Chapter 205

Judy’s POV

I barely had time to register what was happening when we walked into The Grove. The familiar delicious scents of the food that I have come to love invaded my nose and made my stomach rumble even more than it was on our drive into the city. The hostess gave Gavin a polite smile and a bow of her head as she led us through the busy restaurant, many who had recognized him were gawking, not believing that the pristine Lycan Chairmen, Gavin Landry, was actually dining at The Grove.

This was not the typical restaurant that he would be dining in; he should be in a fine dining establishment, owned by him or his people. But instead, he was in a small establishment, owned by someone else, eating food that could be classified as greasy, though delicious.

It was almost laughable, but now the casual clothing made sense. He was never planning on taking me anywhere fancy and a part of me wondered why.

Was I not good enogu hfor a 5 star resteraunt? Was he ashamed to be seen with a low-class girl in front of his fancy and rich friends? Or maybe it was something else.

I swallowed another lump in my throat as we walked through the crowded establishment and towards a private booth. There were candles on the table, which wasn’t something they did for everyone and there was a reserved placemat on the table, indicating that this table was reserved for a pristine guest.

“I hope everything is to your liking, Alpha,” the waitress said. “The waiter, Marcus, will be with you in a moment and if there’s anything I can do for you, just let me know. My name is Carly and I’m happy to be at your service.”

She bowed to him again, giving him a polite smile before lifting her gaze.

He nodded, dismissing her as he motioned for me to sit at the booth. I slid into the booth, tucking my purse beside me. Gavin slid beside me; it was a round booth, so it wasn’t strange for him to sit beside me.

Carly handed us our menus and poured a couple of glasses of water before retreating.

“This is unexpected,” I said, glancing down at the menu. I get the same thing every time I come here, so I wasn’t sure why I was glancing at the menu. But I felt a bit awkward and nervous in his presence, especially in a place that didn’t really suit him.

He looked at the menu, his expression was hard to read.

“I wanted to try something new,” he murmured, his eyes never leaving the pages of the menu.

“Why The Grove?” I found myself asking. “It doesn’t suit you.”

He raised his brows, and for a moment, I thought I saw a smile tugging at the corner of his lips, but it was gone in a heartbeat.

“And what does suit me?” He asked me.

“Elegant restraints like the Whimsical Whisk, or Carter’s resort,” I told him, raising my brows. “There were others on this strip that you could have chosen from. Other’s that are more suitable for guys like you…”

“Guys like me?”

I sighed, rolling my eyes but keeping my face buried in my menu.

“Lycan’s,” I murmured. “Rich CEOs. Eligible bachelors… you know, the works,” I explained. “Do I really need to explain that to you?”

He smirked as he looked at me.

“So, you’re saying a rich CEO can’t order a brisket or a burger?” He asked, argument clear in his tone.

My cheeks flushed and I bit my lower lip, nibbling on it. I barely even noticed his gaze drifting to my mouth because he averted his attention from my lips before I could even look at him.

“I’m saying… I thought you’d never be caught dead in a place like this,” I admitted.

His shoulders rumbled with laughter, though it was silent. He fixed his attention back on his menu and scanned the greasy foods.

“What are you ordering?” He asked.

I was embarrassed to tell him what I was ordering; usually, I get a pulled pork sandwich with extra pickles and fries with garlic butter and parmesan cheese. I also get an alcoholic root beer float. This place was popular for its greasy sandwiches, which was why they are rated high and why they get so busy that reservations are recommended.

I debated whether or not I should tell him or not… maybe I’ll just order a salad. Their cobb salads look pretty good, and I could order a glass of wine with it.

“A cobb salad,” I tell him softly, my eyes averting his as my stomach continues to rumble in protest. it didn’t want a salad; it wanted something greasy. My body associated this place with nasty greasy food and a salad was not going to satisfy me right now. “And maybe a glass of wine. What wine do you recommend?” I asked him as I tried to hand him the wine menu.

He glanced at the menu and then back at me without taking it.

“You’re telling me with everything on this menu, you’re going to get a cobb salad and wine?” He asked, his brows raised.

My cheeks flushed, but I wasn’t going to back down.

“Yes,” I said, though even I didn’t sound very convincing to myself.

He put his menu down and turned to face me, his scrutiny burning into the side of my face as I fought to keep my eyes from finding his.

“Judy, look at me,” he ordered, his tone calm and almost sultry. My cheeks flushed even more; why was I suddenly so nervous around him?

I glanced up at him awkwardly, my eyes finding his.

He reached out, and tucked a strand of hair behind my hair, his touch surprisingly gentle and it left me almost breathless. His fingers lingered on my cheek for a moment, and I had to fight the urge to lean into him.

“When you come here with your friends, what do you usually order,” he asked, his tone low and his eyes never leaving mine.

I let out a breath, surprised by his question.

“How did you know I came here with my friends?” I asked in a breathless whisper.

He smirked, his eyes crinkling in the corners.

“Because I’ve done my research before deciding where to take you,” he replied. “Now answer my question.”

I bit my lower lip and again, chewing on it nervously.

“Bite your lip again and I’ll bend you over this table and give everyone in here a real show,” he said darkly, his tone husky, sending a jolt right between my legs.

I gawked at him, my face heating with embarrassment. I released my lip with a sudden pop and licked it as I looked at the menu.

“Tell me what you normally order,” he said again, his tone even lower this time.

“A pulled pork sandwich with extra pickles and fries with garlic butter and parmesan cheese and an alcoholic root beer float,” my voice was rushed and soft as I averted my eyes from his. I didn’t want to see his reaction.

He put his menu down without saying a word, just as the waiter arrived.

“Good evening, Alpha Landry and his date,” he began politely. “I am Marcus, your waiter for the evening. It’s an honor to be at your service and please, if you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to tell me.”

Gavin nodded at him, his expression stoic and leaving no hint of what he was thinking or feeling.

Marcus pulled out his tablet, ready to enter our order into the system.

“Can I start you off with something to drink? We have an excellent wine selection and—”

“Actually, I think we are ready to order,” Gavin told him.

Marcus's eyes flashed with surprise and then he smiled with a nod.

“Of course, Alpha,” he said getting his tablet ready. “I should have known you’d know exactly what you wanted for wine. I’m assuming the most expensive brand.”

Gavin nodded.

“Bring us that yes, but we are also getting something else,” he told him.

Marcus’s eyes flashed excitedly; he could already taste the large tip that Gavin was going to leave him at the end of this meal no doubt.

“What else can I get you?” He asked.

“We’d like to order two alcoholic root beer floats,” he shocked me by saying. I glanced at him surprised. Marcus put that in the tablet.

“Excellent choice, Sir. That’s a fan favorite for sure,” Marcus hummed as he tapped away on the tablet.

“We are also ready to order,” Gavin told him. Marcus nodded to him to go ahead. “We would like two pulled pork sandwiches, both with extra pickles, and two orders of garlic parmesan fries.”

My mouth fell open.

Marcus nodded again as he quickly tapped that into the tablet.

“Another excellent choice. You won’t be disappointed,” Marcus said as he lifted his gaze. “I’ll get that to you right away.”

“Oh, and Marus,” Gavin said before he could walk away. “Can you rush out an order of Mozzarella balls and Pretzel bites as well?” Gavin glanced at me, his eyes dark and a smirk playing on his lips. “I’m feeling extra hungry tonight.”