Page 31 of Make Mine Sweet
My next thought was to hop on my motorcycle and peel out of Sunshine at top speed. But since I don’t have a motorcycle anymore and haven’t ridden one since the crash, that option was out. Rumbling out of town in my old SUV didn’t sound nearly as satisfying.
So—burgers it is.
I’m sitting at the counter at Delish with a massive hamburger and tray of fries in front of me. I even ordered one of Amy’s signature marionberry milkshakes, which I don’t regret in the slightest.
I do regret how she’s watching me. She moves around the busy restaurant, taking orders and checking in with customers, but her gaze keeps coming back to me. Even when I’m focused on my food, I can feel it on me, prodding with unasked questions.
Maybe it’s because I’ve rarely been in here since I came to town.
Or maybe she read more in my face when I walked in than I meant to show.
Sometimes what someone’s feeling flashes like a neon sign in their expression. They can’t help it. Like the horrified look that slashed across Tess’s face when she caught sight of my prosthetic leg. At first, I’d thought her examination of my bare chest had some heat in it, but the longer she stared, the more it morphed into something like shock.
I’m past being horrified or depressed about my leg. Doesn’t mean I expect everyone else to treat it like a normal thing. And the look on Tess’s face hadn’t been close to normal. From what I’ve seen, her default is softness and gentleness, not mild panic.
The urge to push past her and run the rest of the way home had risen up inside me, but I’d held it down and stood my ground. Might as well get her reaction over and done with as fast as possible. And by the time she continued up the hill practically dragging August behind her,oversure felt like the best descriptor for whatever we had going.
I told myself I didn’t want any more cupcakes of mercy, right? This development should be a good thing. Even if it feels like the worst.
Amy leans on the counter across from me. “What else do you need?”
From the worried look in her eyes, I’m pretty sure she’s not talking about more ketchup.
“I’m good.” I don’t hold eye contact with her, though. She’s setting off on a deep dive into my psyche, and I don’t need to do anything that would help her along.
“How are things going with Tess?”
See? She got right to the tangled, messy heart of it.
I keep my focus on my fries as I dip them in sauce. “Fine.”
Except for the way Tess stared at me like she was truly seeing me for the first time. Like everything she thought or suspected or hoped about me rearranged in front of my eyes. Other than that, we’re great.
She waits, but if she’s holding out for more info about my neighbor, she won’t get it from me.
“Have you heard from your brothers lately?”
Now that one, I can answer. “Pierce and Bonnie are having a girl.”
Surprised he didn’t finish his rounds with that news.
“How adorable. I’ll have to call them. Should be in the next few weeks, right?”
“Something like that.” I go back to my meal.
“Will you go back to Colorado to see her?”
“Trying to get rid of me already?”
Amy smiles, but I probably deserve a slap across the face. She invited me to Sunshine in the first place. I didn’t know what to do with myself before she made that offer. The rent I give her doesn’t come close to what she could charge for my apartment, and I repay her by being distant and cold.
“If you want me out of here, I can go. You’ve done plenty for me?—”
She lays a hand on my arm, shutting me up. “We don’t want you to move out. I just wanted to know if you’re planning a trip back to meet your niece, that’s all.”
I know staying here is only a pitstop, but I’m not ready to figure out what to do next—and that includes visiting my brothers. They’ll put the pressure on to come home and rejoin the business, and I don’t know if I can do that yet.
I don’t know if I want to try. Not when so much of what I used to do is quite literally out of my reach. Some people with my amputation could, no question. But I’m not there.
