Page 16 of That First Flight

“Damn, you’re good at remembering things.” His voice stops me from full blown tears while I’m here at work. I watch intently as his thick arms cross over his broad chest. “Is it because you’re that good or is it because I’m just unforgettable?”

I can’t help the child-like laughter that comes out of me.

But Flora interrupts me before I have a chance to answer his question.

“Sweets, can you meet me in the kitchen really quick?”

“Of course.”

I don’t miss the wink she shoots Oliver and I roll my eyes as I follow her into the back.

“I’m sorry, I was talking to him for so long. I didn’t mean to neglect the other customers,” I start before the door is even closed.

“I didn’t call you back here because you’re in trouble.” She moves to the order window and picks up the cheeseburger that he ordered. “Take this back to your friend and take twenty.”

“It’s busy tonight.” I grab the plate from her hand. “I can’t do that. I’m fine.”

“I insist.”

“But he’s notreallymy friend. I met him on the flight to New York. That’s all.” I nervously tuck one hand in my apron pocket as my gaze falls on the cheeseburger to avoid eye contact with her.

“You should make him your friend.” I look up and find her winking aggressively.

“Do you have a twitch in your eye tonight? What’s with all the winking?”

“He’s one fine lookingfriend, Macey. I’ve seen you chat with customers before. I’ve been watching you for months and no one has ever made you smile like that before.”

“I’m not smiling any different.”

“You are.”

Shit. She caught me.

There’s something about the way Oliver’s blue eyes sparkle and match his perfectly white teeth that shine with his goofy looking smile. It’s contagious, and within seconds I catch myself smiling goofily with him. He has an easy going personality that just makes everyone around him feel good.

“You’re doing it right now,” she prods.

“Maybe because this conversation is ridiculous. You know I don’t mix work with pleasure.”

She wiggles her eyebrows. “I bet that man would bring you somegreatpleasure.”

“Flora!!!” I gasp.

“What? I’m old, which means I’m experienced.”

I stick my free finger that isn’t holding a plated cheeseburger in my ear, “I don’t need to know that! You’re going to make my ears bleed.”

“Don’t be so dramatic.” She waves me off. “You need to pull your head out of those college textbooks you keep reading despitenotbeing in college and open your eyes to what’s out there for you. Plus, when fate deals you cards, you can’t sit back and try to fight it.”

Is that what this is? Fate?

“I’m not looking for anything like that though, Flora. You should already know I’m happy with it just being me and my daughter. Mackenzie is the only person I need in my life.”

“I know that. But I also know that you’re not happy.”

Her words cut through my heart like the sharpest kitchen blade.

I swallow the lump in my throat, and whisper, “I am.”

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