Perfectly Imperfect Mine (Garrison Brothers Book 1)

check? What a jerk! What an asshole! What did she expect? Looking over her shoulder at him, she stared again. He was gorgeous, but there was something else she saw, something more. In the past two weeks, she had watched him. She admired his confidence when he walked in and sat alone like he was completely comfortable in his own skin. When he came in with the other guys, there was an ease about him.
As if he knew he was being watched he raised his head and looked at her. She’d been caught! Blinking her eyes and gulping, she ducked her head and rushed toward the kitchen.
Melinda was flipping her hair and laughing as she came out from the kitchen. When she saw Sadie, her smile dwindled, and she looked concerned. By the look on Melinda’s face, she knew she was not hiding her disappointment well.
“What’s wrong?”
“Table two wants his check. And he wants you to bring it.” She hated that her voice cracked.
Melinda looked over her head to his table and then back to her. Her eyebrows scrunched downward, and she looked confused. Her expression changed to regret as she took in Sadie’s solemn stare.
“Okay,” she quietly muttered.
“I’m going to take my break now if that’s okay; can you cover me?” Sadie no longer met her eyes. Her hurt and disappointment began to overwhelm her, and she just wanted to be alone for a few minutes to get herself in check. Sadie was usually so guarded, not easily shaken. But this guy… This guy had made her scatterbrained. Jerk!
Melinda rubbed her shoulder as she passed by her. “Sure thing, Sadie.”
Within seconds, she was through the swinging kitchen doors and out the back. Breathing in the cool air, she tried to clear her mind of the dark haired, green eyed stranger.
****
Stone watched her as she talked to his waitress. She was probably bitching about him. The way her face dropped and lost its smile when he told her to have the other waitress bring his check, he knew she was upset. It was a dick move, and he knew it. It wasn’t often he regretted his actions but right now he was feeling like a complete and utter asshole. He could have handled that better. He should have handled it like a real man and not a dick. It was just a check. What was the big fucking deal? But it was more than that and Stone knew it. If she had come back over, she would have done the little hot as hell nervous stutter, and he’d be forced to watch the crimson blush shadow over her cheeks while fighting back the steel rod in his pants. And that voice? Sweet and kind, fucking genuinely nice? No, no fucking way! He was smart enough to know his limits.
His waitress looked over at him and then back to her. He watched from hooded eyes as she walked through the doors into the kitchen. It was for the best. Being an ass was going to keep her away from him, and far away was where that hot little waitress had to stay. Shit!
He had discovered the diner the first night in town, two weeks ago. The food was greasy and crappy. But it wasn’t the food that had him coming in every night. It was the sweet eyed, brown haired sexy waitress with the tight uniform that looked like a second skin embracing her tits. She was fucking beautiful. That woman had become a daily part of his routine in his shower.
There was more to her that went far beyond her looks. From the first day he caught sight of her, he was intrigued, and it may have well been because she was fucking gorgeous, but there was something else about her. The way she interacted with people. She had an ease in how she spoke, and the tone she used. She smiled and listened like she really gave a shit what they were saying. Oddly enough, he couldn’t help but believe it was genuine. And that fucking laugh. It was more of a giggle that reminded him of bells chiming. The first time he heard it, the corner of his mouth curled and he chuckled. Unfortunately for him, he’d been with his brothers, and they took notice. Anyone would have to be damn near blind not to see Stone’s interest. He’d spent an obsessive amount of time watching her. But that’s all he could have, watching from afar. And being a prick when he finally did talk to her. Fuck me!
He leaned back in the booth as his waitress walked over to him with check in hand. She gave him a polite smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. Stone had upset the other girl, and this one was not happy about it. A plastered fake smile greeted him as she dropped the check on the table.
“The check. Have a nice day.” Her tone was anything but genuine.
“Thanks,” he muttered.
She walked away as Stone reached for his wallet but then she stopped, turning back to him.
“There’s a truck stop about ten miles off Main…the food’s pretty good there.” Her stare was serious. “You should try it.”
The corner of his lip curled. She wanted him to stay away. Not a fucking chance in hell that was happening. He may not be able to touch Sadie, but it didn’t mean he couldn’t look. He may not be able to do anything with the sexy little waitress but he sure as shit wasn’t staying away from her completely. If all he got was the view, he was going to take it. Giving up that small vice was not something Stone was willing to do. Seeing her had become the highlight of his day.
Stone snorted. “I don’t think your boss would appreciate you sending his customers to another restaurant. Do you?”
Her lip quirked up and her back straightened. Her scowl was locked on Stone.
“I don’t give a shit what my boss thinks.” She scowled