Page 42 of Falling for You
The pair walked into the back of the kitchen, and CeCe froze when she saw the sight in front of her. The rear wall was covered in papers and Post-it Notes. Each sheet of paper covered a different part of the competition, from the logistics of the day to the prep plans. Her eyes practically glazed over with all the details in print. They had a lot of work to do, and suddenly Eric’s petty text message was the least of CeCe’s cares.
“Good morning.” Evan came up behind her and bumped her elbow as he passed with a tray of bacon. Max raised a spatula in greeting from his post by the grill. Helen rolled her eyes at the group and went back out into the dining room, her prep work waiting for her. That was one of the reasons CeCe adored the older woman; she was all bark and no bite when there was work to do.
“Good morning,” CeCe replied as she hooked her purse on the wall and washed her hands. “I see we’re in full competition mode.”
Max barked out a laugh and flipped a row of sausage links. The heavenly sweet, savory aroma made CeCe’s mouth water. She really should have eaten breakfast before she left home. “I think we’re the cause for Helen picking up smoking again. She said if I mention the word ‘logistics’ again she’ll hand in her notice.”
Evan put down his tray and wiped his brow with the back of his hand. “Nah, Helen’s all talk. She’ll bury us all.”
“God willing,” Helen chimed in as she walked back into the kitchen for her order pad and apron. “Look alive. We open in five.”
CeCe got behind the counter and started lining up plates and bowls. “Sorry I’m late. Natalie came over, and I guess I lost track of time.”
Glancing over to see Evan, he winked and gave her a look that made her toes curl. “No worries. Is everything all right?”Was everything all right? CeCe wasn’t sure, which is why she clamped her mouth shut and merely nodded.
“You two have anything planned after your shifts?” Max asked over his shoulder.
CeCe looked at Evan, who held his hands in the air, a sign of surrender. She realized they needed to tell Max that they were spending time together, that they weredating.
Before she could spiral into madness over the perfect way to explain the shift in their relationship, Evan answered for them. “I can’t speak for CeCe, but I have to work on the boutique website a bit. What’s up?”
“If it’s not too much trouble, I think we should pick up the food truck tonight or tomorrow. I’ll feel better knowing it’s taken care of.”
CeCe spoke without thinking. “I can pick it up tonight. No problem.”
“Can you drive stick?” Max asked, wiping his hands on a towel before tossing it over his shoulder. “I thought you only drove automatic?”
“Why is it a stick shift? What’s the world coming to?”
Evan, always the helper, jumped to the rescue. “I can drive stick. If you don’t mind me leaving an hour early to write some code, I could be ready to pick it up before dinner.”
Max pointed at Evan with his spatula. “Sold. Thanks, man.”
“I’ll drive us out and follow you back. Otherwise, you’ll have to find a ride share, and that sounds expensive.”
Evan gave CeCe a thoughtful expression that warmed her heart. He looked at her like she hung the moon. “Thanks. That’d be nice.” In moments like these, she realized how genuine Evan was. He lacked the pretense and bravado that made Eric a household name. There was no polish, nothing fake. What you saw with Evan was what you got.
And CeCe liked what she saw.
*
Evan sat in the passengerseat of CeCe’s truck, his finger trailing a line of condensation on the window. He’d had a productive afternoon with the framework for the new website, and he reveled in the sense of accomplishment. His work at the diner was fast-paced and relatively simple. One of the best features at the diner was being done with work when they closed. What he got from web design allowed him to flex his creative muscle and delve into something more complicated, something he could control.
Realizing they hadn’t spoken in three songs, Evan glanced at CeCe. Her hair was still pinned back from a day at work, but a few blonde tendrils fell loose around her face. In the gleaming afternoon sun, she looked angelic, but he noticed she looked a little tense too. Her jaw was tight, and she seemed too focused on the flat country lane ahead of them.
Reaching out, he tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “You okay?” he asked, his words causing her to jolt in her seat.
“What? Yeah, sorry. Just thinking.”
“About what?”
Evan waited her out, knowing she’d tell him what was on her mind in her own time. That’s what he loved about her; she didn’t speak unless she had something to say. A lot of people found her brash, but Evan liked to think she didn’t show her softer side to just anyone. He hoped it meant she was comfortable with him, willing to open up more.
Finally, CeCe cleared her throat and started talking. “The competition and the diner.” She paused as she turned onto another road. Evan recognized the familiar turn and saw the truck ahead on the left. He could tell she wanted to talk more, and he hated that they were almost to their destination.
“Are you worried?” he asked as she pulled up behind the truck and turned off the engine. She nibbled on her lip a moment before meeting his gaze. Her eyes looked tired, and he felt his stomach tighten. “Something’s wrong. What’s going on?”
Just as CeCe opened her mouth, there was a knock on the window that made them both jump. “You two are right on time.” The truck’s seller waved and stepped back as the pair exited CeCe’s truck.
