Her lips pull even further and her eyes sparkle. It must satisfy her that I seemed to remember her name. I’m sure she also knows that I’m an extremely generous tipper and is excited she managed to score my table.
″I’m good, thank you. Your usual this morning?”
″Please. Two orders.”
″Usual?” Haley asks as she looks at me.
I tuck her further into my side, my hand resting on her hip. “Best French toast,” I tell her. “Would you like something to drink? Mimosa?”
Her eyes brighten as she nods. “Mimosa would be great.”
″Two?” Jessica asks.
″Please,” I say.
″Sure thing. I’ll be back with your drinks in a bit.”
″Thank you,” Haley says.
Haley’s head falls onto my shoulder as she inhales. “I didn’t realize you were such a regular.”
″I have meetings here.”
Haley shifts uncomfortably, and I move so she has more room. My hand covers hers and I use my thumb to stroke her skin gently. She doesn’t shy away or tense. In fact, I’ve noticed much less tension in her shoulders than normal since the night we spent together in the shower.
The need to constantly touch her is entirely new. I haven’t had a girlfriend since high school. Never felt the need. Picking girls up at the nightclub became the norm for me. But Haley? She’s drawn me in since the second I laid my eyes on her.
I can’t get enough of her. Her scent, her touch, her smile, and her fucking eyes. When they’re dull, I make it my mission to brighten them. And when they shine with that perfect glow that hints at her amusement, it swells my chest with pride.
I’m a junkie, addicted to her happiness. Driven to madness whenever I get a hit of her beautiful laugh.
“Haley?” A voice pulls me from my thoughts. My nose is buried in her hair, so I pull my head from her to see who’s interrupting us.
The fucking copper.
I grind my teeth at the sight of the prick, eyes narrowing as he steps toward the table. Haley’s hand under mine curls into a fist.
″Drake.” Her voice quivers as she straightens. “Uhh…hey.”
″Haven’t seen you at the hospital lately. Everything okay?” His eyes dance to me, narrowing as he sends me a determined look. As if he could take me in a fight.
I’d gut him in a fucking instant.
My jaw tightens as I continue to stroke her hand to keep her calm. If he weren’t a cop, I would have already taken him to the warehouse and beaten him until he understood to stay away.
″Took the week off,” Haley says. “You remember Callum, right?” Her head turns to me. “Cal, I don’t think I ever introduced you properly. You remember Officer Kirkland from the night you came to the hospital with Paddy?”
″Aye.” I don’t bother with pleasantries.
″I remember. Neither of you were ever admitted that evening. What happened with that?”
I squint, unsure where he’s getting at with his bullshit accusations. “We were visiting a friend,” I say.
Haley moves and leans against her crossed arms on the table. “And how would you know that? You don’t have access to that information.”
He clears his throat. “Anyway. Crazy seeing you here. I was just stopping by for some coffee before I head home to get ready for work. I’ll let you get back to your…”
Haley fills in the blank for him as he stares me down. “My date. You’ll let me get back to my date. Thanks, Drake. See you around.”