“I miss having my parents close and the friends I grew up with nearby, but I don’t miss this town or my old job. I never wanted to live here forever, so when Scott offered me the job, I jumped on it. Don’t get me wrong—this is a great town, but I want more for myself and any kids we have. There aren’t a lot of opportunities here. Most of the people I grew up with moved away as soon as they had the chance to.”
“It’s a beautiful place to grow up,” I tell him.
“It is,” he agrees. “But so is Mount Pleasant.”
“You’re right, but just so you know, if you wanted to move back here, I would be okay with that. I think I would follow you anywhere.”
“Do not say shit like that,” he growls, and my heart sinks, startled by his demand.
“Wh-what?”
“Do not say shit like that when we’re not alone or near a bed, where I can show you exactly what your words mean to me, baby. I swear to God, every fucking day, you prove to me exactly why life led you right through my window.” A thrill skims down my spine. “Never—fucking never—did I think I would find a woman like you, a woman who makes me so fucking happy I have to question if she’s fucking real. You, Leah, should not exist.”
“Tyler—”
“Seriously, baby, you’re understanding, accepting, and so damn beautiful that I look at you and can’t believe you’re mine.”
“If you don’t stop, I’m going to cry on the sidewalk in the middle of the perfect Hallmark movie town,” I tell him, swallowing down tears.
“Don’t cry, baby. Just know I appreciate what I have, know what it’s worth, and will do everything within my power to keep it.”
Tears I can’t control fill my eyes, and when one falls, he catches it with his thumb, sweeping it away before touching his mouth to mine in a gentle kiss.
“No more tears,” he says, swiping one off my other cheek.
I pull in a shaky breath. “It’s your fault I’m crying.”
“I know.” He takes hold of my face. “But the longer you cry, the longer it’s going to take me to feed you.”
I shake my head. “I’m not normally emotional. I’m just crying because I’m starving.”
“Right.” He grins. “Are you done now?”
“I think so,” I reply, and he kisses my forehead, then wraps his hand around mine and leads me across the sidewalk into the restaurant. The sign in the front says to seat ourselves, so we get a booth in the back and take off our coats; then we both sit on one side of the booth. “What do you recommend?” I ask. I pick up the menu and look it over.
“My favorite burger is called the Boom,” he tells me, and I find that burger on the menu. It’s two patties, cheese, bacon, and an over easy egg on toast.
“I’m not sure I’d enjoy having an egg on my hamburger.”
“You can have a bite of mine,” he assures me as the waitress comes over to take our drink orders. We both order beer, and when she comes back to drop them off, we place our dinner orders. I stick with my all-time favorite: a mushroom, swiss, and mayo, with a side of seasoned fries and ranch dressing to dip them in. Tyler orders his weird egg burger and regular fries.
About fifteen minutes later, she comes back to the table with two red trays overflowing with fries and burgers. “Enjoy, and let me know if you need anything else,” she says.
I say thanks before she walks off, then look up at Tyler.
“Get ready, baby. After you take a bite from that, you’re gonna be ruined,” he warns me, and I pick up my hamburger, which is half-wrapped in white paper, and smile at him before I bring it to my mouth. My teeth sink into the soft bun and juicy meat, and the flavor hits my taste buds, making me groan. “Told you.” He picks up his own burger and takes a bite.
I chew and swallow, then grab a fry and dunk it in ranch before popping it into my mouth. Holy cow, even the fries are better than any I’ve ever eaten, and the ranch is obviously homemade, with what tastes like finely chopped green onion.
“I’m so moving here just for this place,” I tell him as I dunk another fry in ranch.
“We can come back anytime you want.” He leans over, giving me a swift kiss.
“How’s yours?” I eye his burger.
He shakes his head. “Take a bite.”
I do, and even though it’s an odd combination, it’s still really fricking good. After we finish eating, he pays, because apparently I’m not allowed when I’m out with him, and then we get up and leave.
“Wanna go get a beer?” he asks when we hit the sidewalk outside.