Page 16 of Without a Doubt

The restaurant is part of a strip of stores. There aren't but a few cars scattered across the lot. No one appears to be in Sub Grub though, since it is almost closing time. From my truck, I don't see Eva. She may be in the back. I get out of my truck, lock the doors, and walk inside. The door makes a jingle sound thanks to a bell hanging on it.

Eva pops up from behind the counter, where she had been kneeling apparently. A smile quickly lights her face when she sees me.

“Hey. What are you doing here?”

“I wanted some grub.” She laughs, and I add, “And I wanted to see you.”

“Aw, aren't you sweet.”

“Has it been busy?” I ask as I look over the menu hanging on the wall behind her.

“Not too bad. How was work?”

“Nothing to brag about. What's your favorite?”

Eva puts on a pair of gloves. “I like the steak and cheese. Want me to fix you that?”

I nod. “Just like you would eat it.” She raises an eyebrow in surprise, but gets started. “So, this Saturday morning, do you have any plans?”

“Should I guess that I'm hanging out with you?” She pops the sub into the toaster oven.

“That would be correct.” I grin.

“What time are you picking me up?” she asks as it beeps and she takes it out. I watch as she squirts ranch on it, and then adds cucumber, lettuce, spinach, and onions.

“Eight o'clock.”

“That's pretty early. What are we going to be doing?” Eva wraps it up, picks up a bag of plain chips, and places them both in a bag.

“You like surprises; why would I spoil it for you?” She grins. “Do you want me to stay while you close up?”

“You don't have to. I'm sure you're ready to eat and go home to relax.” She rings me up and I hand her some cash. “How about a kiss instead?” She sets her hands on the counter, leaning forward with a smile.

“You want my kiss instead of my time? You've hurt my feelings, Eva.”

She rolls her eyes. “Well, consider us even since you hurt my feelings with our first encounter. Give me a kiss and go home, so I can get out of here.”

I close the distance between us to press my lips to hers. There is a certain satisfaction that comes with kissing her, especially since she told me to do so. On

e kiss makes me want to pull her across the counter so I can feel more of her. Eva pulls away before I can do anything about it.

“Saturday, eight A.M. sharp?”

“Yep,” I confirm.

“I can't wait.” She grins.

Neither can I. The anticipation of seeing Eva again is one reason why the rest of the week passes by so fast. Well, almost. Friday night, I'm playing a video game and using the Internet to play with Glen. I'm wearing my headset so we can talk. It's been a little awkward between us because of Eva. When I brought up taking her out the first time, I wasn't expecting his first question to be about Kelly.

We were roommates and I was struggling with my situation with Kelly. He could tell something was bugging me, so one day, he asked what my problem was. I told him. Glen seemed as thrown as I was about what Kelly asked of me. He thought it was weird, that something wasn't quite right about it.

I agreed.

After that, I told him updates on what wasn't happening between us. I haven't talked about her in a while though.

I don't know why I was surprised when he asked me about her after learning I had gone out with Eva. He wanted to know if I'd spoken to her lately, if I'd tried to get up with her. I told him the truth—I haven't. That was pretty much it. Even so, I can tell there's a touch of hesitation, of skepticism, in his eyes whenever Eva comes up in conversation. He isn't completely on board with anything between us. He doesn't have to say it for me to know it.

Tonight, it seems as if he wants to know more.

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