"Spanish class," he said.
"Yes," was my super awesome response.
"Freshman."
"Yep."
Love match for sure. Nothing says romantic connection like grunting out a conversation.
"Do you know what you'd like?" I asked again.
"Yeah," he said, still staring at me like I was up to no good and he didn't dare look away. "The Slam-burger with seasoned fries. I'll want dessert so don't bring the check yet."
"How do you want your egg?"
"Medium," he said and then gestured behind me. "That girl is hating on you."
Turning, I saw Piper glaring at me. She twisted her lips and cracked her neck like she might throw a punch.
"That's my table," she muttered.
"You were on break, and he wanted to sit here."
"Fine, well, I'm back."
Unsure if Piper wanted to look at Hot Guy or knew he was a good tipper, I stepped back when she grabbed my pad and glanced over the order.
"Medium?" she clarified, giving him a big, pretty smile.
"Nope. I'm keeping this one," Hot Guy said, pointing to me. "We have Spanish together. Don't we, baby?"
"Yes, but … "
"No, but," he said, losing the hint of a smile. "If you want, I can talk to the manager and see if he gives a shit what this one here thinks?"
Piper and I stared at Hot Guy and then she handed me the notepad and walked away.
"I'll put this in for you."
"I don't get a thank you?"
Nodding, I forced a smile. "Thank you."
"Ah, that's right. You don't know how well I tip hot girls from my Spanish class. Once you do, your thank you will sound more sincere."
"Sorry."
A smile lit up his face. "You look like you're gonna cry."
"You're being scary. I assumed you wanted me to cry."
Smile widening, he leaned back in the booth. "Please, don't go crying on my account."
"Let me put this in for you."
Hot Guy nodded and I felt him watching me until I disappeared into the kitchen. The urge to sneak into the restroom and fix up my appearance was unbelievably strong. Then I reminded myself how I shouldn't flirt with tattoo boy. Even if I wanted to hook up with a guy who wouldn't acknowledge me as soon as he was finished, Hot Guy had already seen me look-ing like crap. No need to clean myself up and give away how I'd nicknamed him Hot Guy.
In the kitchen, Piper walked over and whispered, "Guys like him hit their girlfriends. Good luck with that."
Taking the food and a refill, I walked towards his table and noticed him typing. With his tight shirt riding up over his muscles, I could see what looked like an eagle tattoo on one arm and maybe an angel on the other. When I reached two tables away, his gaze locked onto me like a laser, heating my skin.
"I hope the egg is okay."
Grinning, he lifted the bun and then shrugged. "I have a cousin named Farah," he said, and I gave him a tight smile. "She's a bitch."
My smile turned weird. While I couldn't see it, I sensed the smile had gone wrong because he was creeping me out.
"I'll be back to check on you in a few minutes."
"Don't you want to know my name?" he asked, grabbing the ketchup bottle without taking his eyes off of me.
"Sure. What's your name?"
"You don't sound genuinely interested."
"I'm not begging if that's what you're waiting for."
Throwing his head back, he let out a deep rolling laugh before focusing his dark gaze on me again.
"I wouldn't mind seeing you beg," he said and then added when I frowned, "Cooper."
"Anyone ever call you Coop the Poop or Poopy Coopy?" I asked, messing with him because his iron stare made me nervous.
"No," he muttered.
"Not to your face anyway."
A smile lifted the corner of his mouth, and his gaze softened. "No, not to my face."
"I guess there are benefits to being scary."
Cooper gave me a half-smile, but his eyes watched me in a weird way now. Like he was memorizing me for possible later dissection. Or maybe he just wanted to fuck me. Whatever his reasons, he was creeping me out again.
"I'll be back."
For the next twenty minutes, I checked on Cooper a few times, cleaned tables, and filled salt shakers. No matter where I went in the restaurant, I felt Cooper watching me. I told myself I was crazy, but then I'd glance over to find him watching me. Not even casually either. Leaning back in his booth, he ignored the laptop and his few remaining fries.
"Are you ready for dessert?" I finally asked.
"Where are you from?"
