Hidden Mate

25

“Okay, we can scout out things around the stadium, and when Sadie gets back, she can stake out the perimeter of the woods.” Egan nodded. “Hopefully, nothing will happen, but we need to be prepared.”

“Great, now we can go relax before we work all night.” Roxy yawned.

I Ubered to Haynes Steakhouse. The building was older but had brand-new charcoal blue siding. It had two dark, cherry wood doors with a bronze sign perched above it. Mercedes-Benzes, BMWs, Lexus, and other high-end cars were sitting in the parking lot.

For a second, I considered leaving. I wore dressy-casual clothes—black slacks and a white belted shirt—which was the bare minimum dress standard for a place like this. But I didn’t want to hurt or upset Donovan like that. Even though he was rough around the edges, there was something about him I didn’t want to ruin.

“Ma’am.” The driver sounded annoyed. “We’re here.”

“Oh, yeah.” I pulled my phone from my purse and added a tip. “Thanks.”

As soon as the door shut, the driver sped away.

My phone showed it was five after six, which meant I was already a few minutes late. Roxy had given me the rundown on ways to ensure this didn’t turn into a date. She was being ridiculous. He’d asked me here to accomplish two things: knock out schoolwork and watch what to expect on his job.

I approached the doors, and a guy my age opened it for me and waved me inside. “Welcome to Haynes Steakhouse,” he greeted.

“Thanks.” The restaurant reminded me so much of the places Dad conducted business. He didn’t favor chain restaurants or the super upscale but the ones in between. They garnered the least amount of attention.

The hostess smiled. “Hi, how many will be joining your party tonight?”

“June, she’s with me.” Donovan’s raspy voice washed over me.

“What?” The hostess pouted as she glanced from him to me. “I thought you were single.”

Subtle was not her name.

“Yeah, I am.” He didn’t take his eyes off me. “But hopefully, not for much longer.”

My body warmed, and I took a step back. Roxy was right. This wasn’t smart.

“She doesn’t seem interested,” the hostess quipped.

“That’s where you’re wrong.” He strolled over to me, his blue eyes deepening to navy as he scanned me.

Between his words, the snug black slacks that left little to the imagination, and the white button-down that hugged his body, danger surrounded me. I wanted him so damn much.

“I got us a seat in the back.” He took my hand and laced his fingers with mine.

I should’ve pulled away, but I didn’t. I didn’t know where we were sitting, so I needed him to guide me.

Yes, denial fit me comfortably at the moment.

The restaurant had booths along the walls and several tables scattered throughout. The restaurant was packed, but the seats were spaced out enough that it didn’t feel overcrowded. The tables were covered in sturdy, white tablecloths, and chairs were made of thick dark maple.

A server who had to be another college student took an order. When he finished, he turned, and his green eyes landed back on me.

He put his pen in his white pocket and jerked his head to the side. His brown, shaggy hair curved to the side.

Even though I was around humans, I instinctually took the side of the booth against the wall. I didn’t need someone sneaking up on me. “It looks like a lot of people who work here attend college. Do any go to Kortright?

“No.” Donovan slipped into the other side of the booth across from me. His back was to the rest of the restaurant. “They go to the local community college around here.”

“Oh, shit.” It went against everything inside me, but he was supposed to be watching his coworkers. “You probably should sit here.”

“Nah, it’s okay.” He moved his silverware to the side and smiled. “I’m good here. How’s your day been?”

“Good.” I couldn’t hide my smile. “Aren’t we here for schoolwork?”

“Yep.” He nodded at me right when a guy appeared.

“Well, well, well.” The guy smirked at Donovan. “What do we have here? You get off work and decide to hang around?”

“He’s staying to watch you all like he was asked.” That had to be obvious, but then it hit me.

“Is that what he told you?” The guy tsked. “Donovan, I thought you had more game than that.”

“Shut it, Chad.” Donovan didn’t sound impressed. “I’ll take a Coke.”

“Okay.” He nodded and gazed at me. “And you, gorgeous?”

Donovan’s nostrils flared, and he glared at Chad.

“A Coke sounds good for me too.” My stomach rumbled. “Do you know what you want?”

“Yeah …” Donovan rattled off his order.

And it was my turn. “Okay, I want the largest steak you got, medium-rare, and when we’re close to finishing here, I’ll need five more of them to go.”

The waiter froze. “Are you serious?”

That request sounded crazy now that I thought about it. “Yup. My friends back at campus are chomping at the bit for this.”

“Okay, I’ll go put this in.” He walked off.

“Wow, you love meat, don’t you?” Donovan placed his arms on the table.

There wasn’t a good way to answer that. I needed to say something, but I had no clue what.

“God.” He grimaced. “I wasn’t being a pervert. Did I come off like that?”

It took a second for it to click. “No, but now that you mentioned it …”

His face turned pink. “I honestly meant … like cow meat, not my meat.” He smacked his head on the table, and the plates rattled.

I laughed harder than I ever had in my entire life. Tears pooled at the corners of my eyes.

“So you’re enjoying yourself?” An embarrassed smile crossed his face. “I have to admit it’s nice to see, but I wish it wasn’t to my detriment.”

“I’m sorry.” It was nice to be around someone as socially awkward as me. “But … confession time. Why are we here? Obviously, it isn’t for you to watch your coworkers.”

“Honestly, it was at first. My boss recommended it the other night.” He nibbled on his lip. “But seeing you at the hostess stand, I decided I wanted to be off duty.”