I yawned, curving my back, my muscles still a little sore from last night’s exertion.
“Are you in pain?” he asked, sounding concerned.
“Nothing too bad. I am in need of a coffee and a snack though. I think I deserve one after all that fish information.”
His expression wavered, and his hand dropped from mine, reminding me that while Jasper Fischer came across to most people as confident, he was often anything but.
“Joke, Professor. Now, come on, feed me.”
“You sound like Audrey 2 fromLittle Shop of Horrors.”
I tutted as I took hold of his hand again. “Is that another reference to some olden day film I’ve never heard of?”
He gasped as we stepped outside. “It’s a classic. And a musical. How have you never heard of it?”
I turned to face him, loving how relaxed and at ease he looked; the frown lines he usually wore seemingly less pronounced. “It’s a myth that all gay people like musicals, Professor,” I chastised playfully, offering him a wink before he could take my sarcasm the wrong way.
We worked a short distance to the bar I wanted to take him to. This part of the city was a haven for tourists, but The Bear and Beaver was worth how busy it got. I pushed open the door, not quite ready for the throng of people inside.
“Oh my god, it looks like the world and their dog decided to eat here,” I cried as I looked around.
Jasper’s lips brushed my ear as he leant in, obviously thinking it would be the only way I could hear him, and I wasn’t complaining about his proximity. “Do you want to go somewhere else?”
I shook my head. “No. I’ve been looking forward to this all day. They do the best food, and I’m starving, but you have to have a table number to order.”
While all the tables were full of people eating, the floor space was equally busy, with people standing around with their drinks. It was packed.
“Well, let’s find a seat and order.” He placed his hand on my back in that protective move he seemed to like, and I let him guide me through.
There was a single bench seat free in the far back corner, the freestanding seat on the other side being used by another table. He glanced at me before moving to it with determination.
“Sit,” he instructed as we got nearer. “I’ll go order, and something else might come free, or I can stand. We can’t have those poor dancer’s legs suffering.”
“I’m not sitting there on my own.”
“Tell me what you want to eat, then we can work out seats. At least, this way we can order before you flip out with low blood sugar because you got too hungry.”
We both leant over the menu that was sealed under the glass top of the table.
“Didn’t have you classed as someone who would love a diner-style place,” Jasper chuckled next to me.
“Are you saying I’m a snob?” I asked as I took a seat, not wanting to admit that my legs were aching.
“You have a coaster on your desk so you don’t leave ring stains, and you lay a napkin in your lap when you eat a muffin.”
I lifted my brow. “You noticed?”
Jasper leant his hand on the table, bending slightly at the waist as our eyes locked together. “I notice you a lot.”
I nibbled on my bottom lip, trying not to react to his words.
“I’ll have the corndogs with the works,” I replied.
“Okay.” He stood and vanished through the crowd, and I tried not to fan myself like a character from a historical romance novel.
I hoped the crowd would ease as I waited for him to come back, but if anything, it got busier, and by the time Jasper got back, there was barely anywhere to stand.
I let out a soft groan as I stood. “Sit.” I pointed to where I’d been sitting.