Page 19 of The Summer Dare
Jared and I work seamlessly to remove the siding with precision and ease. Throughout the day he’s caught me up to speed with his brother and I’ve filled him in on the crappysituation about my job in Boston. We both agree that I’ve made the right decision.
As we’re finishing lunch, Jared stops eating mid-bite and gives me a funny look.
“What?” I ask, wondering if I have something on my face or something.
“There’s something different about you.”
What the hell is he talking about?
“You’ve been getting that dopey far-off look on your face—and I wasn’t born yesterday. What’s going on with you?”
Shrugging, I try to pull it off. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Jared cocks a brow and waits.
When I don’t dignify a response, he nods once then says, “Let’s try this again… who is she? I’ve worked with you for the past three summers and I’ve known you even longer than that. Either you’ve gotsomeoneon your mind, or you’re busy passing silent but deadly ones over there.” Then the asshole reaches into his pocket and hands over some TUMS. “Here, I think you may need these more than I do.”
What the actual fuck?
“No thanks, old man. My gut health is just fine.”
“Then what’s goin’ on?”
There’s no way in hell I’m talking with Jared about Lanie. First, it’s incredibly new. Who knows if it’ll last. So of course, I do what I can to evade the subject entirely by shrugging it off. “Can’t a guy just be in a good mood?”
Shaking his head, it’s obvious he doesn’t believe me, but thankfully he lets it go. “Okay… whatever you say, man. Are you ready to knock off this last side of the house?” With that our lunch break is officially over, and we bust ass to get as much done as we can before quitting time.
Freshly showered, I walk through the door of Pop’s. I’m looking forward to seeing the girl that hasn’t been far from my mind all day. The moment she spots me, her face lights up with the most beautiful smile and I’d be lying if that doesn’t make my chest swell. She closes the distance between us with a cheerful greeting, “Hey, Ryan.”
When she stops in front of me and hesitates, it takes everything in me not to lean in and kiss her. But she’s working, so I can’t. Instead, I ask, “How was your day?”
A light laugh escapes as she looks around the crowded bar. “Busy. But that’s how I like it. Have you eaten?”
“No, but if you’re hungry, I’d rather wait and eat with you.”
“I’m starving, but I’ve got about twenty more minutes before my shift is over. Can I get you something to drink while you wait?”
“A Coke sounds great. Wanna eat here or somewhere else?”
Looking around the room she shrugs. “Here is fine,” she says as she walks me to a booth nearby. “If you let me know what your order is, I’ll put both of ours in before I get off, so we don’t have to wait. I skipped lunch and I’m starving.”
“Why’d you do a thing like that?”
“I wasn’t hungry on my break because I’d eaten a big breakfast. I figured I’d grab something on my next one as I usually get another break during a lull. However, we’ve beenslammed since I returned, and obviously, that never happened.”
When another customer walks through the door, I quickly offer, “Don’t let me get in the way. I’m good just resting for a minute myself.”
She nods and flits to wait on the next customer. I find myself watching her move around the room until she goes to the back for something. That’s when I decide I’d rather not be a creeper. So, I pull out my phone and get up to date with my social media feeds as a distraction.
Eventually, she comes back with my Coke and takes my order. The moment she leaves, I make a mental note that our next date willnotbe here. Don’t get me wrong, this is a great place, but she deserves being catered to, not waiting on herself.
She proves my point when she eventually returns with two large plates piled with food. Instead of dropping them off at another table, she sets them on mine.
“Whew… I’m starving,” she mutters when she plops down across from me.
“Next time we go out, it’ll be a proper date,” I mutter, though I’m not sure if it’s a message for myself or a warning to her.
“Next time?” She raises a brow and a playful smile rolls across her lips. “What makes you so sure of yourself?” Then she shakes her head before tacking on, “And just how old are you? Who uses a word like proper?”