"I moved around a lot growing up."
"Family in the military?"
"No."
"Why New Hampton?"
"I'm a big fan of pork. Are you ready for dessert?"
Cooper smiled softly, but his gaze was dark. "Did you bring a boyfriend with you to town?"
"No," I said, stepping back. "I'm focused on school."
Nodding, Cooper gave me a little grin. "Message received," he muttered, taking the dessert menu and glancing at it. "For now anyway."
"I can come back."
"Nope. Bring me the brownie. Extra whip cream."
"I don't think that comes with whip cream."
"It does now. Extra whip cream in fact."
Walking to the kitchen, I prepared the brownie. Flirting with Cooper was a mistake. Based on his laptop and the big black Harley sitting in the parking lot, he had money. Based on his looks, he was tripping over girls. Based on the way he teased me, I was on his radar as a possible hookup. I'd already messed up. Yet if I became cold, he might make things rough for me at work. I wasn't sure why, but I sensed he really would talk to the manager about a girl who pissed him off. I didn't want to be that girl.
"Here you go. Extra whipped cream."
Cooper shut off his laptop and closed it. "Do you do your schoolwork before your shift?"
"I'll get to it after I finish here."
Frowning, he glanced around. "You work every night?"
"Not weekends and most Fridays. The girls with seniority get those shifts." When his frown darkened, I continued, "Better tips."
Nodding, Cooper took his spoon and cut open the brownie. "You going to any parties this weekend?"
"Doubtful. I have schoolwork, and I haven't finished unpacking."
"Where do you live?" he asked, mixing up the brownie and ice cream.
"With my mom."
Cooper glanced up from his food and squinted like I was messing with him. "Your mom moved here with you?"
"No, she lived here. It's why I came to New Hampton. Well, that and the pork thing."
"Yeah, the pork thing," he murmured, grinning. "You didn't live with your mom before?"
"No," I said quietly, hoping my tone shut him up.
"Why not?"
Sighing, I realized Cooper was either tone deaf or didn't care. I sensed it was the latter.
"My parents split up, and I went with my dad."
"Is your mom fucked up or something?"
Stepping back, I frowned at him. "I should let you eat."
Cooper looked up from his brownie. "Don't be like that. I'm just curious. Most times when parents split up, the kids go with the mom. You didn't so I figured your mom must be messed up."
"No offense, but that's personal and I don't know you."
"Do you want to know me?" he asked, his gaze too direct. "I can tell you whatever you want to know. Not here at work with your boss and that bitch watching, but this weekend I could show you around."
"That's nice, but I plan to stay in this weekend."
"Uh-huh," he said, twisting his lips in a grumpy way. "You can check on ketchup bottles if you want, Farah. I'll eat my food silently and give you a break."
Standing awkwardly, I knew he was angry, and I wasn't sure how to handle it. When he ignored me, I walked away. Though I considered checking the ketchup bottles, I stopped myself. Around nine, a drunk guy showed up and had me and Piper stand next to each other before choosing the waitress he wanted. Luckily for me, he picked Piper.
"Close one," Cooper said, standing up as I came for his plate.
"Tell me about it."
At six four, Cooper stood a solid foot over me, strong and intimidating. When I noticed a hint of whip cream on his chin, I wiped it away without thinking. His gaze locked onto mine and I could feel him breathing faster.
Cooper looked so dark, yet appealing as he stared down at me. I could imagine riding on the back of his motorcycle, my arms wrapped around his hard stomach, the air rushing through my hair as we had fun somewhere. Yes, I could imagine having fun with him and then walking away as he sexed up the next girl. College was about easy, sexy fun and Cooper had easy, sexy fun written all over his beautiful face.
"Sorry if I seemed cranky earlier," I said, aiming for casual. "Moving here has been stressful, but maybe when things settle, you might still want to show me around."
Cooper studied my face and then ran his thumb across my bottom lip as if ridding me of a smudge of some-thing. I wiped my mouth quickly.
"Did I have something on my face?" I asked, thinking I was such a dork to walk around with crap on me. Yeah, mirrors existed for a reason, dummy.