have a hold over her. He never used rational thought and none of his decisions had been smart. Maybe it was the thrill of dating a man she swore she could change. Maybe she’d lost her mind.
Then again, why not flirt a little? Smile, talk sweet and maybe she’d earn a bigger tip. Better than nothing. Still, the last time she’d flirted, she ended up with Nicky. This time she’d play it cool and calm. She put the order on the carousel and turned. She’d wait for him to come to her—then she’d pounce.
Chapter Two
Getting transferred to this smallish town sucked. Levi leaned back in the booth and stretched his legs. He’d planned on spending the rest of his time in the service on an active base. Amanda had wanted to leave the noise and bustle of the base for a smaller setting. Being totally in love with her, he agreed and left Cincinnati for Mansfield. All the times they’d argued and all the times she’d made him sleep on the couch came to mind. He’d been the “savior,” helping her with her five-year-old son and putting a roof over their heads. He’d been the guy to step in and help rear the kid when his ADHD got out of hand. He took the kid to the doctor visits. He’d been the dad Tyson never had.
But Amanda hadn’t been happy. Less than six months after the move, she left him. The pay, the benefits weren’t enough. His love certainly wasn’t enough.
Levi snorted. And here he’d thought he’d marry her. What a crock of shit.
The waitress stood at the display case, her dyed blonde hair twisted on top of her head. He’d always had a thing for blondes, but her smile got to him. Should he be looking so soon after a break up? Probably not, but convention in his love life hadn’t served him for shit up to this point. He thought about what he’d said to her. I’ve never been here before. Hope it’s good. Christ. He’d heard better pickup lines from sailors.
When the waitress brought his drink, she plopped down opposite him. “You’re my only table.” She folded her hands. “What brings you to Ontario?”
“The Guard. I work air traffic control over there at the base.” He removed the paper from the straw and dunked the plastic tube into his drink. “I’ve been there for six months, but this is the first time I’ve ventured over to Ontario. I usually work nights and don’t have time to explore.”
“I’m glad you did.” A bell dinged, grabbing her attention. “Your food is ready.” She strolled away from him and he couldn’t help but gaze at her ass. Enough for a man to grab, while still being toned. Did she work out other than what she did at the diner? He could sure use a workout partner.
He choked on his soda. A workout partner. Geez. If she went for any of his unintended lines, he’d be shocked. Amanda just saw the suit. She’d wanted a flyboy. What did this woman want?
The waitress returned with his food and the scent of hot chips wafted around him. His stomach growled and his mouth watered. When she placed the plate in front of him, he damned near drooled. The sandwich was huge and when he glanced over, he got a perfect view of her jean-clad crotch. He shouldn’t be looking at her like she was the sandwich, shouldn’t be ogling her and wondering what her skin felt like. Maybe he’d been lonely for too long.
“My name is Maya.” She sat down opposite him again. “I’ve been in this town all my life. My former high school is about three miles north of here, and my grandparents are buried south of town in the main cemetery. It’s not thrilling here by a long shot.” She averted her gaze. “I shouldn’t have told you all that. I’m sure you didn’t want to know.”
“I like it.” He picked up the sandwich. “Other than the guys I work with, I don’t have too many people around here I know. I’m honored to make your acquaintance.”
She dipped her head, but he could’ve sworn she blushed first.
“Maya, I’m Levi, like the jeans.” He
Then again, why not flirt a little? Smile, talk sweet and maybe she’d earn a bigger tip. Better than nothing. Still, the last time she’d flirted, she ended up with Nicky. This time she’d play it cool and calm. She put the order on the carousel and turned. She’d wait for him to come to her—then she’d pounce.
Chapter Two
Getting transferred to this smallish town sucked. Levi leaned back in the booth and stretched his legs. He’d planned on spending the rest of his time in the service on an active base. Amanda had wanted to leave the noise and bustle of the base for a smaller setting. Being totally in love with her, he agreed and left Cincinnati for Mansfield. All the times they’d argued and all the times she’d made him sleep on the couch came to mind. He’d been the “savior,” helping her with her five-year-old son and putting a roof over their heads. He’d been the guy to step in and help rear the kid when his ADHD got out of hand. He took the kid to the doctor visits. He’d been the dad Tyson never had.
But Amanda hadn’t been happy. Less than six months after the move, she left him. The pay, the benefits weren’t enough. His love certainly wasn’t enough.
Levi snorted. And here he’d thought he’d marry her. What a crock of shit.
The waitress stood at the display case, her dyed blonde hair twisted on top of her head. He’d always had a thing for blondes, but her smile got to him. Should he be looking so soon after a break up? Probably not, but convention in his love life hadn’t served him for shit up to this point. He thought about what he’d said to her. I’ve never been here before. Hope it’s good. Christ. He’d heard better pickup lines from sailors.
When the waitress brought his drink, she plopped down opposite him. “You’re my only table.” She folded her hands. “What brings you to Ontario?”
“The Guard. I work air traffic control over there at the base.” He removed the paper from the straw and dunked the plastic tube into his drink. “I’ve been there for six months, but this is the first time I’ve ventured over to Ontario. I usually work nights and don’t have time to explore.”
“I’m glad you did.” A bell dinged, grabbing her attention. “Your food is ready.” She strolled away from him and he couldn’t help but gaze at her ass. Enough for a man to grab, while still being toned. Did she work out other than what she did at the diner? He could sure use a workout partner.
He choked on his soda. A workout partner. Geez. If she went for any of his unintended lines, he’d be shocked. Amanda just saw the suit. She’d wanted a flyboy. What did this woman want?
The waitress returned with his food and the scent of hot chips wafted around him. His stomach growled and his mouth watered. When she placed the plate in front of him, he damned near drooled. The sandwich was huge and when he glanced over, he got a perfect view of her jean-clad crotch. He shouldn’t be looking at her like she was the sandwich, shouldn’t be ogling her and wondering what her skin felt like. Maybe he’d been lonely for too long.
“My name is Maya.” She sat down opposite him again. “I’ve been in this town all my life. My former high school is about three miles north of here, and my grandparents are buried south of town in the main cemetery. It’s not thrilling here by a long shot.” She averted her gaze. “I shouldn’t have told you all that. I’m sure you didn’t want to know.”
“I like it.” He picked up the sandwich. “Other than the guys I work with, I don’t have too many people around here I know. I’m honored to make your acquaintance.”
She dipped her head, but he could’ve sworn she blushed first.
“Maya, I’m Levi, like the jeans.” He
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