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His question pulls me out of my head, and I realize he still has his hand on my thigh. “I’m good,” I tell him.
“This time of year, late April, is iffy on the weather. Some days it’s warm, others not so much. Adjust the heat if you need to.”
“I’m fine,” I assure him. If anything, it’s too hot in the cab of his truck. Specifically, where his hand is resting on my thigh. However, that’s a double-edged sword because even though I know it’s wrong, I don’t want him to move it.
The drive to Dorothy’s is short, not giving time for any kind of awkward silence to settle between us. I have no doubt that’s coming. Merrick parks the truck and turns to look at me. “Stay put.” He then lifts his hand from my thigh, grabs his phone and keys, and climbs out of the truck. I’m reaching for the door handle when he yanks my door open. He offers me his hand, and I smile as I take it and allow him to help me down.
“You’re pulling out all the stops, huh?” I ask. My hand is locked in his as he leads me to the door of the diner.
“No. I’m just being me.” His reply is so nonchalant like he couldn’t imagine being any other way. And I suppose that’s probably true. Merrick and Maverick and all of their brothers were always nice and respectful. They didn’t care who you were or where you landed on the social ladder, they were nice to you. Their parents did a hell of a job raising nine boys—sorry, nine men—to be gentlemen.
With his free hand, he pulls open the door to the diner and nods for me to enter. Not once does he let go of my hand. “Where do you want to sit?” I ask, keeping my voice low.
“Let’s go to the back.”
I nod, telling him I agree, and he leads us to the booth at the very back.
“I know we’re supposed to be seen together, but this looked more—intimate, I guess,” I say, keeping my voice soft so only he can hear me once we’re settled across from one another in the booth.
“I agree. Us being cozied up in the corner will definitely get people talking.”
“That’s what we want?” I ask, because honestly, I’m not sure.
“We do. Town gossip will go a long way in convincing your family we’re the real deal.”
“They believe me. As long as I bring you to dinner, I don’t think a single doubt will cross their minds, which is surprising.”
“How so?”
I shrug. “You’re you.”
“None of that.” His voice pitches low, and he gives me a look I imagine his dad giving him and his brothers growing up when they were causing mischief.
“I’m a realist, Merrick.”
He’s shaking his head, but before he can scold me, our server steps to the table to take our order. As soon as he’s gone, Merrick’s cousin, Ramsey, takes his place.
“Hey, you two,” she greets us. She offers me her hand. “I’m Ramsey.”
“Courtney. It’s nice to meet you.” Of course, I already knew who she was, but I’d never actually met her. She’s been in the boutique while I was working, but I’ve always been helping customers.
“Where’s my girl?” Merrick asks her.
“Sitting across from you the last I heard,” Ramsey fires back, quirking her brow.
Merrick chuckles. “I mean Bryn.”
“She’s at home with her daddy. We’re cleaning out the garage today, so I ran to pick up lunch.”
“Nice. You need any help?”
“No, but thank you for the offer. Cleaning out the garage really consists of pulling out the cars and sweeping.” She laughs. “We’re not getting all crazy.” Her eyes sparkle. “Courtney, it was nice meeting you. Mer, I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Yeah, we’ll be there,” Merrick tells her.
Her eyes light up at his confession. “Perfect. Enjoy your lunch.”
“Don’t let that husband of yours work too hard,” Merrick calls after her.
