Page 19 of Creed

“Think about it, beautiful.”

She nods and puts my order in with the kitchen. She gets back to work as her tables fill back up with the lunch rush.

Now and then, she throws me quick glances, her eyes showing a mix of confusion, mistrust, and curiosity. I can see she’s trying to figure out if she wants to waste her time with me. I can’t blame her for doubting me. Our past is littered with secrets and half-truths. Betrayals that cut from both ends. Neither of us are innocent parties in the way we began or how we ended.

I watch her float between tables, chatting with customers, refilling coffee mugs and grabbing takeout orders from the kitchen window for customers waiting at the counter. Fuck me. I’ve missed her. Missed this sassy and gorgeous hellcat who can put a man in his place without batting an eyelash.

She’s beautiful.

I’m going to make her mine again.

After what feels like an eternity, she finally returns to my table with a plate overflowing with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, hash browns, and toast. The perfect choice to fill me up before I head out. Saves me from grabbing a bunch of junky snacks from the gas station that will only make me tired and moody.

“Enjoy,” she says curtly before walking away again, saving her pleasantries for her other tables. I don’t mind the attitude. Sparring with Lottie has always turned me on.

Digging into my meal gives me something to do besides watch her every move and overthinking everything that’s happening between us. Of course, over the years I’ve tried to forget her, but there’s always been a void that can only be filled by her.

After her mom passed, I never thought I’d see her again, but now she’s here. Living a town over from me. It’s got to be fate or some bullshit like that.

I walked away before. Ran is more like it. Not this time around.

As I finish my plate, I steal glances at her once again. She’s back to her tables, her ponytail bobbing with each hurried step she takes as she rushes to make sure everyone has what they need.

I should pay my tab and leave her to it, but I can’t. Not until she agrees to dinner or at least gives me her number. Not that I can’t find it easy enough. There’s not many people named Charlotte Rae Pierce in the area that’s the same age as her.

I decide to wait for the rush to subside before bringing up dinner once more. Maybe Lottie wants nothing to do with me. Maybe she’s moved on, but my heart still beats for her. Even after all these years. I know what I’ve been missing and what I want.

Her.

Always Lottie.

When the crowd thins once more, she appears by my table again, a forced smile on her face.

“Can I get you anything else?”

“Your number.”

Her smile wavers at that. She glances around nervously.

“I don't have time for this,” she hisses. “I have work to do.”

“Make time,” I insist, looking directly into her eyes.

“God. You’re so stubborn.”

“Digits, babe. Write’m down.”

“Ugh.” She complains but does as she’s told. She writes her number on a ticket and rips it off the pad.

“Better not be a fake.”

“Guess you’ll have to trust me.”

“Right.” I pay my tab and get on the road.

Chapter Seven

“Was that dude your boyfriend or something?” Chris asks from the back exit where he’s hanging his head out the door to take a quick smoke break.

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