Page 10 of Some Kind of Forever
“I saw that last night on my search for bread. That place was packed. What can I get for you?”
I list the order sent to my phone and settle back into the stool. “I also wanted to apologize.”
“Apologize? For what?” she asks, back turned again as she prepares the drinks.
“For yesterday. I’m not usually that reserved…”
“I figured.” She faces me, and my eyes follow the path of her hand as she puts it on her hip. “Quiet guys don’t leave me their number in a tip jar.” Arching her eyebrow, she presses her tongue against the inside of her cheek, an adorable attempt to keep from smiling. I can tell she wants to, so I lay it on thick.
“Would you believe me if I said it was low blood sugar?” I ask.
“Are you diabetic?”
“No.”
“Hypoglycemic?”
I shake my head, smiling. “Nope.”
“Then nope.” She grins back politely and places the four small to-go cups in a drink carrier before sliding it over to me. “That’ll be $10.25.”
I slide my card to her and our fingers brush as she picks it up, leaving tingles where we touch. Her skin is so damn soft, and I notice the new color on her nails—a bold sky blue, my favorite. When she returns, she holds my card out to me, and I keep her gaze. Her hand hangs in the air with the plastic between her fingers, her eyebrows dipping like she’s trying to figure out why I won’t take back my card. But I have her attention, and that’s all I want right now.
“What I wrote on that business card yesterday…” I say.
“What about it?”
I bite the inside of my lip with a sigh and nod. “You managed to do it again.”
She takes a deep breath and looks away, eyes wide.
Mission accomplished.
Slipping the card out of her fingers, I wink asI say, “See you around,Patty.” I chuckle at her reaction and stroll out the door, coffee in hand. This diner is about to become my new favorite restaurant.
The receptionist chattersaway on the phone when I arrive at the front desk of the youth center. She holds a finger up to me before typing furiously at the keyboard in front of her. I smile and nod, recognizing the signal for what it is, and take in the large ocean mural on the wall behind her while I wait. The painting shows a panoramic view of Fort Bender’s landscape, rendering the ocean bluffs on the edge of the city, the shops downtown, and ending with the dense redwood forest on the other side.
The young woman greets me as she hangs up and points me down a long hallway to my left, opposite the squeaking noise of sneakers on vinyl coming from the gym. The shrill ringing of the phone next to her sets her in motion again, and I thank her as I turn to walk down the hall. When I stop at the doorway marked Conference, there’s only one person in the bright white recreation room—a small blond woman in cargo pants and a Bender Youth Center T-shirt, sorting through first aid materials.
“Claire?” I ask cautiously.
“Yes, that’s me,” she says, looking in my direction.
“I’m Chase. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Chase! Oh! Let me thank you again, in person, for helping us out last minute.” She steps closer and lowers her voice as she leans in, saying, “Since no one is here yet, I want to tell you that we were able to offer two campers a spot with your generous donation.”
“I’m glad I could help,” I say, flashing her a smile before looking around the room. I don’t want to be rude, but I really don’t want to put more attention on the money either.
A picture window taking up half of the wall frames Fort Bender’s beautiful landscape, showcasing the town in a way that is almost identical to the mural out front. The only difference is the wind adding an animated effect to the swaying trees and crashing tide. The view is even more amazing on this hill.
“Everyone else should start filing in soon, and we’ll get started,” Claire says as she digs into her supplies.
I turn back toward the smooth glass, walking closer to see the breathtaking view. Moody ocean waves lapping at the cliff’s edge whisper millions of years’ worth of wisdom toward the thousand-year-old redwoods. Paired with the gloomy sky, it all makes for an ethereal view. I really could get used to this place.
“I forget how different Bender looks from up here,” an energetic voice says next to me. “You can barely see Main Street. Hi! I’m Ashlie.”
“Chase.” I stick out my hand, and she shakes it. “Nice to meet you.”
