Page 29 of Love Over Easy

* * *

Over the next two weeks, my life is darn near perfect. I’ve never been this happy. The diner is set to open in two days. I’ve worked my butt off to have everything ready. The café has been scrubbed from top to bottom. The appliances have been checked over and fixed if needed. I spent an entire week working on a menu and I have many new friends. More than I’ve ever had in my life. Real friends, not the kind that are only nice because they want something.

With only picnic tables outside by the water, there is no indoor seating that requires wait staff. That’s the good thing about a walk-up café. A customer walks up to the window, orders, and then picks up their order at the next window.

I’m sticking to simple comfort foods. David and the Murphys have been helpful in being my taste testers. There is a regular beef burger on the menu, but there’s also more interesting items like a chunky lobster burger, crab cake burgers, and my personal favorite—a salmon burger. Each is served with a choice of homemade sweet potato chips, fresh fruit, or a side salad.

Living on an island where fishing boats dock has been a boon in having fresh seafood to work with. The rest I have sent over on the ferry. Or at least I hope so. Tomorrow is my first delivery. I’ll work all day at the new Sunset Café, prepping for the opening.

I never would have accomplished so much so quickly if it hadn’t been for the many volunteers I’ve had stepping up and doing anything from cutting grass to washing windows. Kimberly has been a huge help on the business end. I’ve never run a business before. She helped me each step of the way. The only thing I didn’t like was putting my real name on the legal paperwork for sanitation grades and the business license. If my father or brothers happen to run across it, then the jig is up, as they say.

“Are you sure you want to go tonight? I can call the boys and bow out,” David asks.

I laugh and look over at the pouting man driving. David has been trying to call off our night out for a week now. His guy friends are meeting up at the new bar in town, Brewster’s. Kimberly is having a book club meeting at the Inn for the girls. I’m excited to go, but nervous as well. I’ve met most of the women that will be there. Brandy, Suzie, and Melissa. They’ve helped out at the diner and I’ve even hired Melissa part-time. If things work out, I hope she’ll come on full-time. “I’m sure. I really want to go. Why don’t you want me to go tonight?”

He shifts in his seat and tugs on his collar. “It’s just… The book club meetings have a reputation.”

I want to laugh at the serious look on his face. “You’re kidding, right?”

“No, I’m not. I’ve been called out more than once when things have gotten out of hand.”

I sigh and my shoulders sag just a bit. Just like the night he “apprehended” me, David is in his protector mode. Secretly, I love it. I’ve never had someone care about me the way he does. On the other hand, I’ve never had anyone think I can’t take care of myself. It’s a strange feeling. I admit a bit of my truth to him. “I’ve never had a girlfriend. In fact, most of my life, girls haven’t liked me at all. I want these women as friends. At least, I’d like to see what it feels like. But if you don’t think I should go…”

David interrupts with a heavy sigh, “No. You should go. It’s just…” he pauses and reluctantly says, “If you feel uncomfortable, call me if you want to leave. I’m serious. These meetings can be—”

This time I interrupt him with a grin. I’ve heard about how wild these “meetings” can be. “David, I’ll be fine,” I reassure him with a hand on his arm. My core clenches from the warm touch of his skin.

Our eyes meet and hold. He feels it too. “What are you doing?” I ask as he leans over the truck’s console and puts a hand behind my head.

“Kissing you goodbye,” he says, a moment before he does just that.

By the time he pulls back, I’m dizzy from his thorough goodbye. It takes a few moments before I remember to open the door and get out.

I hear his chuckle before he puts the truck in reverse, turns around, and drives away.

* * *

An hour later, as I sit around the fire pit at the back of the Inn, with an incredible ocean view, I’m glad I came. It’s just before dark, the fire is crackling and popping, and the sound of the waves washing ashore sets a relaxing atmosphere. Adirondack chairs surround the fire with more than half filled with women. Some I’ve met before, some I just met tonight.

Kimberly sits to my left, Brandy to my right, with Suzie beside her. Across from me is Melissa and Jennifer. I just met her tonight, and then beside her is Sadie, whom I met at David’s office. Kimberly is currently telling about her fiancé, Bode, who took two couples out today on a fishing cruise. They were handsy with each other, which he found very Jerry Springer-ish. Then he found out they were swingers and they invited Bode and Kimberly to join them at their rental. Bode turned down their offer, which makes him a very smart man.

I’m wondering when the book club starts. So far there’s only been a lot of laughing and drinking and getting to know the newbies. That was Kimberly’s term, not mine. They’ve all been very nice and I’ve not once felt like I was on the outside looking in. Yet, it’s obvious I’m an outsider. I just don’t have the connection they do.

Kimberly and her friends have formed a tight-knit group. They have the type of relationship that’s solid and comfortable, formed from a friendship built over time. I feel out of place, yet hopeful I can earn a spot in the group. Even knowing I may have to leave soon, I still want to be one of them.

Tonight’s beverage is margaritas. I understand they have a theme drink at each meeting. I’ve never been a fan of alcohol. Mostly because I’ve always been in training. Maybe a glass of champagne to celebrate or a glass of wine at dinner.

Suzie talks about an order she received this week from a celebrity. She makes beach glass jewelry. I haven’t seen her designs, but what she has on is beautiful. I’ve never been a jewelry wearer. In my line of work, it’s impossible to wear any.

Wayne Johnson ordered a mermaid necklace and earring set for his daughter Jasmine. Suzie says that when she answered the call, she thought it was her husband pranking her. I don’t know if I could have a marriage like hers. Her husband works on the mainland and only comes home on the weekends. That seems like a lonely relationship, but it apparently works for them.

Brandy relates a dye job gone wrong at her beauty shop, the Cut N Curl. Mrs. Chaffee wanted to dye her totally silver hair blue. Brandy tried to talk her out of it, but couldn’t. She said Mrs. Chaffee was thrilled with the results, but Brandy said she looked like a smurf when she left.

Brandy is also married and her husband works as a chef on the mainland. She’s another one who only has an occasional husband. Maybe that’s why they have such a tight friendship. They have a lot in common and depend on each other when they’re struggling.

Melissa seems to be the quiet one of the group. But Kimberly calls her on it, asking what’s wrong. Melissa’s husband is a fisherman and is gone for long stretches of time. She’s basically a single woman with occasional booty calls. At least that’s the way she explains it. I pick up some negative vibes from her. Maybe she isn’t all that accepting of how her marriage has turned out.

Melissa is concerned about her husband. She says he’s not been himself the last few times he’s been home. He says he’s just tired, but she’s wondering if that was just an excuse. He didn’t even want to have sex with her. That seems like a red flag to me and I don’t know a thing about relationships.

---