Page 69 of Without You

“Once a week. Religiously. If I have to travel, I make sure I have a masseuse available.”

“How boujee of you,” I tease.

He laughs loudly, causing people to turn and look at us. He ducks his head when he notices but doesn’t stop laughing. “Absolutely. I’m very high maintenance.”

Shaking my head, I give him a look and roll my eyes. He continues to ask me questions about my new career and growing up in Benton, even though I don’t really consider Benton where I grew up. He seems very interested in our sleepy little town, but at least I’m no longer getting the feeling that he’s somewhat of a stalker. If anything, he appears to be a little nervous, like maybe he doesn’t date much — even though this isn’t a date — or maybe he just isn’t comfortable talking with others.

“I’m stuffed,” I announce, leaning back in my seat.

“Me, too. I haven’t had breakfast like that in years.”

“Breakfast is my favorite. It might sound cheesy but I love IHOP and going places like that.”

“Not cheesy at all. Waffle House, IHOP, anywhere that focuses on breakfast, really, they’re the best.”

I cheer. “Finally! Something about you other than you get massages!”

He rolls his eyes. “I’m reserved, okay? I can’t help it.”

“It’s fine, just makes it tough to get to know you. Also, if this actually was a date, which it wasn’t, for the record, it would have been terrible.”

His eyes widen. “So it could have been a date?”

I shake my head. “Nope. I’m seeing someone.”

“Damn. The good ones are always taken.”

I give him a soft smile and let him know that I need to use the restroom before leaving. “Oh. And I already paid,” I add as I’m walking toward the bathroom.

Quickly doing my thing, I return to see our table empty and wonder if he left or is waiting outside. Part of me hopes he just left, but I quickly usher that thought out of my head. I’m not a rude person and he truly did a very nice thing for me by giving me his spare tire. That’s above and beyond what most people would do for a complete stranger.

He’s waiting outside next to my car looking down at his phone when I approach.

“Thanks again for helping me out. I couldn’t get ahold of anyone and I was starting to panic.”

“No big deal. I’m glad I could help. You didn’t have to pay for our food,” he says with a stern expression. “I had planned to pay but somehow you’re sneakier than I gave you credit for.”

“Of course I paid, Elijah. That’s what people do, right? They thank the person who did something nice for them?”

“I guess.”

He rests a hip against the back driver’s side door and crosses his arms.

“Okay, well, thanks, again. I’ll leave the spare at the Benton tire shop for you and tell the guys what happened. They know me pretty well there. Just go in and ask for Johnny and he’ll know what’s happening.”

“Johnny… the boyfriend?”

I giggle. “Hardly. Oh, gosh. He’s awesome but no. Not my boyfriend. I don’t think that boy’ll ever settle down. He’s too wild.”

“Old friend then, I take it.”

“Definitely.”

“Small town.” He nods knowingly.

“Exactly. Anyway, I gotta run. Thanks again.”

“Anytime. Happy to help. Good to meet you, Katie.”

“You, too.”

Then before I can stop him, he leans over and kisses my cheek, squeezes my bicep, and spins on his heels and struts to his own car.

I stand here stunned for a few seconds before sliding inside my car.

What a strange morning.

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