To Bill’s credit, he has a decent poker face. “I don’t think you’ve ever brought a girlfriend here.”
“You’re probably right,” Jake laughs. “She’s special.” He doesn’t look at me, but he squeezes my hand, and my stomach flip-flops.
“She must be,” Bill says, assessing me, while my face burns. “Well, welcome, Lucy. I hope you like burgers and fries.”
“I do,” I manage. “They smell delicious.”
Bill pauses, looking at both of us more carefully. “You two look really nice. Are you going somewhere after this?”
As one, Jake and I immediately lock eyes, a smirk appearing on both of our faces. Obviously, we're thinking the same thing.
“We just came from somewhere, actually,” he says finally. “But it was kind of a lame dinner, so we decided to get some actual food.”
Bill laughs. “Well you’ve come to the right place. Do you know what you want?”
Jake turns to me. “Do you have any allergies or any food restrictions?”
I shake my head. “Nope.”
Jake flashes me a dimple. “Do you trust me?”
His gray eyes are focused on me, and somehow, I know he’s asking about more than just my dietary preferences.
I…never thought I’d trust another man after what happened with Weston. But I know the answer.
Jake is gentle, kind, and sweet. He stayed by my side when I was panicking in the ER parking lot. He made sure that my patient Tanya was okay. He jumped in to help me with Weston, no questions asked. He’s my firm ground—steady, solid, something to cling to in the chaos. A beacon in a sea of turbulent waters. A safe haven.
I’m so gone for this man.
“Yes,” I say, squeezing his hand. I try to impart everything I’m feeling into that one touch.
Jake holds my gaze for a beat and nods. “Bill, let’s introduce Lucy properly to your food. Two burgers all the way, and the trifecta of onion rings, fries, and cheese curds. Do you drink beer?”
I grin. “Beer always goes well with burgers. I’m partial to wheat beer.”
Jake’s eyes glow. “A girl after my own heart. Add two wheat beers, whatever’s on tap.”
“You got it,” Bill says and turns back to the grill. “You guys grab a seat anywhere you want.”
Jake and I only release our hands when we settle on opposite sides in one of the beat-up wooden booths. When have I ever felt this…content?
“This is way better than staying at that stuffy event,” I say.
Jake loosens his tie and somehow manages to look more handsome than he did before. He was already looking more settled in the parking lot, but now, he has an easy calm about him that fills me with an unexpected joy. “I was up for anything, but I admit I’m really excited for a Bill’s burger.”
“Me too.” I pause. “Jake, I’m sorry if I made things worse between you and Sterling. I didn’t realize how bad he was until I met him myself. You really were downplaying what he’s like.”
Jake runs a hand through his hair. “Honestly, while I appreciate your apology, it’s unnecessary. Nothing you could do or say would have made a difference. I was pretty much disowned after I told my dad I dropped out of medical school and became a nurse. And Sterling and my dad pretty much agree on everything.”
My jaw drops open. “Your dad disowned you? For that?”
“My dad is old school when it comes to what kinds of jobs are acceptable for men to have. He cut me off financially after that night, not that I wanted to touch any more Whitlock money. I’ve never wanted to be a trust-fund kid.” Even though Jake is much more himself here at Bill’s, the mention of his father galvanizes his leg to move up and down.
There’s nothing I want more than to ease that tension.
“That took a lot of guts,” I say firmly. “I feel like I’ve been drifting a lot, especially lately. I know better than most how hardit is to pursue your own dreams in the face of parental disapproval. You should be proud of standing up for yourself.”
Unlike me.
