“Hey.” I walked over and placed my basket on the counter. “Sorry it took me so long.”
“You were fine.” Billy motioned his hand toward my full basket. “Did you find everything you needed?”
“Umm, yeah. I hope I didn’t go overboard.”
“Not even close.”
The cashier started ringing everything up, and once she was done, we carried it all out to his bike. I was worried we wouldn’t be able to get it all in his saddlebags, but after a little finagling, Billy looked up at me with a proud expression and said, “That should do it.”
“I’m impressed that you were able to make all that fit.”
“I’ve had a lot of practice.” He motioned his hand over to the diner across the street. “You up for a bite to eat?”
“Yeah, that’d be great.”
He nodded, then led me over to the diner. There were only a few tables and all were empty, so we basically had the place to ourselves. I followed Billy over to a spot near the window, and we’d barely sat down when a cute red-head with a great figure and pretty green eyes came over to us. A bright smile swept across her attractive face as she said, “Hey, Billy. It’s good to see you.”
“Hey, Jasmine. You look well.”
“I’m making it alright.” She glanced over at me as she asked, “Who’s your friend?”
“This is umm... Leigh. She’s a friend visiting from out of town.”
“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Leigh. What can I get you two today?”
Billy glanced up at the menu board, then answered, “How about a couple of cheeseburgers?”
“Sure thing. What about drinks?”
“Sweet tea for me,” I replied. “With lemon, if you have it.”
“I’ll have the same.”
“You got it.”
Jasmine turned and disappeared into the kitchen. Moments later, she returned with our drinks, only to disappear once again. I took a quick look around at all the adorable, vintage country décor, then asked, “Do you come here often?”
“From time to time. Mainly when I’m passing through or need to come for supplies.” His eyes skirted around the room as he whispered, “It doesn’t look like much, but the food is great.”
“I can’t wait to try it.” I took a sip of my sweet tea, then asked, “So, how many of your girlfriends have you brought here?”
Billy’s eyes widened with surprise, making me immediately regret asking such an invasive question. I wanted desperately to take the question back, but the words were already out there. He inhaled a quick breath, then let it out slowly before answering, “None.”
“Really? Not a single one?”
“There have been no girlfriends, Everleigh. Not a single one.”
“Oh, I didn’t realize.” I hated that I’d made things awkward, so I attempted to make things better by saying, “If it makes you feel any better, I’m in the same boat. There hasn’t been anyone since Bobby, and that seems like a lifetime ago.”
“What about Antonio? Did he…”
Relief washed over his handsome face when I said, “No, nothing ever happened between us. I don’t know what I would’ve done if he’d tried, but thankfully, he was too focused on the money I was making him to pursue me physically.”
“Thank God.”
“Speaking of the whole making him money thing, I should probably tell you something.”
“Oh?”