Page 71 of The First Time
The next block takes us into the shade of a skyscraper. There are three food trucks parked at the curb and another three across the street.
The one in front of us is Vietnamese food, ban mi sandwiches and pho.
My stomach growls at the thought of a bowl of noodle soup.
"Beef pho and a Vietnamese iced coffee?" Kit asks.
I nod.
He points to a bench down the street. "Save our seats."
"Okay. Thanks in advance for lunch."
His brows screw then ease. "You're always polite."
"How else should I be?"
"No, it's good. Just different." He slides his leather jacket off his shoulders and nods to the bench.
I want to stay here with him, but I'd rather not eat standing up. I make my way to the concrete bench and take a seat. I lay his jacket in the spot next to me, that clearseat's takensign.
The sun is exacerbating my headache. It makes it hard to appreciate the beautiful blue sky. Usually, I love staring at the concrete mecca of downtown LA. Today, I'm more interested in my shoes.
They're canvas sneakers in pastel pink. They screaminnocent kid. But that's a lost cause.
I watch Kit from my seat on the bench. There's something cat-like about him. He gives offI don't need you or your attentionvibes.
Does he really believe that?
I get caught up contemplating the matter until Kit takes the seat next to me.
"Here." He hands me a water bottle.
"But—" I stare lovingly at the iced coffee placed behind him.
"I don't care if you beg. You're not getting that until you drink this."
"I could make quite a scene begging."
"Then do it."
I say nothing.
"Bluff called." He chuckles. "Drink your water."
I do. I drink the entire bottle in four gulps. "Thank you."
His eyes fix on mine. He says nothing about me being polite, simply hands me my iced coffee and the paper bag with my pho in it. He takes a sandwich from his paper bag and unwraps it. "You still look like shit."
"Because I haven't had this." I motion to my coffee then take a long sip. This time, the sweet, creamy flavor hits the spot. Perfect. I take another long sip.
He chuckles then leans back into his seat.
We eat in silence for a few minutes. It's easy, intimate. The noodle soup is perfect comfort food. His company makes it even better.
I'm halfway through my soup when Kit breaks the silence.
"I don't want to be a wet blanket, Piper." He turns towards me. "You're nineteen. You're in college. It's spring break. It's normal for you to have fun."
