Never Been Kissed(30)

“What are you going to have?” I ask, perusing the menu, not seeing the writing. I’m not sure why Hunter wants to have breakfast with me. There’s gratefulness, then there’s obligation in spite of it all. I just need to remember the difference.

“Eggs and steak. I need the protein.” Hunter says gruffly, like I’ve forced him to tell me a secret.

“Makes sense,” I say, putting my menu down. “If you stay as this-Hunter, I might give you a slice of my French toast. Only if you’re nice, though. One asshole comment and I’m eating all of it myself.” I’m threatening the Beast and I’m giddy with my tiny sense of power.

One eyebrow goes up. Even that’s sexy. “This is how you treat all your dates, by keeping ‘em on a short leash?”

What?

I look around the diner, wondering if my family put him up to this to ridicule me. Okay, I must’ve not heard correctly. He didn’t say date. This isn’t a date! I reach for my glass of water and gulp down the icy goodness.

“This isn’t a date. Who the frak said anything about a date?” I chew on my inner cheek, my stomach turning into that roller coaster.“I’m hungry, you’re hungry. We’re mutually hungry together and so we’re sharing a meal.” Where’s my family? Hiding in the hall? I crane my neck left and right, but don’t see anyone from the Delos clan.

I swallow down the anger, the hurt, and try to concentrate. The way my heart beats hard in my chest though, has me feeling like I’ve raced the Flash and won.

“Sera, I’m going to be straight with you.” Hunter’s big body is draped along the back of the booth opposite me. He’s relaxed, and it looks like he got a good sleep last night after we watched Transformers 3 together since the dark under his eyes has faded. He looks...strong, capable, not like he was fading away only yesterday. Not like he couldn’t stand to eat last night. I’ve seen him weak and helpless twice now, but when he’s at a hundred percent, he’s at a hundred percent.

I’m afraid he’s going to tell me I have cancer, his tone is doctor-serious.

“I want to take you out to dinner.”

“Dinner?” The word comes out on an exhaled breath. Is this a joke? It’s a joke right? Bloody hell, I’ve had dinner with Josh before, and we’re buddies. This doesn’t mean anything.

He nods, a shallow dip of his chin. “Dinner. You and me. Together. Wherever you want to go.” His eyes do that looking through me thing again, and I’m ninety percent sure he knows what just went on in my head. He’s Charles Xavier!

I shake my head. This is not computing. And I say those words. “Like on a date?”

“Yeah. A date.” Hunter smiles, and praise J.K. Rowling, he has dimples. Oh my God!

I thread my fingers together, making myself hold on. I clear my throat and push my glasses up my nose. “Do you want me to babysit Matty, is that it? You don’t have to date me for that, Hunt.”

“I like that.” Confused, I just continue to stare. “Your nickname for me.” He keeps looking at me, and I don’t think he likes what he sees. Well, what else is new? Hunter leans forward, forearms hitting the edge of the table. “I’m not messing around. I want to take you out, show you I’m more.”

Frowning, I ask, “More than what?”

“More than what you saw last night. More than what you left at the hospital,” Hunter says, and my heart hurts for a few beats.

I tilt my head to the side, and try for the right words. “I already know that. There’s no need to for us to go to dinner.” Got it. Saving face. That’s all this is.

Hunter scowls at me. “Are you saying no to me?”

“I’m saying no.” I say, nodding. I want to tell him I’m doing him a favour. That he doesn’t want to date a person like me, that him saying ‘thank you’ is enough, I don’t need dinner.

“Can I ask why?” He’s a little off-kilter now, unsure. I may be the only female in the city who’s said no to him. I don’t know if I’m brilliant or dumber than dumb.

“You don’t need another girl in your life right now.” Pulled that one out of my ass, thank you very much. I just so happened to recall those awful words his mom hurled at me that day in the hospital. I’d be just one of many.

“Says who?” Angry, he’s getting angry.

“Hunt, listen to me. I won’t go out with you. Will I help you out with Matty, yeah, sure. That leaves you to screw around with anyone you want.” I’m trying to be selfless, to think of the kid.