Chapter 5

They found themselves in a generous open lobby space where the street entrance and the breezeway
entrance met. Wall seating and ottomans were placed throughout the lobby for waiting customers, and
there were a lot of them waiting.

Spring let her hand slip from Dez's hold and slowed her pace. Estimating that they would have to wait
at least twenty minutes, she focused on an empty space that would fit them both while Dez headed for
the host. Spring made her way to the space as she mentally hummed the soothing music that was low
enough to be considered white noise but was loud enough, she knew what was playing. Just when she
turned to sit, she looked up and saw that Dez was waving her over.

(Okay.) She made her way back to his side.

"Would you rather a table or a booth?"

"Either or," Spring said with a shrug. She moved to walk back to the seat in the waiting area before it
was taken, but Dez gently took hold of her arm, so Spring turned back. A grin was spread across his
beautiful face as he motioned for her to come with him.

Spring followed but looked over her shoulder at the people waiting. Most hadn't even noticed that they
were being seated but a few seemed irritated with the development. Spring scrunched her nose up.
She didn't feel good about being seated before those who were waiting. She turned her head back
around to say so and paused just in time to avoid a clash with a server holding a mountain of food.

"Careful," the server said as he gracefully moved aside.

"Sorry," Spring whispered as her cheeks flamed.

"No need to apologize," the waiter said with a grin. He held her gaze as he backed away, winking at her
before he turned around and continued on.



Spring fingered a stray braid behind her ear as she lowered her eyes, feeling the heat that was
spreading over her face. She would never get used to all the attention she got here in the city. At home,
just about everyone knew her so there was very little fuss. Here in the big city, she was approached
often and propositioned more than she liked to admit.

"Second thoughts?"

Spring swung her gaze over to Dez who was standing near a two-seat table. The worry in his eyes had
her frowning. "Uh," she said as she walked over to the table, "I just almost collided with someone
and...but no second thoughts."

Dez pulled out her chair and Spring sat. "Good," he said as he sat across from her.

She smiled, finding it came easy and it was genuine. Most of the time she had to force a smile for the
people she surrounded herself with, but strangely not with him.

Spring opened the menu and glanced over the options. She was relieved that the menu wasn't as long
as a novel. There were just enough choices and descriptions to entice you and not drive you mad. She
mentally made her choice then sat the menu down only to find that Dez was watching her.

(Did he even look at the menu?) "Do you come here often?"

Dez leaned forward and pursed his lips as if he planned to respond but the waitress appeared. She
was a tall middle-aged woman with tired eyes but a wide smile...for Dez.

"Hey there handsome," the waitress said to him. "I haven't seen you in here in a while."

Dez stood and hugged the waitress, answering Spring's question. He was obviously a regular who has
been missing in action for a time.



"Oh, and who's this beauty?"

"Myra," Dez started as he eyed Spring, "this is Anna. She's taking pity on me and joining me for dinner
tonight."

Though Myra looked tired, Spring felt her hawkish gaze appraising her from top to bottom. After a
moment of silence, Myra leaned over and gave Spring an unexpected shoulder hug. "Well, thank you
for taking pity on our Dezie," Myra said then straightened. "So, what can I bring you, sweetie?"

Spring ordered a glass of water, the Salmon with bourbon glaze, and a side salad; while Dez ordered
his usual, whatever that was.

"I'll be right back with your drinks," Myra sang. She shook her head and smiled as she walked away.

"So, you have a usual?"

Dez chuckled. "I know the owners pretty well."

"Oh, and who's this beauty?"

"Myra," Dez started as he eyed Spring, "this is Anna. She's taking pity on me and joining me for dinner
tonight."

Though Myra looked tired, Spring felt her hawkish gaze appraising her from top to bottom. After a
moment of silence, Myra leaned over and gave Spring an unexpected shoulder hug. "Well, thank you
for taking pity on our Dezie," Myra said then straightened. "So, what can | bring you, sweetie?"

Spring ordered a glass of water, the Salmon with bourbon glaze, and a side salad; while Dez ordered
his usual, whatever that was.

"I'll be right back with your drinks," Myra sang. She shook her head and smiled as she walked away.
"SO, you have a usual?"

Dez chuckled. "I Know the owners pretty well."



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