Page 39 of Two Weeks in Tahoe

Still, I can’t help but think of Liam and Jackson as I sit here, freezing my butt off. The way Jackson has warmed up to me so quickly, and how I’m becoming very fond of him. He’s turned out to be such a cool little dude. The way Liam is so fun and loving with him melts my heart. Then I think of that little blue truck, and I realize I still haven’t heard the story behind it and why it’s so important…I make a mental note to ask the next time I see them.

**

I end up jumping in a scorching hot shower, throwing an outfit together, and leaving the cabin. It’s too cold. I drive around for a while, checking out a couple places, but eventually end up in the parking lot of Dex’s restaurant, wondering if I should go inside or just drive home. I sit in my warm car for several minutes debating and soaking in the heat.

I decide to go inside.

There are only a few groups of people in the restaurant. Not too busy. Soft jazz music plays in the background, and the place smells like something savory and mouth-watering. I take a seat toward the end of the bar where it’s empty and look out at the water, lost in thought while I wait for someone to come by. I think about how dad would have loved it here. The view is incredible, and the vibe is very hometown, locally owned.

“Hi,” a soft, kind voice says, breaking me out of my reverie.

I turn toward the voice behind the bar. It’s the same server from the other night, but I can’t seem to remember her name, so I glance at her name tag: Carly.

“Hi,” I say, flashing a wide grin. Maybe too wide. I dial it back a little.

“Back again, huh? Can I get you a drink?”

“Actually, I think I’ll just grab a bite to eat.”

“Let me grab you a menu,” she replies, smiling.

She’s back in a flash and hands it to me. I decide to order the same appetizer that Liam and I shared the other night—bruschetta. It was incredible. I’ve thought about it several times since then.

I clear my throat. “So…have you worked here long?”

“Yeah…” she pauses, her gaze lingering on me, unsure. I can’t quite tell what’s running through her mind, but after a moment she continues, her tone a bit more relaxed now. Less guarded. “A few years. The hours are flexible, which is good for my daughter’s hectic schedule.”

“Oh, that’s nice. How old is she?” I ask.

“She’s nine. And already a huge ball of attitude.” She chuckles.

“That sounds like fun.”

“It is,” she replies, smiling. “So, how has your stay been so far? Are the people treating you nicely?”

“It’s great,” I say, nodding. But I leave it at that. I don’t want to share about Liam or the time we spent together. That feels like something special, like it’s just between the two of us for now. I suppose Daniela and Dex are clued into it too, but I don’t take Dex as the gossiping type.

Possibly sensing something in my tone, she responds, “Liam is a great guy, you know. He’s always helping people out around here, whether it’s sponsoring soccer teams or jumping someone’s car or buying way too many things from my daughter’s school fundraiser, he always seems to show up,” she says.

Maybe once upon a time, she felt something for him and wished for more, but I don’t sense any bitterness from her now. Carly seems like a genuine, kind person.

“I’m sensing that,” I note, returning the smile.

“Layla?” A loud male voice calls from down the bar. “What are you doing here all by yourself?”

I turn to find Dex grinning from ear to ear, walking over as soon as we make eye contact.

“Oh, just wanted to escape my frigid cabin for an hour or two. And I was hungry,” I say. “Are you always here working?”

“Well, kinda. This place is my life. And, you know, nothing better to do.” He shrugs. His tone is teasing but I catch a hint of sadness or something akin to it in his eyes.

“Well, I’m glad I ran into you,” I reply, smiling. I notice Carly has disappeared.

“Yeah, me too. So, where’s my guy Liam tonight? Home with Jackson?”

“At his parents’. Having dinner and picking him up.”

“Ah. You two have been spending a lot of time together?”

---