Free Alive (Mended Hearts #1) by Beth Maria

menu down on the table.
    “How about we get a large pizza and share it?” I suggest.
    “Are you ready to order?” the waitress asks. I didn’t even see her walk over. I must have really been focusing on Maisie.
    “We’ll have a large mighty meat feast please ,” I say, giving the waitress, whose nametag says Kelly, a polite smile. I don’t miss the way she checks me out. Women of all ages check me out everywhere I go. I’m not stupid. I’m a good looking guy, and I usually use it to my advantage. However, since meeting Maisie a few weeks ago, I haven’t been paying attention to other women. Trust me. It’s not through lack of trying. I’ve tried to pay attention to women who so blatantly want me, but every time I get close to doing anything with them, Maisie’s delicate face pops into my head, and I can’t help but compare everybody to her. She’s ruined me without even knowing about it.
    “Can I get you anything to drink?” Kelly asks, sticking her chest out toward my face. That’s another thing I’m used to; women willingly allowing me to check them out. Usually, I would, but like I said, that was before Maisie.
    “ Just a diet coke,” I say, not paying attention to her. Turning my attention to Maisie, I see that her eyes are bugging out of her head. I mentally laugh. Bless her, she’s so innocent. “Maisie, what do you want to drink?” I ask because I know the waitress has probably forgotten that she is sitting there.
    “A diet coke too , please.” The waitress snaps her head toward Maisie, giving her the once over.
    “Okay ,” Kelly says to Maisie bluntly before turning her attention back to me. Great. “Your pizza won’t be long.” With a wink, she’s gone.
    “Wow, she didn’t even really acknowledge that I was sitting here until you spoke to me. Are women always like that around you?” Maisie asks, looking shocked.
    “I’m not going to lie. Ye ah, they are,” I reply honestly.
    “Hmm...” is all she says.
    Maybe now would be a good time to give her the present I bought. It might cheer her up a little bit. Since the waitress left a few minutes ago, Maisie has just stared at the table, fiddling with her hands. It’s a little unnerving. “I got you a little something at the zoo. I hope you like it,” I say, pulling the bag off of the seat next to me and handing it over to her. She doesn’t attempt to get it out of the bag, just stares at it like it’s going to explode at any second. “You can have a look, you know. It’s not going to hurt you.”
    “I know that. I’m just shocked that you bought me something, is all.” She pulls the toy elephant out of the bag and just stares. Great. Maybe she doesn’t like it? What made you think that you know her well enough to know what she would like, Jesse? You fool!
    “If you don’t like it, I can take it back. I still have the receipt. It’s just, when I saw it, I thought it was the perfect thing to get you. You love elephants, and it says ‘Feed me’, and you fed the elephants for the first time today. This will help you remember.” I’m not a person who is usually uncertain about anything. However, right now, I’m pretty uncertain to whether she likes it or not.
    “NO!” Maisie says loudly, hugging the elephant to her chest. I let out the breath that I didn’t know I had been holding. She likes it. Relief courses through my body. “Sorry about my reaction. I just didn’t expect you to buy me anything, especially something this thoughtful. It’s beautiful. It truly is,” she whispers the last part so quietly I almost don’t hear it.
    “Hey, what’s wrong?” I ask , staring at the top of her head, as her head is bent down, staring at the table again. She seems to do that a lot when she’s embarrassed or thinking about things, I’ve noticed. “Maisie, look at me please,” I ask gently. I just want to make sure she’s okay.
    She slowly lifts her head, looking up at me through tear filled eyes. Fuck! This