Mending by J. B. McGee Page A

sure what she wanted and he really liked ordering for her.
    He glanced to the wait ress and back to Gabby nodding.  “Do you know what you want?”
    She shook her head in affirmation back at him. “I get the same thing every time I come here.”
    Bradley looked back up to the waitress. “Then we’re ready.”
    Bradley ordered The Western BBQ and Bacon Cheeseburger and a Turtle Caramel Nut milkshake.   Gabby shook her head smiling as she looked on at him ordering.   He could see it out of the corner of his eyes.  Bradley glanced over and gave her a puzzled smile.  He would have to ask her what was so funny about his order when the waitress walked away.   
    When it was Gabby’s turn to order, her cheeks were red and she inhaled sharply.  “I’ ll have the same, but no milkshake, please .”
    The waitress rattled the order back off to them both and walked away.
    Surprised, Bradley’s beautiful blue eyes were a little large.  “Do you always get that , or was what I ordered just too mouthwatering delicious to resist?” H e asked her. 
    She bit her bottom lip. “No.  That’s the best burger I’ve ever had.  I always get that here.”
    He nodded liking his lips and then mirroring her lip biting gesture, he playfully narrowed his eyes. “I see.  Another thing we have in common, Miss Gerhart .”
    She shrugged her shoulder. “What can I say?”
    “Why didn’t you order a milkshake?”
    “Do you know how much I would have to run to burn those calories?”
    “I do.  What do you say we share mine?”
    She blushed and shifted in her seat. “If you insist.”
    “I insist.” He gave her a flirty smile .  
    It was nice to see he was still having an effect on her.  He w ondered if she had any clue the kind of effect she was having on him.
    She suddenly looked worried.  He tilted his head and asked, “What’s wrong, Gabby?”
    Gabby fidgeted with her fingers in her lap.  She gla nced up to him. “I…” She paused, “Nothing.”
    “No, tell me ,” h e pleaded.
    “I need to know why you never d id the whole relationship thing.   Why such the playboy?” She whispered.
    He shrugged and dropp ed his head, then looked back up to her.  “Well, my dad always taught me to enjoy the ladies.  My parents have a bit of a dysfunctional relationship, Gabby.  I just have never wanted that.” 
    “ And I just magically changed your mind about this ?”
    He ran h is hands through his hair. “Yes.   Most girls are quick to g ive themselves to me.  You are different.  You forced me to take a serious look at my lifestyle and the women I associate with. ”
    “ I just find it hard to believe you could change so quickly .”
    “I can’t explain it, Gabby.  Trust me.  I never thought I would be this guy.” He shrugged his shoulders again, vulnerable. “But, here I am.”
    The waitress brought the milkshake and placed it in front of Bradley .  He was pleasantly surprised there were already two straws in it.  How intuitive of her , he thought.   He was t hankful for the interruption, as well .  He desperately wanted to change the mood and the topic of conversation.
    He pushed it to the center and gave her a daring look.  Holding the straw to his mouth, his lips parted and he sucked his first sip, closing his eyes savoring the flavor.  “ Mmm ,” he groaned.
    “Chocolate and caramel are a weakness for me as it is. ” She squirmed.  “ Add you moaning over there while drinking it, now that’s a lethal combination.” She giggled.
    He didn’t move his he ad from the milkshake, but glanced up at her.  His eyes were on fire with desire and his lips formed a smile around the straw, “Lethal, huh?”
    “Yeah, it just solidified what I had been pondering for the last couple of days.”
    He looked confused. Given what they had just discussed that could most definitely be a bad thing.   His brows furrowed .  “What’s that?”
    She glanced down nervously.  W hen she looked back up to him ,