Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Jeremiah
N ow’s not the time to admit the reason Hazel’s never bumped into me at The Yellow Door is because I always order my food to-go. Or that I do my best not to order when I know she’ll be there. Even I know there’s no way to confess that without offending her.
“Ah, Jeremiah! It’s so good to see you dining in tonight!
It’s been too long since I’ve had my friend, who likes Getsunova almost as much as I do, come in.
At last, an excuse to change the radio station during dinner hours!
” A few years ago, Arthit, the owner’s son, and I discovered we both enjoy the laidback vibe of the same Thai band, Getsunova.
I saw them live when I spent a semester abroad in New Zealand and Australia during college.
When Arthit caught me wearing one of their tour shirts at the gym we both frequent, we formed an instant bond.
“Wow, you really must come here a lot,” Hazel marvels.
“Comes but never stays, maybe,” Arthit grumbles, and I can feel the tops of my ears turning red.
“Well, tonight, he’s staying. We both are. It’s our first date!” she chirps. Now, I know my ears and my cheeks are flushed tomato red.
When I came up with this hairbrained idea, I hadn’t thought through my physical response when I heard her claim me as hers. It’s been nearly fifteen years since I got a hard on in public. Now, I’m going to be banned from my favorite restaurant if this keeps up.
“You…and…Jeremiah?” Arthit doesn’t even try to hide his surprise.
“Yep! Jeremiah helped me out of a jam, and what can I say? We clicked.” She’s practicing her sales pitch, that’s all. Not that my body agrees. Her nearness and open flirting may be for onlookers only, but my libido buys it hook, line, and sinker.
“Let’s get some dinner ordered and see how well our food preferences click.
” I put my hand to the small of her back to lead her toward a table off to the side near the back.
The way her spine dips in before flaring into a deliciously thick ass is enough to muddle my thoughts all over again.
If we don’t get seated quickly, I’ll definitely wind up banned from the place.
Maybe, even arrested for public indecency.
Even with all the blood in my body deserting my brain to pool in my dick, I remember to direct us to a quiet area of the restaurant.
She and the other faculty usually sit at the big tables in the center of the room.
If I really cared about convincing our peers she’s dating me because I’m a nice guy, I’d want a table close to all the action.
Hopefully, Hazel doesn’t realize I’m doing pretty much the opposite since I want her all to myself.
Time passes easily across the table from my dream girl, but then, I’d expected it would. I’m still not ready to leave when the leftovers are packed up and the last bit of dessert has been devoured.
“I can’t believe you’ve never tried any of the sweets on the menu.
The kluay kae are perfect for you. Banana fritters with coconut in the crispy batter?
That’s absolutely a Hazel combination.” It might be creepy letting her know how much I’ve noticed about her, but I want her to understand how incorrect her perception of my dislike was.
“You know so much about me. I feel bad that I know so little about you. I guess I need to get caught up. Twenty Questions?” The twinkle in her eyes says she’s not upset by how much I’ve obviously observed her.
Hazel may not realize it yet, but there’s not much I won’t agree to as long as she’s the one asking. Even if it means revealing my most embarrassing secrets or letting her see how hopelessly enthralled by her I’ve become.