Page 53 of Game, Set, MatchMaker

More of that life-wisdom I just applauded him for having. Okay, he’s right. I should try it without knowing every ingredient. It’s not that much of a risk, and it might actually be enjoyable.

Or… heavenly.

The warm, rich flavors of chicken, savory spices, and hearty potato warm my tastebuds.

“We make ’em here,” Parker says, as I reach for a second. “Local potatoes, hand-cut and deep fried. Locally-sourced chicken stock for the gravy. Even the cheese is from Pines Peak. It’s a Canadian dish. The border’s only fourteen miles away.”

“Now you actually sound like a server extraordinaire. You could’ve told me all that before.”

“Where’s the fun in that? I wanted you to try food from a ‘dive’, and enjoy a pleasant surprise. Good to let life surprise you once in a while, Gem.”

“Carly did describe this place as a dive, actually.”

He laughs. “I bet she did. She’s been in a few times. Not impressed. Probably because we don’t have a coat check, and there’s no valet parking.”

I laugh, too. “Oh, come on. She’s not stuck up.”

“She’s not used to simple stuff. Real gifts that aren’t wrapped in fancy packages.”

“Maybe you should write a self help book or something,” I tease, as I swivel around to check my surroundings. It feels like Christmas Eve in here, it’s so darn cozy. “She’s wrong about this place though. It’s really cute. Clean, vibrant, friendly, lots of character.”And crowded.“Hey, if you need to see to other customers, go for it. I don’t mean to monopolize you.”

“Nah.”

I laugh as I grab another fry. “You’re not shooting for employee of the month, I take it.”

“Delilah’s got it. She’ll clean up on tips, too, without me jumping in. I really just take up space back here. And these people are here all the time, they don’t expect instant service.You, though. You’re not here all the time. So I think I’m good, right here.”

“Okay…”

He reaches for one of my fries and eats it before I can put up a fuss about how he shouldn’t steal my food.

Not that I’m really mad. It’d just be an excuse to give him a hard time and keep his eyes on me.

Because I love that he’s paying this much attention to me.

Is that wrong?

Probably.

But I’m half a beer in, now, and these fries are sending me into some kind of food high. I got badly embarrassed today but I don't feel embarrassed any more. I feel safe. And happy. And… excited.

It’s the giddy feeling of anticipation that I never got, while waiting in that pristine, hushed hotel lobby for Mortimer.

I never felt one drop of anticipation there. No butterflies in my stomach, no flutter in my chest. No rushing feeling in my veins, or heat in my palms.

But now I have all of that, and it’s an incredible feeling.

Parker reaches for another fry. “So…? What are you gonna sing?”

“Nope,” I shake my head. “I’m sticking to my resolution of staying away from that mic.” Even though it is a little,tinybit tempting to take a turn.

Over by the stage, Annie’s wrapped up, and a portly man in a cowboy hat is making preparations to sing.

“Howdy, folks,” he says to the crowd as he untangles the wire on the mic Annie handed over to him. “Nice night we all go, here, ain’t it? This one goes out to my wife, Sara-Jeanne. Honey, you’re the love of my life. My light, my best friend, my rock.”

Music starts up.

“That is so sweet…” I whisper to Parker.

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