Grizzly Flying Free (Air Bear Shifters Book 2) by Sloane Meyers Page B

way too much. He was just asking you to dinner because you said you were lonely and that made him feel guilty.
    Lexi didn’t have much more time to drive herself crazy with her internal monologue, though. She heard a familiar squeal, and looked up to see Silver bounding toward her.
    “Hi, Miss Lexi! I love your dress. That’s a pretty color,” Silver said, then threw her arms around Lexi in a big bear hug. Lexi smiled. Leave it to a six-year-old to make you instantly feel better about your outfit. Lexi looked up to greet Anderson, and was relieved to see that he was at least wearing a button-down shirt with his jeans. She didn’t feel totally out of place anymore.
    He nodded at her in greeting, obviously feeling a bit awkward, and then gestured toward the door.
    “Shall we, ladies?” he asked, as he held the door open for Silver and her.
    Lexi followed Silver into the restaurant, and instantly fell in love with its adorable nautical décor. Wooden whales, anchors, and life-rings graced the ceiling, and strings of lights gave the room a festive, warm glow. The hostess led them to a booth next to one of the large windows that overlooked the water, giving the group a great view of the boats meandering by.
    “This place is really nice,” Lexi said as she settled into her seat across from Anderson and Silver. Anderson didn’t respond, but his small smile told Lexi that he was pleased at her words of approval. For a few minutes, they all looked over the menus in silence. At one point, Silver started coloring on her kids menu, filling the air with the rhythmic sound of a crayon passing back and forth over the paper.
    Lexi quickly decided on the grilled salmon with a side of wild rice pilaf. She also wanted to try one of the signature cocktails from the list, but she felt self-conscious ordering one in front of Anderson. He already thought she was a lush, and she didn’t know how he felt about her having a drink in front of Silver, either.
    As if he read her mind, Anderson suddenly looked up and reached across the table to point to the drink list on Lexi’s menu.
    “The Wheelhouse is a really good cocktail. I highly recommend it,” he said.
    Lexi smiled. “I was just considering that one,” she said.
    “Excellent! You won’t be disappointed,” Anderson said, just as their server arrived to take their drink orders. “Two Wheelhouses, please, and a chocolate milk for the little lady.”
    The server nodded and left to get their drinks, and Lexi stole a shy glance in Anderson’s direction. He was looking out the window now, focused carefully on something out on the water. Lexi admired his profile, appreciating the sharp, strong line of his jawbone and the hint of stubble on his tanned skin. She liked the way he had taken charge and ordered the drinks. He had an air of gentle authority about him that was so different from the brash, asshole brand of authority Greg had always exuded.
    Lexi realized with slight horror that she had just compared Anderson to Greg. What was she thinking? Anderson hadn’t given her any indication that he was romantically interested in her. Quite the opposite, in fact. He had kept his distance for the short time she’d known him, and she got the impression that he’d only asked her to dinner tonight because he felt sorry for her after she said she was lonely. Still, who could blame her for letting her mind wander back to romantic thoughts of Anderson? He was objectively the best looking man she had ever seen, and, now that she knew he was available, it was hard not to dream about having a man like that on her arm.
    Anderson seemed to sense that Lexi was looking at him, and he turned to meet her gaze.
    “What?” he asked. The expression in his eyes was softer now than Lexi had ever seen it, and she felt a warmth filling her as he gave her a questioning eyebrow raise.
    “I was just wondering what you were looking at,” Lexi stammered out. There was no mistaking the heat that was growing