Page 11 of Time for Change

“You’re with me today,” Caden states after loading the generator onto the trailer attached to his truck on Wednesday morning.

“Can’t wait,” I quip, climbing into the passenger seat of his work truck and buckling my seat belt.

“I’ll buy lunch, but I’m not putting out,” he states with a goofy grin as he starts the truck and heads for the exit of our small lot.

“You say that now, but you’ll be unable to resist my charms.”

Caden snorts a laugh, leaning back in his seat like he always does. I’ve never understood how moving your seat at more of a reclined position was comfortable while driving, but to each his own. I’ll keep mine upright. “We both know who the real charmer is here, and it’s not you.”

I don’t reply. There’s no point. He’s not wrong.

“The gas company confirmed they ran the line out to the concrete pad, so as long as there are no issues, this won’t take too long,” I say, praying there aren’t any. The plan is for me to take the inside of the house to start running the wires needed to hook up the new generator, while he gets everything prepped on the outside.

We pull along the street of the house we’ll be working at today and park. “I’m serious about lunch. I’ve been craving a big burger from Burgers and Brew.”

“Sounds good to me,” I agree, climbing out of the truck.

As I approach the front door, the homeowner greets us and welcomes me inside. The majority of my work is going tobe in the basement, so I make sure I have everything I need and head down to get started.

We work in unison throughout the morning and get everything run and hooked up that’s required. By the time we’re testing the new unit, it’s approaching lunchtime, and my stomach is starting to growl. It doesn’t help I keep thinking about a burger and fries from one of the best restaurants in town.

“Everything’s on point,” Caden states as we wait for the generator to power down from its test.

“Yep. I’ll go in and talk to the homeowner. You set the weekly test to run on Tuesdays, right?”

He nods. “Two o’clock.”

When everything is complete and the bill settled with the homeowner, we load the tools and supplies in the truck and head for downtown. I’m not sure who’s stomach is growling louder, mine or Caden’s, but I think we’re both pretty happy to see the sign for the restaurant. Since we have the trailer attached, we pull around the block and park in the back of the lot beside the dry cleaner. There’s plenty of space for their patrons, so it’s unlikely we’d be taking customer parking.

“Let’s go. I could eat the ass out of a rhino right about now,” Caden crudely announces, grabbing his keys and jumping out of the driver’s seat.

“Gross.”

He shrugs and sets a brisk pace around the corner to Burgers and Brew. I can tell he considers using the bar entrance because it’s closer but ends up moving to the door for the restaurant side. As he pulls open the heavy wooden door, soft music and the scent of fries drift magically from inside.

It takes a few seconds for my eyes to adjust from the bright January day to the dimmer lights of the establishment. Caden approaches the hostess station and checks in for a table. “Rightthis way,” the woman replies, grabbing two menus and moving down the large walkway between the section of tables and the row of booths. She stops in front of the last booth. “This, okay?”

Caden climbs into the bench on the far side and replies, “Perfect, thank you.”

“Your server will be right with you,” she states before walking away.

I take the empty bench across from him and reach for the menu. “I could probably eat two meals,” I mumble, scanning the burger options.

Caden grunts in agreement, looking over his own menu. “I don’t know why I look at this. I always get the same thing.”

Nodding, I continue to peruse the possibilities.

“Hey, guys, welcome. My name is Stevie, and I’ll be taking care of you today. Can I start you off with something to drink?”

The hairs on the back of my neck stand up as her rich, smooth voice washes over me, and I shiver involuntarily. Slowly, I turn my head and connect with the most alluring pair of brown eyes I’ve ever seen. They have me transfixed and completely mesmerized. It’s as if she’s a spider and I’m a helpless fly, suddenly trapped in her web despite how much I struggle. I can’t look away.

“Jack?”

I blink, the sound of my friend’s voice registering through the fog in my head. “What?”

He gives me a knowing grin and leans back in his seat. “She asked if you want a drink.” That fucking smile never waivers.

Asshole.

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