Page 15 of More Than a Good Friend

“So... what do you do?” It’s not a great conversation starter, but right now, it’s the best I’ve got.

He leans back in his chair and crosses his arms. “Feel the beauty of the world. Every day.”

“I meant work. What do you do for a living?” Asking this always leads to my mentioning that I’m a cleaning lady, which filters people pretty quick. Not everyone wants to date the help.

He laughs. “Necessary evil. A little of this and a little of that. Right now I’m doing food delivery until my online shop takes off. I sell crystals and essential oil blends. Good for the body and soul.”

“Interesting.”

The waitress walks up, saving me from having to dredge up more questions. “Here’s the appetizer and drinks. Are you ready to order?”

“Yes,” I say a bit too eagerly. “I’ll have the beef fajita nachos. Pico on the side.”

Louie squares his shoulders. “I’ll have the surf and turf. And I’d like to add a side salad. And extra beans and rice.”

“Very good. Will that be all?”

“Add a bowl of tortilla soup to that.” He pushes the menu to the edge of the table. “I think that’s enough.”

“I’ll put this order in right now.” The waitress hurries away, leaving me all alone with my date. Again.

He’s skinny as a twig, and I’m not sure how he’ll consume all that food. But based on the way he’s slurping down that ceviche, he might finish all that he ordered before I can eat a full plate of nachos.

He wipes his mouth, taking a breather between bites. “I figured we’d just split the bill down the middle. That good with you?”

“I think I’ll just pay for my own food.” Standing up for myself doesn’t come easy, but there is no way I’m covering half of all that he ordered. I’m beginning to think he dates just to stock his fridge with leftovers.

I sip my water and wait for my food, not bothering to start any meaningful conversation. My goal is to eat my meal, then head home. And if I weren’t so hungry, I’d change the order of those two things.

He shoves his empty plate toward the middle of the table. “You didn’t want any, did you?”

“No, I’m not really a fan.” And if I had been? Asking when the plate is empty seems a bit late.

He lays crossed arms on the table and leans forward. “Tell me about you. I want to hear your deepest desire.”

So much for not thinking about Dag on this date. Even when he’s not here, he’s in my thoughts.

“That’s not something I’m comfortable sharing on a first date.” I leave off the fact that there will not ever be a second for us.

He quirks one eyebrow. “Let me guess. You want to run bare and free on a beach. Sleep under the stars. And sing along while I play my ukelele.”

“Nope.” I must be unknowingly sending telepathic messages to the waitress because she appears at the table. “Food will be out in just a sec. Need more water?”

“Please.” The longer she’s at the table, the less I have to interact with this weirdo.

As she tops off my glass, another of the waitstaff walks up carrying a tray.

“Oh, here’s your stuff now.” The waitress—who is getting a fabulous tip from me—sets my plate in front of me, then tries to fit all Louie’s stuff close to him. “If y’all need anything else, just holler.”

Conversation is nonexistent while we eat.

By the time I’m halfway through my nachos, I’ve run out of room. Louie has tackled his soup and salad, but his entrée hasn’t been touched.

“Finished already?” He tugs his plate in front of him.

I smile as I scan for the waitress. “Full. But it was really good.”

“This has been fun. Maybe next weekend, we can go on a little trip. Get a hotel somewhere near the beach and make your dreams come true.” He tries to wink but blinks both eyes instead.

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