Chapter 30 Bill
thirty
Bill
We slip into Ruth’s closed-for-the-night diner like we’re secret agents on a covert mission. Truth be told, the place is always cozy, and it’s starting to feel like a home away from home. Tonight, it gets huge bonus points because it’s after hours and completely void of people.
She waltzes in first, saying softly, “I’m not turning on all the lights.
” Her voice is playful, but I can hear the underlying hesitation.
“And we can’t sit by a window, or someone who drives by might notice and be alarmed and call the cops.
A police officer showing up here is the last thing I need. ”
“Got it. We break our ankles as we try to navigate where we can sit that doesn’t make a shadow,” I say, trying to keep the ridiculousness of us sneaking around like teenagers to a minimum.
With one hand perched on her hip, she scans the clean countertops, and sighs. “So I could make coffee, but I already cleaned it for the night, and I hate to do it again. How about sodas from the fountain, and for snacks, I have secret bags of popcorn below the counter.”
“Seriously, I can’t even think about food after tonight,” I say, my voice playful, because suddenly I’m thinking about how close she is. “Just kisses.”
Laughter slips from her lips. It is such a gorgeous sound my chest aches.
She tilts her head, eyes bright. “Just kisses? Well, you’re in luck.
Those are hard to come by at Ruth’s Diner, because you’ve met her, and you know, she’s short of a workaholic, but recently she’s been learning to let her hair down, and she has a few of those on a very secret menu that only one special customer gets to order from. ”
“A secret menu? That sounds amazing,” I tease, leaning a little closer. “I would like that menu, please.”
Sliding my hand on her hip, I brush my lips against hers. She lets out the tiniest sigh as her fingers graze my arm.
There’s no mistaking it anymore. I’m falling head over heels for this woman. I was heartsick all night long while I stared at her from across the ice. Now, she’s in my arms, and I feel alive again. I want to tell her so badly all the feelings I’m growing for her, but the words tangle in my throat.
From the way she kisses me, I don’t doubt she has feelings for me too. It’s always pure magnetism when we are together, and every nerve in me ignites.
Until the overhead fluorescent lights snap on!
Without warning, harsh lights shine on us like a police spotlight. We instantly jerk apart, blinking against the brightness.
And yes, frozen in the doorway, is Noah and three of my players, all wearing their Granite Ice jackets. Their eyes rocket wide open. My heart skips, then races as I cling to Ruth’s expression. Her eyes bug out from her head as her jaw flops open.
It’s clearly out in the open now.