Page 1 of Damien
1
Damien
KnowingI have time before my first meeting, I pop into the diner to grab some breakfast. I’ve become a regular here over the past month or so, since taking the job as the site engineer for Columbia River University’s newest housing project. At first, I had chosen this place for its convenience, but the amazing food and friendly waitress has me coming back for more each week.
Taking my usual spot at the counter so I can leave the booths for other patrons, I reach for the menu and stop as my phone buzzes with an incoming text.
Mal: Meeting got changed to 9 to meet with CRU.
Well, that just freed up my morning as it’s only a little after six now. Sure, I’ve got plenty to do but knowing I’m no longer on a time constriction, I relax further into my seat and quickly tap out a response to thank her. Then I flag down the waitress rushing by to signal for a cup of coffee.
“Coming right up.” She places her last order then grabs a cup for me. As she sets it in front of me, she offers, “If you’re in a rush, I’ll put in an order for your usual.”
Already knowing the menu, I don’t bother to pick it up. “My meeting was just cancelled, so let’s change it up. I’ll order a stack of pancakes with a side of bacon.”
“Ohh… living dangerously.” Her hazel eyes dance, and her bright smile has my heart picking up the pace. “Are you sure you can handle it?”
“I think I can manage,” I say, patting my belly. “I might be getting soft in my old age… but I’m still able to pack it away, trust me.”
Is it bad that I absolutely love the way she blatantly checks me out?
As her eyes peruse me, I take this moment to do the same to her. Her dark-blond hair is pulled into a long ponytail, and it swishes behind her back as her brows furrow, and her perfectly pink lips purse, taking her new task seriously. Damn, she’s breathtaking. Sure, I’m only a few years older, but I don’t think at twenty-six, I’d be considered an old man by any means, but I’ll take this scrutiny any day if it means I have her full attention.
“Uh… I’d hardly say you’re old.”
“Well, I feel old in this town, now that I’m around college students again,” I admit.
Raising a perfectly sculpted eyebrow, Vanessa, as I learned from my first trip into the diner, punches a hip with her fist. “And just how long ago did you graduate,old man?”
Yep. It’s conversations like this that have me coming back each morning. She never fails to entertain. Even with her face free of makeup, she’s devastatingly gorgeous. But the thing is, from what little I’ve gotten to know about her, I’m not so sure she even knows.
But as those glorious hazel eyes continue to stare at me, I’m not able to contemplate this further. “Oh, just three years ago, but I didn’t graduate from here. I went to the University of Washington.”
“Oh… well, since you’re such an old man, maybe I should get you the senior menu instead next time you come in.”
“Well, I wouldn’t go that far,” I tease in return. “I’m not ready for the early bird specials or anything like that. But as I’m typically at work by seven, I do have an early bedtime these days… you know… adulting and all.”
“Yeah, adulting and all… I’m here before six every morning as you know, so I hardly stay up late myself. But I’ll admit I’m still a spring chicken compared to the likes of you. I get to attend classes so I can still work on that pesky degree so I can be a nurse when I grow up.”
A nurse, that’s interesting. She’s never divulged much personal information, so I’ll take what I can get.
Unfortunately, another customer comes in and grabs her attention, so I’m left to my own devices for the time being. She smiles apologetically, and I nod in understanding. She has a job to do, and I won’t get in her way. I watch her quickly grab two menus and greet the other customers without missing a beat. Her genuine kindness for people will take her far in nursing.
Instead of staring at her like a fool, I distract myself by taking a drink from my coffee. Lifting the mug to my lips, I distinctly remember my first encounter with Vanessa.
I’d stopped in the diner that first week I’d come to town. I’d willingly moved when my company offered me a promotion. As a civil engineer, I’d taken the lead on this project and became the onsite engineer for the entire project. I had nothing tying me down and saw this as the opportunity of a lifetime.
I’d heard from my personal assistant Malorie, or as she prefers to be called Mal, that this diner was the best in town. Apparently, the college students usually stick to their side of town, near campus. The place was busy with their early morning rush, and I literally took one of the last places at the counter.
I remember watching in awe as this woman carefully stacked more plates than I thought anyone could hold onto her arm and carried it to a party of five patrons, without missing a beat. I watched her greet each guest with a smile on her face and made them feel as if they were home or a part of her family. When I was lucky enough to have her wait on me, her dazzling smile and beautiful hazel eyes lured me in from her simple words. “Hi! I’m Vanessa. Are you new in town? I don’t think I’ve seen you around here before.”
Of course I told her my name, and she handed me a menu before excusing herself to give me time to look it over. But as she walked away, I couldn’t help but watch and notice her every move. She was busy that morning, so we didn’t get much of a chance to talk. She waited on me like any other patron, and I left eager to be on my way to work. But as I look back on the last few weeks, I’d be lying if I didn’t say she’s a reason I’ve quickly become a regular.
No. I’m not a pervert or a creepy stalker. There’s just something about Vanessa that’s intriguing. She’s wise beyond her years, yet is completely unaware of the attention she draws from the male customers in particular. Every once in a while, our eyes meet and linger a bit longer than usual, but then she shakes it off or is distracted with something, and I’m left wondering if it’s all in my head.
“Everything okay, Damien?” Vanessa’s sexy voice brings me out of my thoughts as she sets my pancakes and bacon in front of me.
“Uh… sure.” I shake my head to regain my thoughts. But my eyes linger on hers longer than necessary as I wonder if I’m the only one affected in this situation.
