She hated cleaning her dad’s barbeque, but it would be worth it.
Once it was set up, she threw the steaks on the grill and watched Matthew. He wiped the sweat from his brow, cleaned up the machine, and placed the grass clippings around the flower beds. Her mother did it all the time. She swore by the grass clippings, which was a surprise for a woman who loved everything to be clean. There was an exception to the rule. Fresh grass clippings. Done on the same day. Her mother would never mix them.
With the steaks cooked, Luna returned to the kitchen and allowed them to rest. Once they were, she sliced them up, added potatoes to the plate, topped it with the steak, drizzled over the dressing, and dinner was done.
Just as Matthew came in to wash his hands.
“Where would you like to eat?” Luna asked.
“Wherever you are,” Matthew said.
“Outside.” She carried their plates to the small table, leaving their food to return to the kitchen and grab them drinks.
This wasn’t a date. She wasn’t giving Matthew a chance.
It was dinner. A payment of services. That was all.
This meant absolutely nothing. Even if it was his favorite meal she kind of memorized and happen to love as well.
****
Matthew hadn’t been in the neighborhood. He hadn’t even been close. There had been no reason for him to be here. No reason at all.
The club didn’t need him to. No errands.
What brought him here was the fact he hadn’t seen his woman in a very long time. Too long. He needed his Luna fix, and the only way to get that was to come around. The fact she’d been mowing her lawn, a job he knew she hated, was just a damn bonus. Now, as he sat opposite her, he got to have his fill, and fuck him if it wasn’t a fucking high.
Luna chewed on her steak. Her gaze kept falling on him and then moving around, looking elsewhere.
The food was delicious. His favorite. Did she know that? Holly had asked him some time ago if she could talk about him and his favorite meal on the blog. He didn’t have a problem with it. Food was food, and this was his favorite meal, or at least one of his favorites.
“Thank you,” Luna said. “For doing the lawn. You didn’t have to do that. I was happy to do that.”
He smiled. “It was a pleasure, and don’t lie. You’re not happy to do it.”
Luna chuckled. “Okay, but I’m not afraid to work hard.” She shrugged.
“I know you’re not. I saw that the diner is shut again. Is Mac sick or something?”
“I don’t know. He’s acting strangely. I only know when the diner is shut when … well, I arrive and see the notice on the door.”
“He doesn’t let you know ahead of time?”
She shook her head. “Nope.”
“What a dick.”
Luna smiled. “Don’t be like that. It’s fine.”
“But he’s your boss. Are you getting paid for all this closed time?”
“I have no idea. He won’t take my calls. Told me that if the sign saysclosed, it means it is closed.”
“That’s odd.”
“Yeah, right. I couldn’t remember him ever closing up the diner like this before.”
He had to agree. Mac’s was always open. “Still, at least I get to eat good food.” He winked at her.