Page 32 of The Road to Finding Us

“Why don’t you run inside and get us a table?” Aspen offers, throwing Gladys into park.

We hadn’t been in the car for more than three hours when he started whining of hunger. We spent the better half of the day exploring Hot Springs, not getting on the road until after five at night. I wouldn’t admit this to his face—ever—but I actually enjoyed my day with him. We had fun. Things were easy, and the car ride to wherever we are right now was pretty painless as well.

Dare I say, I’m enjoying his company.

I climb out of the car, grab my purse from the back, and look to Aspen still seated in the driver’s seat. “You aren’t coming in?”

“I have to make a quick phone call, then I’ll be in. I’m also going to look for a nearby place to stay.” He slides his phone from his pocket, wiggling it in the air as proof.

“Gotcha,” I respond, before slamming the door and walking up to the quaint looking restaurant.

It’s made out of simple red brick, tucked deep into small hills off the highway. It looks like at one point there was a sign attached to the top of the building, but the words have long since been faded by the sun. A bell chimes above me as I walk through the front doors.

“Welcome, my name is Ed. How can I help you?” a charming old man says from across the café, hobbling his way over to me with a large grin.

I return his smile. “I just need a table for me and my friend. He’s outside, but he should be in soon.”

“My pleasure, darling.” He grabs two menus, leading me to a small booth in the corner. Tucking both hands into the pants of his trousers, he looks at me. “Now, what can I get you to drink?”

“Two waters, please.” I don’t know if Aspen will want something other than that, so I start there. I begin to look over the menu, assessing my options. My stomach growls impatiently as I try to decide what I might want. A few minutes into looking at the menu, Aspen strides in and slides into the booth across from me. “Have a good phone call?”

“It was actually great, thanks for asking.” His lips pull up in a playful smile.

Then, he reaches across the table and pulls my lip out from between my teeth. I hadn’t realized I was even biting it until he did the familiar gesture.

“I presume this is the friend?” Ed asks, setting down our waters. Once he’s done, he props an elbow over the top of Aspen’s part of the booth, patting Aspen on the shoulder after.

Aspen reaches out his hand and Ed takes it. “Yep, that would be me, Lily’s friend, Aspen.” He enunciates the word friend and winks at me. “I see you’ve already met Lily.”

“Lily,” Ed whispers. “What a beautiful name. Like the flower.”

I can feel the heat rushing to my cheeks and I immediately look down at my menu. I’ve always been pissed at my parents for naming Maverick after a badass movie character and me a delicate flower. Complete bullshit if you ask me.

“What can I get you kids to eat?”

Aspen looks over his menu for a few beats. “I’ll have the cheeseburger, and she’ll have the pancakes. Is there any way you could add chocolate chips to them, sir?”

“Of course. My wife would be happy to do so. I’ll get those right in.” Ed takes both menus from Aspen’s outstretched hand and walks away.

I pin my gaze on Aspen, raising my eyebrows. “What if I didn’t want the pancakes?”

“Please, Lily. You always want pancakes.” He brings his glass of water to his mouth, shaking his head. “Glad to see you’re as hardheaded as always.” His Adam’s apple bobs as he takes a drink.

“Always will be.” I smile at him, leaning back in the booth.

“Good. I wouldn’t want you any other way.” The last part is said quietly. Right after it leaves his mouth, he averts his eyes from mine.

As my mind ponders what he meant by that, I look around the restaurant to discover it’s a lot busier than I imagined it would be. “So, what’s the plan for tonight?” I ask.

“Well, Veronica is—”

“Veronica?” What does Veronica have to do with any of this?

His eyes widen for a split second before he shrugs it off. “I just meant I heard Veronica say there’s no rush for us to get there early. They’re handling things.”

My eyes narrow. He’s not telling me something. “Mmhmmm…” I stare at him inquisitively, trying to figure out what he isn’t telling me.

“So the plan,” Aspen begins, leaning forward and propping his elbows on the table, “is to find somewhere to stay nearby. It looked like there was an Airbnb close by that still had space available. Then we’ll hit the road again tomorrow. I’d love to stop in Nashville next.”

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