Page 24 of Challenged By You
“The last one was too small. I ordered a new one, but I haven’t been around to sign for it. Hopefully they’ll deliver it today before I go to work otherwise I’m sure it will be shipped back to the distributor. Again.” She scans the menu quickly before asking her children if they want pancakes, which is greeted with much enthusiasm.
Turning her attention to me, she asks, “What’s the second thing?”
“Tell me what you recommend. If I can’t share this little gem with anyone else, I want this to be an experience.” I hide a smile when Trina reaches over and pulls my menu away from me.
“Just no apples, right?”
“That’s my only stipulation,” I agree.
“Coffee?”
“If you have a heart beating in your chest.” Unconsciously, my eyes drift down to where her full breasts push out her light sweatshirt. I drag my eyes away and fiddle with my wrapped silverware. “I mean, please.”
Our waitress comes up with a pot of coffee. I quickly flip over my mug while Trina hands hers back over. “No, thank you,” she informs her politely. “I’ll stick with water. And could I get each of the children water in a covered to-go cup with a straw.”
“You got it. Are you folks ready to order?”
“Yes. He’ll take the gyro omelet platter. Hash browns, seasoned. Toast and ham,” Trina announces, making my mouth water.
The waitress grins even as she scribbles. “Good choice. And for you and your children?”
“The Breakfast Sampler for the three of us. If you could also bring two extra small plates, that would be appreciated. Eggs scrambled.”
“Got it.” The waitress collects the menus before disappearing.
“What did you just order? Because I thought I was merely hungry. Now, I’m starving.”
Trina only smiles mysteriously before saying, “Wait and see.”
“Okay, so part three.”
Her eyebrows wing upward. “This is a three-part favor? Wow, maybe I should have let you review the place.”
I throw my head back and laugh. “It may extend depending on how good the food is.”
Instead of answering me, Trina turns to Annie and says, “Jonas is very greedy. What should we do about that?”
“Stop Nono,” Annie tells me firmly, a crinkle forming between those sweet eyes.
“God, you’re going to have to lock her up when she’s a teenager.”
“For such an astute comment, I’ll help you. But that’s it. Once the food arrives, no more favors,” Trina barters.
I take a sip of some damn fine coffee and am hesitant to agree. “Okay, fine,” I give in reluctantly.
Trina holds up her hand to Annie and says, “That’s called negotiating, sweet pea. I’ll teach you more about that later in life.”
With a groan, I turn to the other male at our table, who’s presently using the unused creamer to make a tower before knocking them down. “I think I’ve been had, buddy.”
Chris merely grunts before turning his attention back to stacking all the creamer in one straight line. He pouts when they fall. I offer, “Can I help?”
He very definitely says, “Mine, Nono,” before gathering the creamer closer.
Trina’s droll “I think he’s going to grow up to be an architect, maybe a barista. Or possibly a dairy farmer. I still haven’t determined which” has me grinning.
“What about Annie?”
“I’m not sure yet. Possibly an activist. She loves provoking her brother at the oddest moments.” And proving her mother’s point, Annie reaches over and plucks one of the creams from Chris’s tower, causing them to all fall down. “Case in point,” Trina sighs as she firmly takes the creamer from Annie, hands it back to Chris, and scolds them both gently but firmly for acting up in public.
