Page 60 of Cautious Love

She pulls back with a frown, and I hustle over to him.

“Family lunch date?” I ask.

They all nod, and Ledger looks up at me. I almost wipe my face, wondering if I have something on it.

“Can I get you something?” I squeak. I don’t know what to do or how to act, especially since his tongue was down my throat less than twenty-four hours ago.

The corner of his mouth tips up, and I bristle a little.He’s enjoying this.

“A cup of coffee and whatever today’s special is.”

I spin on my heel, trying to get away from them as fast as possible. I give Bear his order and bring a cup of coffee over to him. Instead of letting me set the cup on the table, he takes it from me, grazing our fingers in the process, and I realize it’s entirely possible I might spontaneously combust right here and now.

“Thank you, Shy,” he rumbles.

“Yep,” I say and turn around.

The bell dings. “Order up!” Bear yells.

I nearly run to the window because I need to put distance between us and reach for a tray, filling it with their food.

Lifting it onto my shoulder, I walk back, and Ledger stands and takes the plates off my tray, handing them to his family. I stare at him, holding the now empty tray, and he winks before sitting back down.

I start to ask the rest of the table to see if they need anything else, but they’re all staring at us.

Oh no.

I spin around and almost trip over my feet trying to get away. I’m not a clumsy girl, but my knees feel weak and I need some fresh air.

“Bear, holler at me when the next order is ready. I need a minute,” I mutter, breezing past him and out the back door like my ass is on fire.

The cool air fills my lungs. Fall is nearly here, and it’s refreshing. This summer was too hot for comfort, and I love the crispness it brings.

Leaning against the wall, I close my eyes and will my heart to stop dancing around. It doesn’t want to believe that Ledger and I aren’t a thing, can’t be a thing, and won’t be a thing even if I wanted it.

I dig my phone out of my pocket and pull Dad’s number up. It’s been a while since we talked, and I should call him.

“Shy!” Bear yells.

I groan into the sky and force myself back into the diner. Bear holds out Ledger’s plate for me, and I carry it to his table, setting it in front of him.

“Thank you,” he says quietly, as if we’re the only people in the diner and his family isn’t staring at us.

“You’re welcome. Can I get you anything else?” I ask him and surprise myself with my professional fake customer service voice.

Something flashes in his eyes, and his brows do that cute crinkle thing before he shakes his head. “I’m good.”

“Uh, can I get some more coffee?” Cooper calls.

“Owe! What?” he says.

I look at Cooper and his wife is whispering something in his ear.

He glances at my hand. “Oh,ohhh,” Cooper says to Mae.

I roll my eyes and go get the carafe to fill it.

Once I’m done, I wait a breath. No one asks for anything, and I take my leave, hoping and praying someone else walks through that door so I don’t have to keep checking on them every five minutes.