The Werewolf Dates The Deputy - Kristen Painter Page 0,61
but forty-five minutes seems like an eternity.”
“I’m right there with you.” He would have been happy to go to Howler’s, but Jenna wanted barbecue, and he wanted to make her happy.
A thought came to him.
“I have an idea.” He grabbed her hand. “Come on.”
She followed. “If you can get us dinner without the forty-five minute wait, you’re my hero.”
That was all the motivation Titus needed. He took them straight to the takeout window. There weren’t many people in line, since seating was reserved for table service. Customers getting food at the window weren’t eating it on the premises.
She nudged him. “I don’t want to rain on your parade, but barbecue is messy enough to eat sitting down. Standing up to eat it seems like a disaster waiting to happen.”
He winked at her. “We’re not going to eat standing up.”
Their turn to order came up, and hunger drove their decisions. They ended up with two sampler platters, an extra rack of dry-rub ribs, baked beans, green beans, coleslaw, cornbread, banana pudding for dessert, and drinks.
Titus paid, then turned to her. “Can you wait here for the food to come up? I’ll just be a few minutes. I need to go do something.”
She gave him a curious look but nodded. “Sure.”
He went out to his truck in the parking lot, keeping an eye on the time as he worked. He really hoped she liked his efforts, but the possibility existed she might think he’d lost it.
When he got back, their order was just being called. They each took a bag.
“Okay.” She looked at him. “Where are we sitting?”
“You’ll see. Right this way.”
He led her to the back of his truck. “What do you think?”
After putting the tailgate down, he’d set up his cooler in the center of the truck bed as a table and draped it with the old plaid blanket he kept on the back seat. With no candle or flowers to use as a centerpiece, he’d gone with the small emergency lantern that was part of the kit he kept with him at all times. He’d used two stadium cushions, left over from his nephew Charlie’s last soccer game, for seats.
“You just came up with this?”
He nodded. He’d done it for her. To impress her, sure, but also to show he was willing to go the extra bit for her. To do whatever it took to make her happy.
She smiled, eyes sparkling with delight. “I think it’s perfect. It’s better than perfect. Well done, Merrow.”
He exhaled the breath he’d been holding. “Thanks. I’m glad you like it.”
She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “My hero. Now let’s eat.”
He laughed as he set his bag down and climbed into the truck bed. He reached for her. “Let me help you.”
She put her bag next to his, then took his hand. He lifted her straight up until she was standing next to him. A few stars twinkled in the purple sky. He put his arm around her waist and pulled her in for a kiss.
He kept it short and sweet but did nothing to tame the possessive need coursing through him. He wanted Jenna. He thought maybe he’d wanted her for longer than he’d realized. No spell needed.
She leaned against him even after the kiss ended. “You’re pretty good at this dating stuff.”
“I’m glad you think so. I am really out of practice.” He gestured to one of the stadium cushions. “The truck bed isn’t the most comfortable thing to sit on. I hope that’ll do.”
“It’ll do. I’m not a delicate flower.”
“I like that about you.” Zoe probably wouldn’t have cared for it. She’d been a little particular about things at times.
Jenna started unpacking the bags, and in minutes, the top of the cooler was covered with takeout containers, lidded drinks, paper napkins, plastic utensils, and packets of wet wipes.
He sat across from her. Even by lantern light, she was beautiful. He lifted his paper cup. “Cheers.”
She tapped hers against his. “Thanks for doing all this.”
“Thanks for agreeing to do it.”
They dug into the food, which was amazing and messy and delicious in the way only good barbecue could be. They shared the ribs and bites of the side dishes, and when there was nothing left but bones, empty containers, and dessert, Titus groaned.
Jenna laughed and nodded. “I feel the same way. Good thing you’re not going for a run tonight.”
“Right? It would be more of a roll.” He glanced at the containers of banana pudding, which remained untouched. “There’s no way