Page 5 of Hard To Leave

“I’d love to stay here and chat with you, but duty calls,” I said and walked away to take care of my other customers. I’d never been more appreciative of a distraction in my life. He had me keyed up and acting foolish, and there was no reason to be because this conversation was a dead end. It wouldn’t lead to anywhere.

After a few more minutes of hustling around the diner and chatting with a few regulars, I glanced over and noticed Jack’s plate was almost empty. I couldn’t keep avoiding him.

He was finishing up a call when I approached his booth. “Can I get you anything else?”

He placed his hand over the receiver. “No, I’m good.” He winked. “Just the check, please.”

“Of course.” I found myself nodding through disappointment. It was probably for the best that he was leaving. Shooting down the offers from a few of the hot locals was easy; turning him down would be almost impossible.

I handed him his receipt, drawing a smiley face on his check like I did with all my customers.

He wiped his mouth off on the napkin, threw it on his plate, and reached for his wallet. He placed a $50 bill on the table. “I’ll get your change and be right back,” I said and started to turn away.

“No need, I’m all set. The rest is yours.”

My footsteps paused. “I can’t take this. This is too much.”

His lunch was only fifteen dollars.

He rose from the booth and took a couple strides, landing right in front of me. I could smell the light hint of his cologne. It wasn’t strong; it was just enough to want to make me inch closer and sniff it off him.

“Keep the change, sweetheart.”

Sweetheart? I ignored the way that endearment made me feel.

I held up the fifty-dollar bill. “I can’t accept this,” I said, standing taller, trying to match his tall frame. He was well over six feet, with wide shoulders that looked like he spent countless hours at the gym. I was a mere five foot four inches and twenty pounds overweight. I had a mom body, and he looked like he just stepped out ofMusclemagazine.

His mouth curved into a smile. “Don’t worry about it. Besides, you made me smile for the first time in weeks. I would say you’ve earned it.” And with that, he turned around and walked out of the café.

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