Page 27 of You Were Invited
“Ellie?”
“She’s the owner of the diner,” he reminded her. “Took it over from her parents. What do you suppose is the cooking equivalent of a green thumb?”
Annie laughed. “I don’t really know. Just good cooking intuition, I guess?”
They ate their meal together quietly, although it didn't last long. Julian polished his soup off in minutes.
"Thanks for sharing. That was great."
"I'm glad you liked it." Annie finished her soup and rinsed their bowls in the sink. With the water off and the drip still going, she stood with her hands on her hips again.
She looks awfully cute while she's deep in thought.
"Whatchu think's wrong with it?"
"My guess... a deteriorated washer."
"Okay. I'll let Molly and Peter know."
He felt a little deflated. "I'd be glad to fix it. It should be easy with the right parts."
She shook her head for a moment, then thought again. "Could you?"
He nodded. "I fix things in my dreams."
"Sounds like the mark of a good handyman."
"More like obsessive, but let's go with that."
It was still raining. Annie invited Julian to sit on the couch and watch sitcom reruns. Even by the time the sun was setting, the rain had not eased up. After a while, she opened a bag of chips, but that wasn't necessarily food.
I’d give anything for another bowl of chili, but I don’t wanna eat her out of house and home.
Even though he could have spent a few more hours in Annie’s company, he knew it was time to brave the rain. "I should probably head back over to my place. It's getting late."
“Okay.” Annie had some work she needed to catch up on. She offered to drive him home, but he passed. They went to the door and looked out. She wrinkled her nose. "Hope you don’t get drenched. Too bad the rain cut things short—I mean, not that hanging out inside wasn't fun, too..." She trailed off and looked away.
He had no idea what she’d been about to say. They hadn't talked much other than random remarks about the shows, but her company had felt friendly... almost familiar. He wondered if the fact that she knew very little about him made it easier for him to enjoy her company. No baggage. No knowledge of town lore.
"I had a good day, too," he said, putting his coat on. “Despite that pesky rain.”
She looked back at him and her cheeks dimpled. She nodded.
“I think we can finish up your wood situation tomorrow. Whenever you want me over, it's your call.”
"Ten okay?"
Julian nodded. "Ten it is. Rain or shine."
She gave him an amused look. “I agree to shine. Maybe not the rain. Oh! One second.”
He watched as she trotted over to the fridge. She stretched and grabbed something metallic off the top. She came back and handed him a flashlight. “Here.”
Yes, good thinking.
“Have a good night,” Annie said. Her mouth was turned up softly at the corners.
“You, too.”
