Chapter 14

She nearly dropped her fork at the abrupt question but was quick to compose herself, glancing up at him with a questioning look in her eyes. She blinked a few times and continued to stare at him, waiting for him to burst out laughing but that never came.

“You’re asking me to dinner?”

“Yes.” He confirmed with a friendly smile and a hopeful look on his face. “People do, do that around here, right? Ask each other to dinner when they’re interested in getting to know them better?”

Anastasia resisted the urge to roll her eyes at his blatant and obvious attempt at flirting, but failed in keeping the grin off her face.

“Is this you trying to ask me out?” She dared to ask, unable to wipe the humoured grin off her face, enjoying her company now than she had done initially, especially since his gaze was no longer so smouldering and he was more interested in his food than staring at her.

So far, it appeared that while Harvey Ainsley was an alright fellow. Even if he didn’t give off the best first impressions.

“I’m new to the area and would love to make some friends.” He shrugged, his lips twitching at the corners even when he wiped at his mouth with a napkin. “I thought I’d start by trying my luck with a pretty lady like you.”

“Ah, I’m not great company you see.” Anastasia chuckled awkwardly as she blinked back at him before quickly returning her gaze to her food, hoping he would give up and they could return to the light conversation they were enjoying before.

“I beg to differ.”

“You don’t know me.”

“No, but I’d like the chance to get to know you. So, what about that dinner?” Harvey’s lips tipped higher, even going as far as to hold up his index and middle fingers on both hands, crossing them together, willing for her to agree.

Anastasia couldn’t resist throwing her head back and laughing at his lack of subtleness.

“I’ll have to ask my boyfriend but I’m sure the three of us will be able to fit some time in.” Anastasia made sure to drop in casually the mention of her boyfriend, purposely leaving out the fact that he was imaginary and very much didn’t exist.

Harvey hummed and his smile dropped a little at the corners, bowing his head just a little.

“I figured a pretty thing like you would have a boyfriend.”

She nodded, feeling slightly bad for the rejection but all in all, Raphael was probably right about her being too fussy and picky about everything, especially men. In front of her sat a handsome man who had been nothing but sweet and friendly to her and the moment he suggested that they grab dinner sometime, she had concocted an imaginary boyfriend so as to turn him down.

“Plus, you’re a werewolf.”

Harvey paused and glanced up at her in surprise before a quiet chuckle passed his lips, an impressed glint in his eyes.

“I’m surprised you picked up on that. Smart and beautiful. The whole package.”

“My boyfriend certainly thinks so.” Anastasia made sure to slip in the comment, not bothering with being subtle or coy about it anymore. Especially since she doubted that she would be seeing more of Harvey as he didn’t appear to be from around here but rather, a passer-by.

Light conversation continued between them and the more they spoke, the more Anastasia found herself enjoying his company as well as regretting to reject him so quick. However, she soon finished off her meal and glanced down at the time, she realised that needed to head to the supermarket before she returned home to finish the chapter she was previously working on.

“Holy shit!” Harvey whistled lowly as she rose to her feet and slipped her jacket over her shoulders. “It seems like you have more than a boyfriend.”

Anastasia laughed softly and grabbed her purse, dropping three bills on the table before he could reach into his pocket for his wallet, just enough to pay for both of their meals – feeling slight guilt with the way she had rushed to turn him down – and leaving a small tip for the waitress.

“Thank you.” He murmured in gratitude but she was quick to dismiss his thanks with a simple wave of her hand.

She pressed a hand to her stomach as she rocked back and forth on her feet, smiling softly at him. “Well, I have a few errands to run so I guess I should get going.”

“Well, I hope to see you around some time.” He grinned up at her before reaching over for her fries, having already polished all of his off.

“You’re sticking around?”

“I actually moved to town only last week so I won’t be going anywhere for a while.” He nodded.

“Well, Harvey Ainsley, I guess I might just see you around.”

“Both you and that baby daddy of yours.” He teased, a look of disbelief on his face even though his eyes lingered on her protruding stomach.

Anastasia laughed softly as she turned around and headed out of the diner, smiling politely at her waitress before she left.

When the sound of a notification on her phone beeped aloud, she let herself into her car and fished for the device in her purse. Her lips curled up into a smile as she read the message before her fingers worked quickly to type back a response. Dropping her phone back into her purse, Anastasia started up the car with a new destination in mind.

It appeared that grocery shopping would have to wait another day as she now had plans for the evening.