Page 49 of Trophy
17
Two weeks later,Allison was carrying a tray of dirty plates she’d just cleared from a table when Jeanie came into the restaurant.
Since Rob had introduced them, Allison had talked to the other woman a few times about the craft fairs in the area, and today Jeanie was waving around a couple of sheets of paper as she approached.
“There’s a fair going on I just heard about. It’s just an hour away. You want to sign up?”
Switching the tray into both hands so she didn’t drop it, Allison tried to look at the papers Jeanie was still waving. “What date?”
“The eighteenth.”
“Sure, that would probably work. Thanks for thinking of me.”
“We can drive up together if you want. It’s really out in the boonies.”
Allison would have said Fielding was out in the middle of nowhere too, but that didn’t seem entirely polite. She wondered how much more isolated a town could get. “That sounds great. Let me confirm my schedule, but I think that should work out.”
Jeanie rambled on awhile, talking about the way the fair was set up and the kind of people it was likely to attract. As the other woman spoke, Allison glanced over to see Rob getting up from his stool at the counter.
He looked particularly scrumptious today in gray trousers that made his butt look very tight and a black shirt that hugged his broad shoulders. He met her eyes, his face perfectly serious as he gave her a little wink before he dropped his tip and the folded napkin next to his empty breakfast plate.
Allison was hard pressed not to smile like a sappy fool.
Flushing a little, she turned back to Jeanie, who fortunately hadn’t noticed her distraction. They talked for a few more minutes until a new couple walked in and Allison had to get back to work.
She was taking the tray back into the kitchen as Chelle wiped down the counter in her brisk manner. Chelle collected Rob’s plate and coffee mug and caught Allison’s eye as she picked up the tip, to indicate that she was getting it for Allison.
Allison appreciated the help clearing up, but she was worried that Chelle would throw away the napkin. Rob still left her little notes with the tip, and she didn’t want to miss it.
When she’d put the dirty dishes in the sink, she came out quickly to pour the newcomers coffee and give them their menus. Then she went over to Chelle, who was waiting for Gus to finish an order.
Chelle handed her a five-dollar bill, which was what Rob always left as a tip. It was almost 60 percent of the price of his meal, and Allison had told him several times that he didn’t have to tip her like that. He’d just blandly said that someone would notice if he stopped tipping like he normally did and they might suspect something was going on between them.
Allison knew he was a generous tipper with anyone who served him, so she kept telling herself it was no big deal. He wasn’t giving her money because he liked her.
The notes meant a lot more to her than the money, but Chelle didn’t hand her a napkin.
Trying to act casual, Allison glanced into the big trash can as she thanked Chelle.
“Were you looking for something else?” Chelle asked in slightly taunting tone.
Allison straightened up with a gasp, glancing down as Chelle pulled a folded napkin from her pocket.
Chelle laughed at her expression. “Now what could he possibly have said to you today?” She made a show of opening up the napkin to look, although she didn’t actually read the words.
Torn between laughter and embarrassment, Allison grabbed the napkin from her. “Give me that!”
Still cackling, Chelle let go of the note. “I’ve always wondered what he says to you.”
“It’s nothing,” Allison murmured. “Just silly things.” She looked down at the note and flushed a little as she read it.
I’ve got big plans for you tonight. R.
“I knew you two had a thing going,” Chelle said.
“No! We really don’t. It’s just?—”
“It’s definitely something. You think I don’t see how you look at each other?”
