Page 3 of Monster Bully

Graham was not an easy guy to read. He seemed very reserved and closed off. Of course, they were total strangers, and she did need to remember that. They were not best friends, not that she ever had a best friend.

Before her parents’ passing, she had loved spending time with her family. She loved family night, where they would play games, or movie night. Yes, her peers had considered her to be a bit different, but she didn’t care. She’d been close to her family, and losing them at eighteen had been hard. Making friends didn’t come easy to her, and staying alone was a lot simpler.

“So, you recommend anything?” he asked.

“Yes. Trust me, you will not be disappointed.”

The waitress came over, and Eve saw it was a new girl. Gran’s Place always had a rotation of waitresses. Most of them were hoping to become models or actresses, and worked there until they got their big break. From what Eve knew, there had been no successful actresses from their waitresses. She didn’t even know if Granny and Grandpa would admit to knowing any famous people. It didn’t matter. All that mattered was the food and the people.

She ordered a large burger and fries for herself, with extra fried onions, because she was feeling the need for food. The animal shelters were fit to bursting with all the new dogs that had been dropped off. It broke her heart seeing them all being left behind by families that no longer wanted them, or didn’t care to see them in their final stages. Graham ordered the same and Eve smiled at him.

Silence fell between them. She didn’t know how to fill the silence. Dating … men … were an enigma to her. Certainly not a code she hoped to crack anytime soon.

Eve was twenty-five years old and a virgin, with no dating prospects. Some women would be throwing themselves at Graham. He was a good-looking man. He had dark-brown hair and deep-brown eyes that appeared almost black. He was tall as well, heavily muscled, and she got a glimpse of what looked like tattoos beneath the collar of his shirt and the cuff of his jacket.

Both times she met him, he hadn’t been wearing a coat, which seemed completely irresponsible because it was so cold out. She was always freezing.

“I do want to thank you again for helping me.”

She waved her hand, trying to brush off the thanks. “Anyone would have helped.”

“No, they wouldn’t. There are not a lot of good people in the world.”

“I like to think the best of people.”

He tilted his head to the side. “Why?”

“Isn’t it kind of … sad, to think the world is full of bad people?” she asked.

“I guess, but you have to think logically and be real. Most people don’t give a shit about anyone but themselves.”

She shrugged. “I know and I get it. Trust me, I have seen it firsthand, but that doesn’t mean I have to behave like them. I can try and make the world a better place.”

“Single-handedly?”

“I’d like to think that after people have met me, they go home, and it might give them hope, maybe. I know it sounds silly. There’s a lot of bad stuff happening in the world, and it is full of nasty everything. Doesn’t mean I have to add to it.”

“You’re like an angel, aren’t you?”

She frowned. “No. I’m just a person, trying to be good.”

“I like that.”

Eve smiled. “So tell me, Graham, tell me about yourself.”

“There’s nothing to tell. I’m more curious about you. Tell me about yourself,” he said.

She wasn’t sure what he wanted to know and she was saved from answering as the waitress brought over their food. Another reason she loved Gran’s place was the portion sizes were so generous, and she could eat her meal and be full at the end of it.

Eve thanked the waitress and picked up her fork. The extra fried onions were spread across her fries. She absolutely loved this combo, and always ordered it. Sometimes she asked for extra cheese as well, but this was so good. Piercing a fry, with plenty of onions, she shoved it in her mouth and started to chew. It tasted so good. Better than good. Her mouth watered for more.

She glanced over at Graham to see him staring at her. He was so handsome and she felt her face starting to heat up. Nibbling her bottom lip, she tried to think of anything that would stop her blushing. She wasn’t used to being the focus of a man’s attention.

“What do you think?” she asked, trying to distract him with the food. She nodded at his plate, keeping a smile on her lips as she asked.

“I think it’s delicious,” he said. “But I’m more intrigued by the company.”

“Oh,” she said.