Page 26 of Protect and Serve

They bantered like that all the way into town. It was comfortable and extremely enjoyable, but Claire was distracted by the scent of his cologne, which made her head spin. His presence had an effect on her too. Like there was some cosmic power, some energy, pulling them closer.

There was also a comforting familiarity, as though there were not ten years gaping between them. As though they’d always been friends and were now exploring something more.

He parked in front of Bubba’s and came around to open her door, but stopped to pick up a small package in the backseat first. “What is that?” she asked as he took her hand to help her out.

“You’ll see,” he said with a wink.

Jesse was on duty on the restaurant side of the business. When she saw Charlie, she broke into a grin. “Good evening, Officer Dunham,” she said. “Your table is ready.” She led them to one of the booths on the side and waved them in.

But before he sat, Charlie pulled something out of the bag he’d brought. “Could you clear the table for a sec?” he asked.

Jesse nodded and removed the ketchup, sugar bowl and other condiments and napkin holder and then, to Claire’s surprise, Charlie whipped out a pristine linen tablecloth and settled it on the tabletop. Ah, but he wasn’t done. He extracted a candle and set it on the table too.

He stepped back to survey his work. “There,” he said. “Practically Tavern on the Green.”

Well, not hardly, but it was adorable. She loved that he’d gone to the effort.

When they were both seated, and Jesse had repositioned all the tableware, he grinned at Claire. It made a shiver dance down her spine. “Do you need a menu?”

She shook her head. She had no idea why she suddenly felt shy. Certainly the accoutrements of a fancy date hadn’t done that.

“A wine list?”

She sputtered a laugh and her reserve melted. He had a way of doing that, with a look or a quip. Making her feel utterly at home. She glanced at Jesse. “Do you have any Château Lafite?”

Jesse’s nose curled. “Chateau la what?”

Charlie chuckled. “Two beers, please.” He smiled at Claire. “Are you ready to order?”

“I was born ready.” She checked to make sure Jesse had her pad out before she began. “I would like a double bacon cheeseburger, medium, with sharp cheddar—none of that American crap—grilled onions and fresh avocado on the side.”

Jesse nodded and turned to Charlie.

He pointed to Claire. “I’ll have what she’s having.”

“Fries?”

Claire frowned. “Should I get fries or onion rings?”

“Why don’t you get one and I’ll get the other and we can share?”

She stared at him. Oh God. He was, possibly, the perfect man. “In that case, bring some ranch dressing for dipping sauce too.”

“Any dessert?”

Their gazes tangled. Charlie reached over and took Claire’s hand. “Why don’t we wait to decide on dessert?”

Holy crap. There was so much subtext in that one sentence. “Okay.”

Okay to all of it.

When Jesse left, they fell silent, but there was no awkwardness, nothing lacking in their exchange. They held hands and looked into each other’s eyes. His lips quirked and she had to respond with a smile.

It was just perfect.

Maybe not perfect. The lights overhead were bright and blaring and someone had put Slim Whitman on the jukebox in the bar, so there was yodeling, but it was pretty close.

Charlie ran his thumb over her palm and it made goosebumps rise on her skin.