Page 20 of No Man Left Behind

Troy laughed. “I could totally see that’s what you were doing when I peeked in the back.”

Elina’s flush deepened, but she also laughed, so Marcus figured he didn’t have to kill Troy. Without another word, he ushered Elina out of the store. “Sorry about that.”

She smiled. “Nothing to be sorry for. I have no regrets.”

Her open smile proved her words, and he had to force himself to bank the urge to kiss her again, right there on the street.

“Do you want to go see your building first?”

Huh. He’d forgotten about the funding. The funding he’d been requesting, and thinking about every day for almost two years had finally come through, and he’d forgotten it because the kiss had taken all of his attention.

Even now, the thought of the funding wasn’t nearly as enticing as kissing Elina again. “Let’s eat first, then we’ll go. I’d like your input on how to best use the space.”

“I don’t think I’ll be much help.”

“You’ve got an artist’s eye. I can’t draw more than stick figures. I’m sure we’ll come at it from different perspectives, and that always helps.”

“Sounds like fun.”

He opened the diner door for her and waited for her reaction. Every new person to the diner had a reaction. The layout was a typical diner. Booths along the front and side. A long counter with stools.

It was in the decor and the scents that the No Fail Diner stood out. A huge Phail coat of arms decorated one wall. The booths and the stools were covered in matching blue and green tartan. Yet the scents that emanated from the kitchen were mostly Mexican, although Manuel could, and did, cook anything. Add in the cinnamon scent from Ginny’s baking, and it was an eclectic space.

Elina’s smile widened as she looked around. “This smells and looks wonderful. I love it.”

Behind the counter, Ginny looked up with a grin. “I’m glad to hear that. Welcome to the No Fail Diner. Marcus, I like your friend.”

He moved to Elina’s side. “Elina, this is Ginny Phail. Ginny, Elina Vasquez.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Elina. I’ve already heard you were in town. Small-town gossip at its best. Everyone has nothing but nice things to say.”

Elina’s eyes widened. “Wow. It’s nice to meet you as well.”

“Go ahead and grab a seat. Coffee or tea to start?”

He watched Elina’s gaze move to the chalkboard menu Ginny indicated.

“Chai tea, black, please.”

“On the way.”

Marcus led Elina to a booth and sat across from her. As always, he chose a seat with a view of the door. “The menu is on the chalkboard, but Manuel doesn’t mind making up almost anything. Everything is good.”

He watched her eyes widen again. “Shakshuka?”

Ginny arrived with their drinks in time to hear Elina. “Shakshuka is a Middle Eastern dish. Eggs, tomatoes, spices. It’s delicious.”

Elina smiled. “It’s one of my favorite things. I’ve been traveling across the country and haven’t seen it on the menu anywhere except Middle Eastern restaurants in large cities.”

“Manuel makes it with either a Mexican or Afghan flair. Which would you like?”

“Afghan, please.”

When Ginny looked at him, he nodded. “I’ll have the same.”

Once they were alone, Elina leaned forward. “How in the world did a diner in a small town with Scottish decor filled with Mexican spices add a Middle Eastern dish to its menu?”

He laughed. “When Manuel learned we’d all spent time overseas, he asked us about our favorite meals. He learned to make a bunch of them for us. We’ll get him to make up some Kabuli pulao for lunch one day.”

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