Page 41 of Make Me Whole
"What do you think?"
Before he could answer, the waitress appeared at our table. Her smile was big and friendly as she stood with her notepad at the ready. Bradley gave me a quick wink before he addressed her, "I'll have the omelet, and she'll take—" his eyes found mine again "—the waffles." His voice didn't hold a single ounce of uncertainty, still, I nodded my confirmation.
The waitress scribbled down our order; mouthing the words as she wrote them. "And to drink?"
Bradley answered first, "Coffee for me."
"I'll have the same, thanks," I said, when she looked my way. She tucked the pad and pen into the front of her apron before collecting our menus and disappearing again.
"I knew you were a sweet girl," he teased, as he relaxed into his seat.
"Says the big softie. Don't think I didn't notice how youoohedandaahedover all the baby photos today."
His laugh was easy. "In my defense, those babies were cute." Eyes narrowed, he pinned me with a serious stare. "I'll deny ever saying it, though."
A giggle broke free right as I drew a cross over my heart. "Your secret is safe with me."
"Good." He was back to studying me again. "Speaking of secrets..." The air got trapped inside my throat and my heart hammered away while I waited for him to finish his sentence. "The other night you mentioned you used to teach second grade, right?" When I nodded, he continued, "How come you're not doing it anymore?"
Ice-cold fear worked its way down my spine. This was the last thing I wanted to talk about. I wasn't blind, Bradley was beginning to look at me with interest and I was afraid if he knew my ugly, that interest would be replaced with disgust.
It was my turn to shift in my seat. I had to give him something, it would be more suspicious if I didn't. "I made a horrible mistake and lost my teaching certificate." There was no masking the shame or hurt in my voice.
His brows drew together, and I could practically see the wheels in his head turn. There was an unexpected softness in his gaze when he met mine again. "Is that mistake the reason you don't drink?"
My eyes darted to the door we'd walked through mere moments ago. Every cell in my body was screaming for me to push my seat back and run toward the big red exit sign. But I was tired of trying to outrun my past.
I swallowed hard, not once, but three times before I was able to speak. "Yes. I got a DUI and lost my job and license because of it." Oh, it was a lot more than that, however, that was all I could share.
With bated breath, I sat stock-still. Waiting for his features to change. For his nose to scrunch up with disdain. For his eyes to burn bright with disgust.
It never came.
Instead, he reached across the table and covered my hand with his. "Thank you for trusting me with your truth."
My throat clogged up and the backs of my eyes stung. Without knowing it, this man was breaking down my defenses and picking up my broken pieces.
