Page 39 of You Can't Fight Lightning
“What can I get you?” The waitress was cheerful.
“Oh, she’s not staying.” Z answered before I said anything. “Unfortunately.”
The waitress looked at me, then at him. Then back at me with an Are-you-sure-you-really-want-to-leave look.
I let out a sigh, one that was a mixture of regret, relief, resignation. I couldn’t avoid this. I was tired of trying. “Actually, I think I’ll have something to eat. Do you have gyros today?”
“We do.” The waitress pulled out her notepad from her apron. “Everything on that?”
“Yes. With fries, please. Oh, and some water and a mocha latte.”
“You got it.” She finished writing, then looked at Z. “You doing all right?”
“Just more water, please, Beth.”
Oh. I felt kind of bad I hadn’t asked her name. I’d make it up to her with the tip.
“No problem.” She beamed at him, and then whirled away.
“So back to your reading. Have you changed your mind?” I really wanted to know.
“Yes. It’s…” He stopped, and looked off in the distance. “Romance novels are fascinating.”
“No, they’re wonderful. Because no matter what, you get a happy ending.”
“I like that, too.” Z smiled at me, and it felt as though the sun had come out just for me. “It never seems to be an easy road.”
“Isn’t that the truth?” My words fell out of my mouth.
“That was spoken with the voice of experience.”
I forced myself to laugh. “Z, no one gets to be our age without having a past. I’m sure you have one too.”
“Yes. Yes, I do.” The words came out slowly as though he didn’t really want to admit it.
Which made me wonder about his past.
Which was better than thinking about mine.
We sat together, chatting easily. When the waitress brought out our drinks, I got up and sat across from Z at his table.
“Are you sure? I’m fine if you need some more distance.” His words tumbled out as soon as the waitress left.
“I’m sure.” And I was.
My gyro came out, and we talked about books. Z was interested in what I’d read.
“Before this, I had more of a classical taste in books.”
“Which is all well and good, but there is so much more to read!” I waved my fork in the air. “Not just romance, although that’s my favorite. There’s also The Count of Monte Cristo. Have you read that?”
Z only shook his head.
“I have it. You can borrow it.”
“I don’t want today to end.” Z spoke suddenly. “We’re almost done eating, and I don’t want this to end, Roxy. This has been the best day I’ve had in a long time.”
“It’s just brunch.”
