Page 4 of Some Kind of Forever
My stomach rumbles again, and I’m flipping through the last of the menu pages when Patti returns. Only it isn’t Patti’s voice that says, “What can I get for you?”
The scent of spiced vanilla overtakes my senses as I look upinto the boldest jade-colored eyes I’ve ever seen. My jaw drops before I can catch myself, and warmth spreads through my cheeks. Straightening up in the booth, I kick Hunter and try to regain some composure.
“Bruh, kick me again…” he warns before looking at the new waitress.
“Um.” I clear my throat and pretend to look back at the menu.
“You’re not Patti…” Hunter says, interest piquing. He quirks an eyebrow and smiles, moving the phone to his pocket.
“Sure, I am,” New Patti says. She shifts on her feet and tips her head to the side. A few dark locs frame her deep bronze face, the rest pulled up into a swirled bun. “I’m Patty with aY. You met Patti with anIbefore,” she continues with a lilt of humor.
The sound of her voice is enough to set my heart pounding. It’s smooth and warm, and suddenly, my throat is dry, like I’ve never tasted water. I reach for my glass, unable to look away, and almost knock it over. Hunter flicks his eyes to the table, making sure I don’t need help with the cup. As I gulp for relief, I glance at the top of her apron. Sure enough,Pattyis spelled with aY.
“Stay here long enough and Pattie with anIEwill show up too. But you probably want to eat before the dinner rush, so…what can I get you?” She taps her pen on the rose gold ring on her thumb. The worn green polish on her short fingernails is nothing compared to the color in her eyes. She’s breathtaking, and it’s becoming more apparent that I’m staring. I look down at my menu again and take a deep breath, ready to order. My heart pounds in my ears, making it hard to hear my own thoughts.
“I’ll take the bacon cheeseburger, fries…and your name for my friend here.” Hunter smiles, ignoring another kick under the table. “Yourrealname. I’m Hunter, by the way.”
Patty puts a hand on her hip. “I’m Patty,” she insists, her smile slipping for a second. She turns to me and asks, “And you?”
“I-I’m Chase,” I stammer. People don’t generally make me nervous, but something about the cool confidence shecarries herself with has me in knots. She sends another smile my way, and my internal dashboard short circuits. I’m done for. Death by dazzling smile was unexpected, but what a way to go.
“I meant, what can I get for you?”
“Oh, hmm,” I hesitate, trying to buy the time my mouth needs to catch up to my thoughts. “I’ll take the chicken Caesar salad,” I manage to squeak out.
Patty nods and grabs both menus. “Anything else to drink? More water? I have a pump out back, directly from the Pacific if you need it,” she teases, gesturing to my mostly empty glass. I nod, trying to think of the wordsyes,please, orthank you, but none of them come to mind before she’s heading back to the counter to fill up a pitcher, shaking her head and laughing to herself.
“You good? Need a little pep talk? You know how great I am at talking to people.” The smart-ass smirk on Hunter’s face makes me shake my head.
My heart’s pounding is returning to its normal pace, and I chance a look behind the counter. I can’t help but notice the curve of her waist as Patty balances a tray full of plates on her hip, clearing the dishes left by Bert. I’m intrigued, enthralled, and I can’t look away. Another deep breath and I realize my fingers are tapping on my knee, exploding with the anxious energy I feel. She turns, looking back toward our booth, and damn it, I’m still staring.
CHAPTER THREE
KAYLA
Iturn around from clearing dishes to see the cute guy at the booth, staring with the same intensity as when I took his order. At least the Black guy, Hunter, made small talk. Mr. Tall, Blond, and Blue-Eyed didn’t even hint at a smile. Looking at him now, his hair isn’t all blond. An even mix of light brown breaks up the paler strands falling over his eyes in a way that makes me wonder, for a split second, how soft it would feel on my fingertips if I brushed it out of his face.
What the hell?
Maybe Ashlie’s right if I’m imagining running my hands through the hair of a perfect stranger. I shake the thought from my head, turning away from what’s-his-name.Chance? Chad?It doesn’t really matter. Summer vacationers only stay a few days here before heading to warmer, sandier California shores. These two, with their matching gray Gradford University shirts, seem like they’re just passing through. I’ll turn up the hospitality and suffer through the pleasantries, and then they’ll be on their way.
Balancing the tray of food on my upturned palm, I grab a water pitcher and head back to the booth. “Okay. Burger for the mighty Hunter,” I tease, passing his plate to him. “And a salad forthe tranquil gatherer.” I smirk at the blond. Hunter snorts a laugh, earning a smile from what’s-his-name.
“Chase,” he says, the smile remaining this time.
“Ah, that’s it!” I snap my fingers. “I knew it was something primitive.”
He’s staring again, but this time with a crooked grin plastered to his lips. The blue in his eyes gets deeper the longer I look at him, so I avert my attention down, landing on the spread of facial hair covering his chin. I swat away another thought of running my fingers down his jaw.Oh, he’s attractive, all right. And he probably knows it too.
Hunter clears his throat. “I was just telling Chase I’ve never met another Black person with green eyes, aside from the people in my family. It’s pretty rare.”
“Yeah.” I bob my head. I can’t go a day without someone interrupting me just to tell me about my own eyes. “I hear that a lot, actually. Enjoy your?—”
“Maybe you can help us out.” The words rush out of Chase like he’s been dying for a chance to speak.
“With what, exactly?”
“Hunter here is convinced Fort Bender has nothing fun to offer. That can’t be true.”
