Saving You (Love Wanted In Texas Book 2)(2)

I continued to look out the passenger window as I said, “No worries.” I looked back at him and smiled. He gave me that damn sexy grin of his and then put the truck in drive and took off. He reached over and turned on his radio. Mantz Brothers’ “One Kiss At a Time” started playing. I closed my eyes and leaned my head back against the headrest.

This is going to be a long drive.



“ARE YOU HUNGRY, Lib?”

I looked up from my chemistry book and saw we were in Austin already. Glancing over to Luke, I couldn’t help but smile back at his stupid sexy grin. I shrugged my shoulders. “I’m kind of hungry. Are you?”

He smiled bigger. “I’m starved. Franklin’s?”

I laughed and shook my head. Luke and his barbeque. The bastard knew Franklin’s was my favorite, except if you didn’t get there first thing in the morning you were out of luck. They sold out every day by noon. “Luke, there is no way they are going to have food left.” I glanced at my watch. “It’s almost eleven thirty. The line is going to be around the block.”

Luke turned right and started heading toward Eleventh Street. “You still like brisket, right?”

I nodded my head even though he wasn’t looking at me and clearly ignoring what I had to say. “Yeah, I do.”

He chuckled and said, “There ya go. Let’s go get some of your favorite brisket.”

Shaking my head, I sighed. We were wasting our time.

Luke pulled into the parking lot and parked. The place was practically empty. I looked around and only saw a few cars.

“Where is everyone?” I asked as Luke turned off his truck and got out. He made his way around the front of the truck and opened my door. When he held his hand out for mine, I wanted to push him. Why is he being so sweet to me? I hate it when he does this. It confuses me.

We started walking toward the restaurant. There was a closed sign up. “They’re closed already, Luke,” I said as I reached for his arm. He shot me a sneaky grin and grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the door. The butterflies deep in my core caused me to place my hand on my stomach.

Luke pushed the door open and I was overtaken by the smell of heaven. I glanced around the restaurant. There was no one sitting at any of the old fashioned tables. All the red chairs were pushed in and the place was spotless.

The yellow walls always made me smile. I wasn’t sure why. Looking down, Luke still had a hold of my hand in his and I wasn’t about to pull my hand away. Any touch from him, I’d take.

I heard someone say Luke’s name as I raised my head and saw a guy walking toward us. He looked to be about our age and had dark-brown hair, almost black. He held out his hand to shake Luke’s. Reaching out, Luke shook his hand while he kept his grip on mine. I swallowed hard as he let go of it as he talked to the guy.

Luke smiled warmly and said, “Manny, thanks so much for doing this for us.”

Manny looked over at me, smiled and then turned back to Luke. “I always said I owed you one, I just never thought you’d be asking for something like this.”

Luke chuckled and nodded his head. “Manny, this is Libby. Libby, this is Manny. We met last year at A&M. Manny’s dad is the best friend of the owner of Franklin’s. He’s also the general manager here.”

Reaching out my hand, I shook Manny’s. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Manny slapped his hands together. “I hear the brisket here is your favorite.” I laughed as I nodded my head. “Well you’re in luck.” He motioned with his hands for us to sit. Turning, I followed Luke to a table as he pulled out the seat and pushed it in for me as I sat.

As Luke sat, he and Manny talked about football and how well A&M was doing. I smiled at a young girl who walked over to our table and sat down two plates and silverware. She peeked over at Luke and smiled. She couldn’t have been more than sixteen. Her dark-brown hair and deep-brown eyes led me to believe she was related to Manny. They looked almost alike.

“Libby? Lib, are you listening?”

I looked over to Luke. “I’m sorry, I was … um … thinking of something,” I said as I felt my face heat up.

Luke looked at me and tilted his head as if he wanted to say something but didn’t. He was about to talk when the same young girl brought out all the food. My stomach growled as I inhaled a deep breath.

“Okay, well let me leave y’all be so you can eat and talk,” Manny said as he began to take a few steps back. I smiled and gave him a thumbs up since my mouth was full with brisket.

Luke made a sandwich and took a huge bite and then let out a moan. I giggled as I swallowed and said, “I know, right? It’s heaven. How did you do all of this? Why did you do all of this?”

Luke’s eyes filled with what appeared to be sadness before he masked it over with that damn smile of his. “I can’t do something for one of my best friends? I knew how much you loved this place and Manny owed me a favor. They were closed today, but he talked his dad into opening up for us.” Luke winked at me and laughed. “Plus they are catering a huge party at the capitol, so ...”

I laughed and shook my head. “In other words, you lucked out on timing.”

He took another bite and nodded his head. “I did.” Smiling, Luke asked, “How are you liking A&M, Lib?”