Page 11 of The Moment Promised

“I know what you mean. So many people just go through the motions of the day.” He turns on his right turn signal, pointing directly to Pete’s.

He pulls into an empty parking spot next to my car.

“Let’s get my car after dinner. There’s no point in both of us driving there,” I tell him, thankful I remembered to bring my spare key.

“We’re having dinner here, love.” He puts the car in park and shuts off the engine.

“You want to eatherefor your birthday?” I am appalled, staring at Pete’s in front of me.

“Yes, Adeline. It’s the best pizza place in town. Why wouldn’t we eat here?”

“Finn, I know you’re a man of habit, but we could go somewherenice. I was going to take you to this place in Islamorada.”

“But this isourplace.” He unbuckles his seatbelt. I don’t budge. “Besides, I haven’t seen Pete in ages.” He unbuckles my seat belt for me.

I surrender with an obnoxiously loud sigh. “Don’t move.” I push my door open and step onto the same parking lot I was stranded in yesterday.

Of course, Finn doesn’t follow orders. He shuts the door behind him innocently walking with his hands in his pockets to the front of the car, where I stand.

“Dude, what part ofdon’t movedo you not understand?”

“I understood. I just didn’t care.” He shrugs.

“Get back in the car.” I cross my arms over my chest in attempt to be taken seriously.

“Why?” He lifts a brow.

“Because.”

“Becausewhy?”

“Please?” I batt my eyelashes.

“No.”

“I wanted to open the door for you and be all gentlewoman-like for your birthday, but you ruined it.” I throw my hands up. “You know what? You can make it up to me by holding the door on the way in, and then scooting my chair out for me,” I say, matter-of-factly.

“Yes, ma’am.” He puts his hands up in defense, eyeing me like I’ve lost my mind.

It’s a breezy night and my hair is blowing in every direction, so I pull it into a ponytail as we walk to the front door. Finn does as he is told and opens the door for me causing the bells at the top to jingle. I give him a nod of approval. The mouthwatering smell of pizza makes me feel like I just walked into an eight-hour shift.

“Well, if it isn’t my favorite employee and customer!” Pete says from across the restaurant. He makes his way to us. “You want the usual?”

“Of course,” Finn answers.

We rode our bikes here almost every day as kids. Pete stopped making us pay for our food years ago, saying he sees us as family.

He never had any kids, and his wife, Linda, passed away ten years ago, around the time we met. He should be retired, but I think he enjoys the social aspect of being here.

When I asked him for a job last year, he hired me on the spot. I couldn’t go to college hours away from my mom. She’d probably aspirate on her own vomit and go months without being found.

I could’ve done some online classes, but the thought really bummed me out. I wanted to go off to college like everyone else, I just didn’t have the luxury of a self-reliant parent.

“One large pizza, half meat-lovers half cheese, coming right up!” Pete starts toward the kitchen, but I interrupt.

“Pete!” I call after him. “How are the ducks behaving?” I ask, already knowing the answer. He talks about his pet ducks every time I come in for a shift. Finn and I got them for him last Christmas.

My coworker, Ava, puts two glasses of water in front of us.

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