Page 16 of Infinitely Mine
I rested my elbow on the table and lifted my hand, holding out my pinky. “We loop them together. Pinky promises are forever. They can’t ever be broken.”
“I like that.” Jacob’s pinky linked with mine.
“This means I’m lookin’ out for you and your mama.”
“I know.” He beamed a toothy grin. “You and Helkin.”
I meant every word. That pinky swear only confirmed what I knew deep inside. Rowen and Jacob Casey needed protection.
I just appointed myself as their guardian.
Chapter 4
Two weeks later, I waved to Jacob as he trotted into his new Kindergarten class, hoisting his backpack high as he entered. I worried he would be anxious, but he told me this morning that he already had three new friends waiting for him and not to worry. He also informed me that his teacher, Ms. Snow, was nice, and he would love her class.
Sometimes, my Jakey seemed so much older than six.
My phone vibrated inside my purse as I returned to my car, and I swiped across the screen when I saw Mammoth’s name. “Hey, Mammoth.”
“Good morning, Rowen. I want to take you to breakfast. Want to meet me at Millie’s Diner? I’ll text the address so you can plug it into GPS.”
“Okay,” I replied, wondering what he wanted to talk about.
“See you soon, Gorgeous.”
He ended the call, and I waited for his text.
Once I had the address, I drove to the diner.
Mammoth already waited for me by the entrance. The sleek black paint of his Harley glimmered under the hot Nevada sun even in the winter. It was a beautiful bike. The chrome shined like a new penny, and I almost asked him if he would take me for a ride sometime.
A part of me wanted a ride on him and his Harley because this man was delicious to look at, sweet, and just enough bad boy for me to get the wild ride I craved. But I didn’t have the luxury of taking him to my bed when I had a child to think about, and Jacob’s needs would always come before mine.
My ex never understood that.
“I’m starved,” Mammoth announced as I joined him. His hand lightly pressed to my lower back when he opened theentrance to the diner, ushering me inside with a gentle push. “This is one of my favorite spots. They’ve got the best pancakes in Nevada.”
An older woman with graying hair waved as we stepped in. “Don’t you go talking up my restaurant, Waylen Riggs, or I’ll have to kiss you.”
Waylen Riggs?
Mammoth laughed and kept his hand where it rested. “Don’t go flirting with me in front of my guest, Millie.”
She winked as we followed her, and I guessed she was the Millie behind Millie’s Diner. We sat at a booth and soon sipped coffee and hot tea while Millie put in our order.
“So, Waylen Riggs, huh?”
He grinned. “Yeah. I don’t hear it much, so sometimes I forget it’s me.”
What a jokester. “I think Millie is sweet on you.”
“She better be because I helped pay for this restaurant, and I’m the co-owner.”
My brows lifted in surprise. “Wow. Is that why we came here?”
“I do get a hell of a discount, but no, I came here because it’s the only place I can get decent grits.”
Grits? “You like southern food?”