s good here?” he asked, finally breaking the silence.
She could have kissed him—only for breaking the silence, not because she remembered how intoxicating his kisses were.
Wait? What had he asked? “Um, sorry? What’d you say?”
His eyes sparkled over his menu as though he had a secret insight to her thoughts. “What do you recommend?”
Oh, food, right. “I always get the spicy chicken biscuit. It’s incredible. A huge piece of spicy fried chicken with pepper jack cheese and bacon all on a homemade biscuit. And I promise these are the best biscuits you’ll ever eat. And I’m not just saying that because the owner, Koryn, is a friend.”
“That’s high praise,” he said with an open grin that helped put her at ease. “Don’t forget I grew up here in the south, so I’ve had my fair share of biscuits.”
She gave him a sassy smirk. “I stand by my statement.”
“You like it hot, huh?”
“What?” she asked, nearly choking on her saliva. Where the hell was their waitress?
“Your food? You like spicy food?” The way he pressed his lips together said he knew exactly what he was doing to her.
“Oh.” She needed to get out more. Go on some dates, so she didn’t make such a fool of herself. “Yes. I do.”
“All right,” he said as their waitress walked over.
She seemed to be in her late twenties, early thirties at most. Her friendly smile and casual dress of denim and a company T-shirt fit with the welcoming environment.
“Mornin’, folks. I’m Sally, and I’ll be takin’ care of ya’ll today.” She was adorable in short denim shorts, a fitted T-shirt, the smooth skin of the youthful, and the kind of figure Brooke had only managed when practically starving herself at her husband’s behest. “Can I start ya’ll off with some coffee?”
“Yes, please,” she said.
“Make that two,” Curly added.
“Perfect. Ready to order?” She faced Curly as she spoke, which had Brooke’s hackles rising. Now that she’d told him her favorite meal, he’d probably order it for her, and there wasn’t anything that irked her more than when a man ordered her food as though she couldn’t speak for herself.
“I believe…” Curly started as he shut his menu with a charming smile or the waitress.
Brooke resisted the urge to roll her eyes, but it was tough.
Really tough.
“I believe I’m going to let the regular decide for me since this is my first visit.” As he handed the menu to Sally, his amused gaze fell to Brooke.
She blinked at him. This wasn’t the first time the man surprised her, and she had to admit, she loved it.