Death of a Waterfall (The Hayden Falls Saga) by Kara Leigh Miller Page B

and matching chairs with red cushions occupied the dining room. Donnie sat at a two person table in the corner. The table had a candle in the center; a fat, white pillar supported by a metal holder. The flame flickered across Donnie's handsome face, making his eyes sparkle. He looked dangerously sexy.
    "I was starting to think you weren't going to show up," he said, standing, and pulling out a chair for her.
    "Why wouldn't I?" She laughed.
    "I just figured you'd change your mind."
    Teghan took the chair and smiled as she sat. "Did you have any trouble getting past Alex?"
    "No. He was going to check out a frat with a guy from our dorm." Donnie kissed her on the cheek before taking his seat across from her.
    "Good." Teghan's heart tripped a beat or two then relaxed. Oh, his lips were so soft. "This place is beautiful," she said, looking around.
    "I ordered an appetizer," Donnie said. "Some type of vegetable dip. I hope that's okay."
    "Yes, but I'm really not that hungry."
    "You said that last time we were at a restaurant too. What gives?" Donnie asked.
    "I have this phobia about eating in front of people I don't know." She felt so stupid telling him that.
    Donnie cocked his head and raised a brow. "That's interesting."
    "It's frustrating, and embarrassing." She felt her face get warm.
    "Have you always had this phobia?"
    "No." Teghan propped her elbows on the table and dropped her chin into her hands. "I'm left handed. So when I eat, it sometimes looks like I'm shoveling food into my mouth. At least it did when I was younger. Anyway, a boy in my fourth grade class used to make pig noises and call me 'thunder thighs' during lunch. Ever since, I've been shy about eating in front of people I don't know." I can't believe I just told him that.
    He reached across the table and took her hands into his. "If I promise not to watch, will you eat?"
    Teghan laughed. He had such a way of putting her at ease. "I'll settle for you not making pig noises."
    "Deal." He flashed her a smile.
    Their appetizer arrived a few moments later. Teghan ordered a soda and sipped at it slowly. She'd take a small bite of her cracker, dipped in vegetable dip, and cover her mouth with her hand while she chewed. "This is really good," Teghan said, taking another bite.
    "Are you ready to order?" the waitress asked as she refilled their drinks.
    "Go ahead," Donnie said, nodding his head at Teghan.
    "You know, I think I'm okay with just this." She motioned toward the half eaten appetizer between them.
    "I guess we're all set. Thanks," Donnie said to the waitress.
    "You could've ordered," she said.
    "I'm fine," he said. "I was thinking we could go to a movie or something if you want."
    "Actually, I had something different in mind."
    "Oh yeah?" Donnie raised a brow. "Like what?"
    Teghan laughed. "Get your mind out of the gutter."
    Donnie laughed. "I'm a guy." He shrugged unapologetically.
    "I believe there's a mall a few minutes from here. We need to stop there first." Teghan smiled.
    "What for?"
    She leaned across the table and lowered her voice. "We can't go dressed like we are. This place I'm taking you to, it has a very strict dress code." She felt bad she was going to make Donnie change. He looked good in those khaki pants and long sleeved button-up shirt pulled taut across his chest, the top two buttons left undone, exposing his skin. She wondered why he hadn't worn a tie. It was almost expected in a place like this.
    Donnie stood and held out his hand to her. "Let's go, then."
    "Aren't we going to finish eating first?"
    He sat. "Right. Sorry."
    Teghan laughed. If she had tried to pull this with Alex, he would've refused and demanded to know where she wanted to go. It was thrilling to know that Donnie was open to things, and that he trusted her enough to do as she asked.
    ~ * ~
    Donnie made a face as Teghan led him into Libbey's Western Wear. Teghan walked around, grabbing clothes from racks and tables. She handed him a pile and pushed him into the dressing