Page 51 of Since the Day We Kissed

Kara hesitated, then said, “You know what? I’ll just stick with some fries for now, thanks.”

“Hmm.” Ethan looked up from his menu. “Actually, I’m gonna try one of those Beyond Cheesesteak subs with fries, please.”

Kara perked up. “I had one yesterday. It was insanely good.” With a quick nod toward Phil, she added, “I’ll have the Beyond Cheesesteak too, but with extra banana peppers, please.”

Phil scribbled on his notepad, nodding. “You got it. Those things have been flying outta the kitchen lately.” He collected their menus and headed to the back.

Kara took a sip of her sweet tea as Ethan reached into his pocket.

“Um, so, there’s something I wanted to tell you,” he said.

Kara found her breath trapped in her throat, her heart racing. “Oh?”

“Well, I’ll be! If it isn’t the town’s favorite couple!” a familiar, shrill voice rang out.

Kara turned and plastered on a smile, her tone overly bright. “Ada! How’ve you been?”

Of course she’d be here.

Ada’s heavily mascaraed eyes darted between them like a spectator at a tennis match. “Oh, not nearly as good as you two lovebirds, I bet!” She turned to Ethan, patting his shoulder with a bejeweled hand. “And Ethan, honey, you’re as dashing as ever.” Her gaze swiveled to Kara, eyebrows raised suggestively. “Wouldn’t you agree, Kara?”

Heat crept up Kara’s neck. “Oh, um, actually Ada, we were in the middle of—”

“Oh, don’t you try to be coy with me!” Ada continued, cutting her off. “It’s so nice to see young people getting back together in Hadley Cove. Our very own Romeo and Juliet.”

Kara inwardly groaned, then opened her mouth, but nothing came out. There was no getting out of this now.

Ethan quirked an eyebrow and leaned in, “You know, Ada, I’m not sure about the Romeo and Juliet comparison. Didn’t end too well for them, if I recall.”

Kara stifled a snort.

Ada waved off Ethan’s comment, undeterred. “Oh, details, details. The point is, it’s just delightful to see you two together again.” She leaned in conspiratorially. “Say, have you heard about Lisa and Noah’s summer special at the Sandy Shores Inn? It’s all over the Facebook. Perfect for couples, you know. I could give Lisa a quick text, see if she can squeeze you in. Frank and I just adore it there. And don’t even get me started on their muffins—”

Phil’s voice cut through the chatter, making her jump. “Pardon me, Ada!” He skillfully maneuvered around her with two heaping plates. “Got some hungry customers here waiting on their dinner.”

“Oh! Of course, of course.” She shuffled to the side, eyes still fixed on Kara and Ethan. “Don’t let me keep you from your romantic dinner!”

Phil set the plates down. “Voila! Two Beyond Cheesesteaks, loaded with all the fixings, and a mountain of our world-famous fries. Bon appétit, you two!”

“Thanks, Phil,” Kara and Ethan chimed simultaneously. Their eyes met over the steaming plates, and they shared a small, amused smile at their synchronicity.

Ada beamed at them one last time. “Well, I’ll let you two lovebirds enjoy your meal in peace. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” She winked before finally retreating to the counter.

A silence settled between them as Ethan picked up his sub, but he paused, glancing at Kara with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Well, if we’re the town’s lovebirds, I guess we should at least give them a show, right?”

“Ethan, stop,” she laughed, swatting at his arm. “You’re terrible.”

He wiggled his eyebrows dramatically and leaned in slightly, lowering his voice as if they were about to be up to no good. “Terrible? I think you mean terribly charming.”

She picked up a fry from his plate, swatting the bridge of his nose with it. “Terribly something, all right.”

Ethan grinned, settling back in his seat, and then blinked. “Hey, that one was mine. Hear ye, hear ye, we have a fry thief.”

“What an accusation! I do not steal fries. I merely ... redistribute them for the greater good.”

“Ah, of course. Robin Hood of the diner booth.”

Kara popped one of his fries into her mouth, grinning. “See? This isn’t awkward at all.”

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