Page 51 of Damien
“Go grab your helmet and bike. We’ll meet you out front.” Then she turns and whispers to me once we’re alone again, “Rain check?”
Like I’d ever turn down a kiss from the beautiful woman before me.
18
Vanessa
Three days later,I can’t stop thinking about my brazenness with Damien. Every chance I get, I am like a teenager with her first crush. I steal kiss after kiss, and Damien doesn’t seem to mind. I swear that man is like catnip or something. All he has to do is breathe in my direction, and I’ll gladly come running.
But reality strikes—especially when Julia hits her witching hour. Yeah, she’s been much worse, but when she starts getting hyper, I know my time with Damien has to end, so I can get her settled at a decent time for bed.
I’ve never been more thankful for my regular customers at the diner than I am this morning. I doubt I’d get many new orders right with the state of mind I’m currently living in. When Jeff hollers, “Order’s up,” I don’t even notice it’s mine until Tara nudges me.
“Uh, earth to Van. Come in, Van?” she says as she waves a hand in front of my face. When my eyes meet hers, she laughs. “Where the heck were you?”
“Right here.” I attempt to pull off but fail.
“Naw… she’s here in body, but her spirit is elsewhere,” Jack guffaws. “If I was a bettin’ man, I’d guess I know exactly where her mind is.”
Ignoring him, I pick up my order and deliver it to the couple it belongs to. Damien has an early meeting and won’t be stopping in today, but I can’t help but wish he’d walk through the doors. My shift drags on, and I can’t wait for it to end.
When I finally make my rounds to refill coffee, I end with Jack, knowing he’ll likely talk my ear off. “Anything else I can get for ya, Jack?” I ask, topping off his mug.
“I’m good, sweetheart. Where’s that fella of yours? I haven’t seen him around today.”
Sighing, I release a heavy breath. “Oh, he had an early meeting this morning. I’m sure he’ll be in tomorrow.”
“That makes sense,” Jack says on a sigh. “I remember the days before my wife and I were married. I’d hardly go a day without wanting to see her. Ah… to be young and in love again…”
Love. Did he say love?
“Aww, honey, shut that mouth of yours before you catch something in it. I’m not so much of an old fart that I can’t see what’s going on. But as you’re clearly not ready to hear any of that, I’ll just keep my opinions to myself for the time being.”
“Ha—that’ll be the day,” I chortle. That man will never keep his opinion to himself. And frankly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I’m just glad to see you smilin’,” he says as he sips on his coffee.
Just then, Sydney’s roommate Abby and her fiancé Drew enter the diner and draw my attention with “Morning, Van,” as she settles into a booth she and Drew typically sit at.
“Mornin’. Can I get you two some coffee?”
“Yes. Please.” Abby eagerly nods. “Finals are kicking my ass, and they don’t start until next week.”
“You’ll do great, Abs. We’re ready,” Drew assures her by reaching across the table to squeeze her hand. “We’re studying and doing all we can. Besides, we’re already accepted at John’s Hopkins—so the pressure’s off.”
“True. But you know I won’t settle for anything less than an A.”
“Trust me, I know,” Drew sighs.
“You want your usual?” I ask as I point at the menus still sitting in their slot near the wall.
Abby nods as Drew says, “Sure. Thanks again for hosting next weekend. Abby and I are looking forward to seeing our friends one last time before we take off.”
“Anytime. It should be fun. Though Syd’s in full planning mode, so I’m just along for the ride.” When another customer comes through the door, I offer, “Let me get your order in, and I’ll stop by when I can.”
“Thanks, Van,” Abby offers as I rush to the kitchen.
By the time my shift is over, I’m tired and ready for classes to be over. Tomorrow’s class is cancelled—my professor is out of town for a conference this weekend in Chicago. Lucky me, I practically have a three-day weekend. Since I traded my coworker a shift earlier this week, I don’t have to work at the diner until Monday.
