Page 3 of The Stalker Snafu

“I don’t want privacy.” I glanced at the bustling tables around us. They were too busy with their own lives. I lowered my voice, leaning forward so he could catch it. “I just want you to talk to me.”

“Now isn’t the right time⁠—”

“Happy birthday to you!” a jarring voice sang behind me, making me jump and turn in the booth.

A handful of waitstaff hovered nearby with wide smiles, and my eyes bugged out at what the girl in front presented on a pink plate.

It was the biggest waffle I’d ever seen in my life.

CHAPTER 2

A Candle

Not only was the waffle ginormous, but it sat atop its plate like a king on his throne—with chocolate chips, a mountain of whipped cream, and a lit pink candle in the center.

My jaw went slack.

“Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday⁠—”

Noah cleared his throat as the servers stepped up to our table, making a sharp gesture with his hand to cut it.

The singing came to an abrupt stop.

I wanted to hide my face in my hands under all the attention, but I forced another smile at the waitress holding the fancy waffle when she stepped forward. She put the plate on the table and slid it in front of me, moving my still uneaten platter of regular chocolate chip waffles aside as she glanced at Noah.

“Happy birthday,” she whispered to me. When I only smiled tightly back, she offered a weak wave before retreating with the rest of her singing troupe.

I hesitated, staring down at the plate of sugary goodness. It wasn’t just chocolate chips in the waffle, but dots of colored sprinkles turning it into a masterpiece.

I tore my eyes away from it long enough to cut a look at Noah. “What is this?”

His lips curved into a tight half smile. “I thought you’d want dessert.”

Oh.

I cleared my throat, and the waffle drew my gaze back like a magnet.

“We’re not finished discussing this,” I murmured, determined to ignore the new distraction and focus on Noah. “I’d really like to know why you were talking about me with your friend.”

His gaze lingered on the waffle. “Julian’s not happy with me lately. He’s concerned I’ve been taking too much time off work.”

I frowned. This was the first I was hearing about that. “You’ve been taking time off? Why?”

Hazel eyes locked onto mine. “To spend time with you.”

The admission—along with the way his eyes softened just a little as he said it—made my blood fizzle, and I swallowed before sidestepping that reaction. “Me?”

“Don’t look so surprised.” Noah’s lips twitched. “I thought I’ve been pretty clear about my feelings for you.”

The butterflies in my stomach never failed to take flight whenever Noah openly shared those feelings, and I fiddled with the drawstrings on my hoodie. “Yeah, but I didn’t know you were missing work because of me.”

“It wouldn’t usually be a big deal,” he said, “but my work isn’t exactly normal. It’s demanding, and the hours are unpredictable. My boss prefers we don’t get involved with anyone during big projects like the one we’re working on now.”

I blinked. “Like you’re not allowed to date? That’s crazy.”

A wry smile tugged at his lips. “My employer would disagree.”

I scowled. What company had enough power over their workers to ban that? “Noah, bosses can’t stop employees from dating. That’s not okay. In fact, I’m pretty sure it’s illegal. You should contact a lawyer! Or a consultants union or something.”