Page 18 of Unexpected

Instead of going straight for the burger, I picked up a sweet potato fry covered in freshly grated parmesan cheese and popped it into my mouth. Luke reached for his fries first as well, but instead of eating one, his hand disappeared under the table. I felt Sadie stir from her place up against my foot to grab the fry from his hand.

I chuckled and couldn’t wait any longer to try the burger. My first bite was too large, and juice squirted across the table in front of me. I didn’t have a moment to be embarrassed, though, because I was totally consumed by the delicious taste of the food.

Without my permission, a groan escaped my full mouth, and I barely had the willpower to keep my eyes from slipping closed. Luke stared at me intently with a lopsided smile and a full mouth while I lost myself in food bliss.

“Told you it was the best,” Luke said confidently.

“It’s so good,” I agreed. I decided that I didn’t mind his company when he wasn’t thoroughly pissing me off.

“Only the best for dog rescuers that are willing to kick anyone’s ass in the name of their neighbor’s dog.”

“Better not forget it. I will make good on my promise if need be.” Sadie put her head on my thigh and innocently begged for any of my table scraps. I gave in and let her have a sweet potato fry. Not that I needed them all anyway. “And next time—which I hope there isn’t, by the way—I’ll yell at Josh, too, if Sadie gets out.”

Luke laughed again, and I thought it was a good laugh. Not too loud or boisterous, but just enough to let the person know that he appreciated whatever they said.

“I appreciate that, but Josh is a little sensitive. He probably wouldn’t take your constructive criticism very well. I think you should continue to file your grievances with me.”

I shook my head. “Fine by me.”

Conversation tapered off as we both enjoyed our food. I was in the perfect location—the back corner of the patio—to see everyone going in and out of the restaurant, along with every person on the patio. There were a few couples that appeared to be on dates, a young family with unruly children and an older couple sharing a burger and a milkshake. The older man was constantly doing things to make the woman—who I assumed was his wife—laugh. Each time she threw her head back or closed her eyes and shook her head at his nonsense, he glowed with pride.

“What do you say we start over?” Luke asked.

“We as in us?” I questioned, motioning between the two of us, startled by the sudden question.

“Yes, since we’re the only two people sitting at this table.” I didn’t appreciate his sarcasm, but I guess it was somewhat warranted. I rolled my eyes.

“Start over, how? Why?”

“We’ve been neighbors for years and you just learned today that I’m a vet. Don’t you think neighbors should at least know the basics of each other's lives? That way, when I come over to borrow an egg or two, maybe a cup of flour, it doesn’t seem so random or strange.”

“Do you plan on baking lots of cakes in the future, Luke?” He eyed me like he didn’t appreciate my sarcasm. “What? It’s an honest question. I need to know, so I can keep an extra carton of eggs in the fridge. Make sure I have extra flour, too. Butter is also usually required for baking a cake, so I’ll make sure to buy an extra stick or two.”

He leaned back in his chair and scooted farther to the edge, pushing his empty basket closer to the center of the table. The sun was almost past the horizon and the streetlights, along with the lights around the restaurant, flicked on.

“I think you know what I mean.”

“Yeah,” I conceded, then shrugged. “So, let’s start over.”

NINE

Hazel

He stuckhis hand out across the table and said, “Hi, I’m Luke. I live next door.”

I giggled at his formality but took his hand anyway. “Hi, I’m Hazel.” I gave his hand a firm shake, but neither of us pulled away immediately. His hand enveloped mine completely and his calloused, worn palm was an interesting contradiction to my smooth hands. I wondered if he ever worked with his hands.

He was the first to finally, yet slowly, let go, and I followed his lead. “Tell me about yourself, Hazel.”

“Well,” I said, then stopped to think for a moment. “I’m twenty-seven, almost twenty-eight. I’m a technical writer for an engineering company, and I like to read and run in my free time. Your turn.”

He scrubbed his hand, the one that was just holding mine, over his jaw. “I’m thirty-one, and I’m a vet. I have a dog named Sadie, and my brother, Josh, lives with me.”

“I already knew all of that,” I argued. “You have to tell me something new.”

The waiter cleared our plates and Luke ordered us two more beers. I guess he was enjoying our dinner enough to want to extend it. Or he needed more alcohol if we were going to stay. Not that I cared.

“I already knew most of that stuff about you, too,” he countered.

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