Page 17 of Damien
“But my situation is different…”
“Different in that you’re so out of practice with flirting, you don’t know your ass from your elbow when it comes to your best asset.”
What the fuck did she just say?
I burst out laughing. “Okay… Okay… I get it. I’ll say yes if he asks me again. Or at least let him know I’m interested if I happen to be busy… Is that better? Ass from my elbow? Really?”
“Dude… you know you have sexy elbows,” she teases.
Of course I take this opportunity to change the tables on her. “So, what about you… who have you been dating lately… oh, wise one?”
Margo’s eyes practically roll into the back of her head, but she drops the subject about Damien, for now.
She tells me about her latest experience of being set up on a blind date. We chat into the wee hours of the morning about anything and everything, the way we do whenever we get together. Knowing I’ll fully regret staying up this late but not caring at the same time. I hardly ever get time with my bestie, and I’m enjoying every minute of it that I can.
As I drift off to sleep that night, two things are clear on my mind.
One, I need to put myself out there more.
Two, how do I let Damien know he’s the one I’m interested in?
6
Damien
As I walk upto the door of the diner, nerves I haven’t felt in years hit me. Not seeing Vanessa since I royally fucked up has me on edge.Why wasn’t I clearer with my intentions?I’ll admit I came in both Saturday and Sunday morning, in hopes of finding her, but no such luck. God, how can I be such an idiot? I swear I used to have game. But maybe I’m out of practice? Who knows what the hell happened? Hopefully, I’ll have the chance to rectify this.
The diner is bustling with its usual morning crowd but luckily, there’s one open spot left at the counter.
“Morning, Jack, how’s it going?” I say to the elderly man I’ve come to know. Jack loves to keep me on my toes. He’s probably in his mid-seventies if I had to guess. He acts much younger, but when you get him going, he talks about his life before serving our country. He doesn’t talk about the specifics, but I know he served in the Vietnam War, has a wife who passed away a few years ago, and two sons who have given him four grandkids who visit him often.
I’ll never forget the time I finally got the courage to ask him his age. There was a twinkle in his eye as he looked around the room to see if anyone was watching. Then he slowly leaned in and whispered, “Can you keep a secret?”
“Of course,” I replied and waited for his response.
Then he quickly pulled back and barked out a laugh. “So can I.” The crowd around us laughed, and I have since learned that no one knows his age, and he plans to keep it that way until he dies.
I’m pulled out of my memory as Jack chuckles loud. “Oh, I’d say I’m doing all right. The heart’s still tickin’.”
“Well, that definitely beats the alternative.” I laugh. Darn, this man. I never know what he’ll say.
“You can say that again.” He rolls his eyes and stuffs his mouth full of pancake. But his eyes get distracted from something behind me, so I turn to see what’s suddenly captured his attention.
Vanessa’s bright smile seriously stops all train of thought. All I can do is stare into her gorgeous hazel eyes. Her hair is pulled back into a braid showing off her high cheekbones. Without a stitch of makeup, she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. Her clear skin looks soft and inviting to touch, and I’d do anything to kiss those perfect lips.
I’m startled when Jack bumps me as he mumbles quietly, “You’d better close your mouth before you catch a fly.”
And that’s my reality check. “Morning,” I say when I get my wits about me.
“Good morning, Damien. Can I get you some coffee?” she says, holding up the carafe expectantly.
Flipping the mug in front of me over, I nod. “Sounds great, thanks.”
She wastes no time in filling my cup. “Want your usual?”
I think over the menu, then nod in agreement. “Yeah. Eggs and bacon sound great.”
“Bacon goes with everything,” Jack inserts.
