With everything wrapped up, she placed them in a box. Her hands shook as she left the kitchen. Caleb and his friends were still waiting.

“Hi, I hate to do this but my boss says he doesn’t want you in here. I want to thank you for rescuing me. I’m really, really sorry about this. I don’t know why he acts the way he does.” She shrugged.

Guilt clawed up her body. Why did Joe have to be such an absolute asshole?

She wanted to hug the man in front of her. And damn, he was huge.

Caleb.

Such a nice name.

Sexy.

Dangerous.

He smiled at her, and she felt it radiate through her entire body like sunshine.

It seemed like he didn’t smile enough in his life and needed to learn to do so. I could help him. The thought struck her so hard and so fast, she nearly stumbled. Keeping her smile in place, she tried to ignore her rioting feelings.

She felt odd. “Anyway, it was nice to meet you.”

“It was nice to meet you, Bethany,” Caleb said. “How long will you be staying in town?”

“Awhile, I’m hoping to settle down here. That’s the goal, anyway.”

“What about family?” one of his friends asked.

“Nope, it’s just me.” Where was her filter? She didn’t have anyone in the world, but telling a complete stranger who could be an axe murderer wasn’t going to help. She returned her attention to Caleb.

He was so handsome, crazy sexy, and for some reason, he made her feel safe.

“It was nice to meet you,” she said, repeating herself to prolong their encounter.

She held her hand out and he took it. She didn’t want to let go but forcing a man to hold her hand wasn’t exactly the politest thing to do.

“I hope I see you again soon,” she said.

Caleb made no move to pull away. “You can count on seeing me very soon. Of that, have no doubt.”

His friends got up out of the booth, complete with the order of goodies she’d given them. Caleb finally let go of her hand and it looked like he wanted to say more.

He didn’t.

She watched him go.

He didn’t say anything. Bethany had hoped he’d slip her his number, but no. It was over. She sighed her disappointment.

She wanted to go with them. Screw the job and follow her instincts.

Don’t. Don’t ever set yourself up for disappointment.

Bethany squashed whatever hope she had building inside her. Unlike the people in the diner, she didn’t have anyone. She’d come to learn it didn’t matter how nice or amenable she was, people didn’t like her. They used her for what they could get and then dumped her.