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I stand and wave my hand toward the seat I’ve just vacated. “Come on.”

Grinning, he grabs his water and takes my seat. I slide in across from him.

“Smooth way to get me to join you,” he teases.

I laugh. “It wasn’t that. I didn’t want you getting all tense and fidgety every time the door opened.”

“Uh-huh. Sure.”

Ruby comes out with our food and smirks when she sees us sitting together. She doesn’t say anything as she drops off the food before heading to the new customers to take their orders.

“Bet I can finish my food first,” I challenge him.

“I doubt you can even eat all that,” he snorts.

“Wanna bet?”

“Sure.”

“Loser pays.”

“Deal.” He extends his hand.

I slip my hand into his and shake, grinning at him across the table. “I’m Blake, by the way.”

“Luca.”

“Nice to meet you, Luca. Now…Go!”

We both dig in, and I smile as I watch him. His dark brown hair falls over his forehead as he bites into his sandwich.

“Do you have family in town?” I ask as I take a bite of my sandwich.

“Yeah.”

“A wife? Kids? Mom and Dad?”

He peeks at me from beneath his eyelashes, his blue eyes sparkling. “Are you trying to slow me down?”

I smirk. “I’m not a cheater! I’m just trying to learn a little more about the man who’s about to buy me dinner.”

He chuckles and grabs another fry. “My brother lives here. He’s a firefighter.”

“Oh, that’s cool. He must love having you here.”

“Yeah, it’s been good getting to spend more time with him.”

“Is it just the two of you?”

“Yeah, our parents passed a few years ago.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Thanks. What about you?”

“I don’t know anyone here.”

“What about family?”