“I—I didn’t mean—” He huffed out a breath and sank into his chair.
“I’m sorry. I was just thinking how happy I am to spend time with you. I really want us to get to know each other better.” I settled my hand over his and his eyes immediately went to it before they met mine.
“I do too, but this is all new to me. I’m not really used to getting to know someone. I pretty much know everyone around here,” he admitted.
“I felt that way when I left. But don’t worry, we’ll figure it all out.”
“Ready to order?” the waitress asked.
“The bacon cheeseburger with fries,” Isaac said and for a moment all I could think was how different he was to how everyone seemed tothinkhe was.
Seven
Isaac
Our food came andthe two of us continued to talk. We talked even more than when Jack and I were together, which was saying something. Tig was different than anyone I’d met.He wanted me, I could see it, but he wanted toknowme, and I wasn’t sure he’d still want me once he knew me.
“What are you thinking about?” He took a bite of egg from the breakfast plate he’d ordered and stared at me long enough to force a smile out of me.
“Fucksake, I wasn’t thinking about anything. Well, actually I was thinking this was a good idea you had to buy me dinner,” I said, and hoped he let it go.
He pointed his fork at me and swallowed. “I think it was your idea.”
“Maybe.” I stared a moment longer and appreciated how deep brown his eyes were and how good his hair looked cut short. “Hey, where do you get your hair cut?”
“That’s random. Actually, I got it cut in town at Shear Bliss. I tried a barber in Woodland but it’s too far to drive. I want to start building my life here in Foggy Basin.” His words rang with conviction, but I wasn’t sure if it was directed at me or if he was trying to convince himself he wanted to stay.
“They do a great job.” I took a big bite of my burger and ignored the grin he wore. Goddammit why’d he have to be so fucking nice? I wasn’t used to nice.
“Do you want to talk more about my hair? Because I’m fine with that,” he said and shoved a big bite of toast in his mouth.
“And here I was just thinking how nice you are.”
“I’m really not, but I have everyone fooled.”
“You did seem to enjoy helping us surprise Jack at Christmas.” I stared at him, and I knew there was so much more to him than I thought. But I also thought there was a reason he was so guarded and wasn’t looking for a hookup.
“I did enjoy that, and I also enjoyed meeting you that night.”
What the hell was wrong with me that he could string a few words together and make my heart do that weird flippy thing that I swear I had not felt before I met him. After clearing mythroat, we finished eating and Tig paid the bill. “You know I was only joking about you buying me dinner.”
“I know,” he said as we walked outside the diner. “Are you ready to go home or do you mind spending a little more time together. I mean it’s still early.”
“What did you have in mind?”
“Come on,” he said and held his hand out. I gripped it and he pulled me along the street practically at a run until we got to where his truck was parked across from Nuts and Bolts.
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see. Don’t worry, you’ll like it.”
We hopped into his truck, and he headed toward the lake. “Are we going swimming? It’s still a little cold for that but if you’re game for skinny-dipping you can count me in,” I said, making him laugh.
“Not this time, but I’m going to hold you to that.”
“Yeehaw we’re going skinny-dipping this summer.” I wasn’t unhappy about that idea at all. Tig turned down one of the backroads that wove its way to a small hill that overlooked the lake and pulled to a stop. The sun was just about to set, and I didn’t think I’d ever noticed how beautiful it was.
“I love sunsets, and I wanted to share this one with you. That probably sounds corny.” Tig rubbed at the back of his neck and looked out the side window.
