Page 57 of Pity Play

“You’re the one buying them dinner.”

“Then it’s very nice ofus.”

“I can live with that.”

He points to the one free booth by the window. “I was saving that one for us, but what do you say we let Chloe and her friends have it?”

The thought that he had reserved the best table in the housefor our meal makes goosebumps appear on my arms. “That would be perfect,” I tell him.

Within twenty minutes, a group of young girls pours into Pop’s. Chloe greets them with a squeal of excitement and leads the way to their table. I continue to seat people as they come in. The older folks appear a little upset when they have to wait for a table, but when they see all the kids dressed up, they take it in stride.

I hear one woman tell her friend, “Remember when that was us, Barb? It’s hard to believe we ever looked that good.”

“Istilllook that good,” Barb retorts. When her friend looks at her incredulously, she says, “When I don’t have my glasses on, I’m gorgeous!”

I stifle a giggle. I wonder if that’s what Allie and I will be like some day. I sure hope she stays in Elk Lake so we can find out.

Luke and I keep busy for the next hour and a half. I seat customers and get them water and he helps bus and reset tables when people leave. When Chloe and her friends get up, she comes over to us and says, “Thank you both so much. I know I haven’t been very nice to either of you and I’m sorry.”

“It’s stressful being a teenager,” I tell her. “I’m glad you got to make a nice memory with your friends.”

“After my shift, we’re meeting over at Meghan’s house to hang out. I don’t know why we didn’t think of this on our own.”

“Sometimes we need the help of our elders.” I cannot believe I’m referring to myself in such a way, but there it is. Chloe probably already thinks I’m forty years old.

I catch Luke’s eye from across the room and motion to a free table by the window. He grabs two sodas and meets me there. “I’m starving.”

“I’m a little hungry, too,” I tell him. As soon as we’re seated, I confess, “I wasn’t going to have a burger because I didn’t want to drip anything on my sweater, but I’ve changed my mind.”

“Why would you wear something to supper that you couldn’tget dirty?”Ah, the sweet naïveté of a man who doesn’t know he’s being stalked with romantic intent.

“I don’t get to dress up very often, and I like to,” I tell him plainly.

“There aren’t many places to dress up in Elk Lake,” he agrees. “Unless you’re a member of the country club.”

“I’m not,” I assure him. “Which is why I put some effort into tonight.”

“Prom night.” He says this in such a way that I can’t help but wonder if he’s recalling some of my drunken ramblings from his first night here. I wish I could remember exactly what happened, but maybe I’m better off not knowing.

I put my napkin in my lap before picking up my menu. “I thought prom happened later in the month.”

“They move it around based on how well the basketball season is going. If we’re in the playoffs, it’s later in the month.”

“So I’m guessing we don’t have a great team this year,” I deduce.

He laughs. “That would appear to be the case.”

Luke writes down our dinner order and puts it in the window before coming back to the table. I don’t know where he got them but he’s carrying a bottle of champagne and two glasses. “What do you say we celebrate prom night in style?”

My stomach flutters with excitement.

“You can tell me all about your proms,” he says.

“That’ll be a short conversation,” I tell him. “I didn’t go to either.”

“I’m sorry.” It sounds like he’s pitying me.

“Don’t be. I had my dreams and sometimes that’s enough.”

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