Page 12 of The Summer Dare
“Which floor?”
“Eighth.”
These are oddly specific questions.
Shaking her head with disbelief clearly written across her features she mutters, and I barely make out, “No way.”
“You gonna fill me in, or do you get a kick out of keeping me in the dark?”
Slowly she nods her head and exhales heavily. “I’m surprised our paths haven’t crossed.”
“Why’s that?”
“I lived on the tenth floor of Coleman freshman year—and I’m also starting my senior year at CRU this fall.”
Holy shit. It really is a small world. “How long has your nana had a place in Seaside?”
Eyes still wide, she covers her gaping mouth. “My entire life.”
Holy, shit. How have we not crossed paths?
“Did you visit often?”
Before she can respond a “Lanie… order’s up,” comes from the small kitchen window.
Glancing at the food, then back to me, she hesitates.
“Go. It’s not like I’m going anywhere. Besides, if you don’t put my order in soon, I’m not responsible if I hijack someone else’s while I wait.”
This makes her laugh. “Alright. Alright. I’m going. We wouldn’t want that now.”
With that, she turns and I’m left to wonder.How have I not met her before? There’s no way our paths crossed and I simply don’t remember her, right?
As if I’mon autopilot, I place Ryan’s order and deliver food to my patient customers. I check in on everyone in my section, all the while I can’t believe he’s been right under my nose the entire time.
Maybe you weren’t meant to meet yet?
Do I even believe in fate? I mean, Dad’s always drilled that we have to make our own fate, for as long as I can remember. But why are we only meeting now?
After dropping off Ryan’s beer, a few more tables fill and I get so busy, I don’t get to chat or even stop by his booth again until I’m dropping off his meal.
As I approach he yawns heavily and runs a hand down his face. But the moment I come into his view, his face morphs into a grin. “Wow, that smells delicious,” Ryan says as he pats his stomach. “I’m starving.”
“Thankfully no other patrons lost their meal in the process. That would’ve been disastrous.”
He chuckles as his eyes roll to the back of his head. “No kidding. Hangry is not pretty on me.” Taking a drink of his beer he sighs in appreciation. “Ahhh… this is good. You have no idea what you’re missing out on. Are you closing tonight?”
Shaking my head, I shrug. “I’m off at eight. I’m on the early shift tonight. Ben, the owner, had me come in to cover the lunch and dinner rush this week, to get me back in the swing of things.”
Cocking his head to the side he asks, “This isn’t your first summer?”
“Nope…. started last year. I love working for Ben and couldn’t wait for my three-week summer course to be over, so I could return.”
“Aren’t those summer courses like, all day long?”
A groan escapes my lips before I can stop myself. “Don’t remind me. I’m glad to get the class done, but all I did was eat, sleep, and study.”
Ryan’s lips tip at the edges like he’s holding back a smile. “Replace study with work—and you’ve just described my life at the moment.”
