Page 38 of Everything I Crave

Luckily, he pulls into a parking lot. “Really? The diner? This is your big plan to woo me? You know I dated singers in Nashville, right?” I tease.

I was never actually into the big fancy dates set up by managers. We looked good in the tabloids; we’d arrive, and not talk the rest of the night until we left and they needed me to look good again. But the tabloids make everything look glamorous.

“Yea, look how well that worked out for you.”

Asshole. Now I’m not telling him that I prefer these dates to those fancy ones.

He swings out of his truck and jogs over to open my door.

Now you want to be a gentleman?

Grabbing my hand in his, we walk into the diner. A public declaration if I've ever seen one in Lupine Valley.

“Hey, Walter!” Gunnar yells to the owner of the general store sitting at the counter. Walter is married to Mrs. Smith, the queen of gossip and Colton's partner in crime. I’ve successfully avoided the general store until now to avoid being the center of gossip, or at least hearing it about myself. I'm honestly shocked that Colton hasn't filled Mrs. Smith in.

“Gunnar! Good to see you on a Friday night. You’re not working?”

“Nope, taking this pretty little thing out for a night on the town.” He smirks at me before looking back to Walter. “Darlene, alright if we head out to the deck?”

“Sure thing, I’ll be out in a minute,” she calls before heading back to the brick pizza oven that seems to be new in town.

So much for not being the center of the gossip.

“You know there’s an entrance on the patio, we could have avoided that public display.” I point to the gate.

“Yea, but it wouldn’t have bothered you like that did. I mean you are used to the tabloids right? Aren’t Mr. and Mrs. Smith the closest thing Lupine Valley has?”

I narrow my eyes at him to let him know I’m annoyed but he just laughs at me. I should have known he would get payback for my comment in the car.

“So you want to tell me who is pissed off they got called in on a Friday night?” I ask.

“No one is going to be pissed off, they’re only pissed off when I take them off weekends. Friday night with the band is always a good night for tips.” He scowls at my insinuation that someone is pissed off working for him.

“Yea, don’t I know it. My pockets are going to be a lot lighter tomorrow.” I roll my eyes.

“Would you rather go back to work then? Madeline might be mad you’re taking her tips though.”

I grimace. Madeline and I do not get along. I don’t know why, but she’s had it out for me since I started. She is constantly giving me dirty looks and making my job harder.

“No, thanks. I’ll leave Madeline to you.”

“I know she's a little… territorial about the patio, but she’s a good waitress and the regulars haven’t complained yet.” He shrugs.

I can’t decide if Madeline is going to be happy she’s getting a Friday night on the patio alone, or pissed she has to do so much work alone. It’s really a toss up. Hopefully, Bennett isn’t too mad with me. He’s stuck with her tonight.

“What can I get you guys?” Darlene comes out to get our order. Gunnar orders a pizza with half andhalf toppings; one side with vegetables for me, and one side filled to the brim with meat for him.

When we’re done ordering, Walter comes to the table. “We haven’t seen you ‘round the store, Willow, the Missus sure would love to squeeze ya!”

“I know, I’ve been a little recluse since I got home, I’ll definitely come by and see her soon.”

He winks in my direction, knowing I’m in for the inquisition of a lifetime when I do finally go in. I’m sure the gossip is running wild. Mrs. Smith would be happy to get the correct gossip, straight from the source, and be the first to spread it.

I’m also sure that in the next five minutes, Mrs. Smith will put a sign on the store’s door and be over here to make sure she sets eyes on Gunnar and I. The thought makes me smile fondly of her and her nosiness. Just more when it’s about other people.

Our pizza arrives and we turn to small talk, continuing our game of twenty questions which is getting harder as time goes on. A smirk randomly crosses his face every now and then and it makes me wonder what the rest of the night holds.

Surprisingly when we finish, Mrs. Smith hasn’t come over yet, so we pay the check and almost dash out to the truck before we can get cornered with questions from anyone. Even though Gunnar suggests we walk over to the general store, I turn him down.

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