Page 12 of Cupid's Shot

We’re both smiling so much. I laugh. “Okay. I’ll return them.” I bite the inside of my cheek, trying to hide how much I’m loving talking with her. “You have little hands,” I say as we walk, hand in hand, to the restaurant.

She laughs, and I love how this moment feels right now. So simple and perfect and right. “You just have huge hands,” she flirts.

I chuckle, resisting the urge to make any comment about the innuendo. I think about how I could have made a simple move like this in high school to ask her out for a casual meal. I should have done it. But you can’t go back. You can only live in the moment. And right now, I’m taking my shot.

It took me far too long to have a normal level of confidence, and today, what I want is Sarah. Her laughter, her warmth, her presence—everything about this feels perfect.

Opening the door for her, we enter Cakes, a local diner known for their huge pancakes and being open twenty-four hours a day.

“Where do you want to sit?”

“A booth.”

“Because you’re afraid of being in public with me?” I tease.

“Because I don’t want half the town talking to us while we’re trying to get to know each other,” she sasses, then smiles.

I smirk, enjoying this moment. Sitting across from me, she says, “I’m still getting reacclimated to small town living. In Los Angeles, Seattle, and Portland, I was just a girl on the street. Versus here—where I’m Sarah Anderson, daughter of Bill and Kelly, owner of Main Street Maker’s Studio, Class of 2011.”

“You lived in Seattle and Portland? I didn’t know that.”

“You haven’t been keeping tabs on me on Facebook?” She arches her brow.

“I’m not on social media anymore.”

“Because?” She drags the question out.

“It’s so fake.”

“Isn’t that the truth.” She laughs, then looks down at the menu. “My posts used to be very much like ‘look at me, living the dream’ when really, I was hustling so hard to just get by,” shesays, not looking up. After a few moments of silence, she says, “I got priced out of all three cities, which is why I’m back here.”

“Do you regret it?” I ask, unsure of her tone. “Moving back?”

“Living out west was a great experience to have in my twenties, but living in Wisconsin is easier and calmer. The calm is nice.”

“I know what you mean. That’s why I like it here too.”

“So, have you ever lived anywhere else?”

“Just Lake Geneva, but I travel as much as possible. I love hiking and have been to Argentina and New Zealand, which are some of the best spots for it, and I’ve also backpacked around Europe a few times.”

She makes a little face, like she’s almost impressed with me. “I wasn’t expecting you to be so worldly.”

“Summers at the bar are very good to me. Chicago people are so mad at their money, and I’m happy to rake it in from Memorial Day to Labor Day each year.”

“This is my first off season with the studio, and it’s hard out there without those damn tourists.”

“We should order,” I say, pointing to the menu. “Brunch service ends in ten minutes.”

“Thanks! Yes.”

I wave over the server.

“Eggs Benedict and grapefruit juice for me.” Sarah smiles.

“A full stack of pancakes, extra whipped cream.”

Sarah laughs, and the server walks away.

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