Page 71 of Reins

After two hours of waiting, she’s sitting in the passenger seat staring at her new card. “My face is still puffy.”

I reach over to pat her arm. “Beautiful though.” I give her an exaggerated wink. “I promise you’re the only one who notices.”

She sighs as she tucks her ID into her purse. “I appreciate you doing this.”

“Wouldn’t trade it for the world,” I grunt. “Best distraction I could ever hope for from the shit at Black Gulch.”

Her fingers pick at the hem of her new jeans. “You really wouldn’t rather be there? You can explain to your brother what happened.”

“When I have something to show him, I will.” I walk with her inside the restaurant, the smell of fresh baked bread and oregano nearly overwhelming me.

The girl at the kiosk weaves us between several rows of tables before depositing us in a booth near the back.

I want to crack a joke to Rosalyn about this being a date except I don’t want her to feel uncomfortable.

She’s just getting used to actually touching someone, I don’t ever want her to feel like she’s being pushed into something more.

As she flips through the menu, that lower lip gets rolled between her teeth so often I’m afraid she’s going to chew it off.

“Ros? Know what you want?” I’m not even looking at the pages, I’m too transfixed by her pink cheeks and that damn mouth.

“It’s all too expensive,” she whispers. “I don’t know what to get.”

“Whatever you want. If it’s too much they have to-go boxes.” I prop my chin on my palm, leaning closer.

“Those are spicy if you like that. Those come with a thick broth that I always used extra bread for.” My finger points to random spots in the page. “I may have been here a few times.” This used to be one of my go-to eats whenever I came this way.

“You said the gyro? I’ve never had one but they sound good.” She squints, leaning closer. “And it’s one of the cheaper things.”

This explains why all she wanted was the cheeseburger yesterday from the kid’s meals.

“Hi. Can I get some drinks started for you?” Our waitress appears, bubbly and bright next to the table.

Then I see her smile falter when I turn, her eyes drifting down over the scars on my face.

Fuck. Ros has made me forget they exist.

It’s a shock back to reality.

Dropping my chin to shadow my cheek under my hat, I clear my throat. “Ros?”

She furrows her light colored brows, glancing between me and the waitress. “Um, I’ll have a water, please?”

“And for you, sir?” The girl keeps her gaze avert, focusing instead on the divider towards the rest of the room.

“Same,” I grunt without looking up.

She rushes away, tucking her notepad in her apron.

“What was that about?” Ros leans with a hushed whisper.

I shrug, trying to wave it off. “I’m used to it. I wasn’t much to look at to start.” I give her my best lopsided grin.

Her nose wrinkles. “Thought you weren’t gonna lie to me?” The blue in her irises nearly disappear in the dim light, but I can still catch the mischief glittering in them.

There she is. The tease of the real her. The part that lures me and makes my jeans grow tight. “You’re the only person who thinks that.”

She purses her lips, staring at my face as if she’s appraising a painting. “I like how you look.” Pink rises up her throat. “It makes me feel safe. You look like you could fight a bear and win.” She reaches out, covering my knuckles with her warm fingers. “Everytime I see you I know I’m protected.”