Eloise picks a booth next to the window overlooking the ocean, sliding in close enough to press her nose to the glass. She only turns when she feels me sliding in next to her.
“Something wrong?”
She shakes her head. “No, I just… thought you were going on the other side.”
“But you’re over here,” I say, resting my hand on her knee. “And I like being where you are.”
Her face heats, but she doesn’t pull away from my touch. Instead, she grabs one of the paper menus sitting at the endof the table and places it between us so we can look over the options.
“See something you like?”
Eloise bites her lip, looking at me out of the corner of her eye. “Too many things. That’s the problem. I’m between the birthday cake pancakes and the apple-pie-stuffed French toast.”
“Get both, then. I’m paying.”
“I can’t! That’s so wasteful.” She crinkles her nose. “Andwaytoo much sugar for one person.”
I shrug. “Whatever you say.”
At that moment, our server comes over, wearing a pleasant smile despite the dark bags under her eyes. “Hi, guys! I’m Wendy, and I’ll be taking care of you. Do you need a couple more minutes?”
“I think we’re ready.” I give Eloise a sly glance. “I’ll have an extra-large stack of the birthday cake pancakes, and she’ll have your apple-pie-stuffed French toast, please. Extra syrup.”
Eloise gapes but doesn’t have the time to disagree. “Any drinks? Coffee, water, tea?”
“Two coffees,” I say. “One black, one with cream and sugar.”
“Sure thing.” She grins, and then she’s gone, leaving me with a narrowed-eyed Eloise.
“What?”
Her eyes squint further. “Really? You wanted the extra-large stack of birthday cake pancakes? With those abs?”
“I think I’m entitled to a treat every now and then.”And I want to give you everything you’ve ever wanted. Starting with sugary, dye-filled pancakes.
“Mm-hmm.” Eloise turns back to the window, but before she does, I catch the slightest hint of a smile. “Thank you, Riot.”
“For what?”
She gazes at me out of the corner of my eye. “For being nice to me.”
I’m not quite sure what to say to that, so I say nothing at all. The way she says it makes me think that kindness isn’t something Eloise experiences often—and that thought destroys me. How could someone so good, so kind, be treated with the exact opposite? How could this world be so cruel to a soul as beautiful as Eloise’s?
Instead of talking, we sit there in the booth for a while, enjoying each other's company in silence. It’s comforting, knowing I don’t have to fill the space with mindless chatter. Knowing I don’t have to perform for anyone, not even for myself.
I just hope she feels the same way too.
A few minutes later, Wendy comes back with our food and a large carafe of coffee. She fills our mugs, looking between us with a nostalgic glint in her misty eyes.
“How long have y'all been together?” Wendy asks.
Heat floods Eloise’s face as she lets out a small choking sound, and Wendy chuckles under her breath. “I don’t mean to pry. It’s good to see a young couple in love. It’s getting rarer and rarer these days.”
Eloise looks helplessly toward me, and I just grin, throwing my arm over her shoulders and pulling her closer. “I’ve lost track of how long. With her, time just flies.” I look deeply into Eloise’s eyes, hoping she sees the sincerity in mine. “All I know is it will never be enough.”
“You two are too cute,” she says. “Just wave if you need anythin’ else.”
“Thanks, Wendy.”
