“I’ve already taken up so much of your day.” I sigh deeply. “I’ll call my sister.”
“Ava, it’s fine. Like I said earlier, I really didn’t have any plans today.” He leans against the car. “I’m already here. Let me make things a little easier for you.”
Do I take him up on the offer or do I refuse like a normal polite person? It’s an internal tug of war. Ihatebeing an inconvenience on him. But I’d like to get out of here and sort out my transportation for the remainder of the week ASAP.
“Only if you let me buy you lunch so we’re even—assuming you haven’t had lunch.”
“I have, but I wouldn’t mind coffee and a dessert.”
“Deal.”
He flashes me a smile that would make me buy whatever toothpaste he was selling. I dry swallow. “Great. Dessert it is.”
The tow-truck driver quotes me a three-hour wait. I’m not happy about it, but it’s Sunday afternoon and I live in a small town. What are you going to do about it? While we wait, Fernando and I head across the street to Main Street Brews.
“Have you ever been here?” I ask as the hostess seats us in a boothnext to the window. It’s quiet, and only two other couples are occupying the adjoining booths. Soft piano music plays overhead.
“No, but I’ve driven by a few times. I usually grab my coffee at Norma’s on the way to work.” He cracks open a menu and studies it. “What’s your favorite thing to order?”
“This time of year, it’s definitely the pumpkin or pecan pie.”
“That good, huh?” He arches an eyebrow and glances over the top of the menu. “How would you compare it to what the Lucky Dog serves?”
“Um... I guess I’d say it’s a dead heat.”
Fernando chuckles. “I’ll have to let Tim know he’s got some competition.”
“How long has he worked at the diner?” I ask, wondering if what his friends do might give me a hint at what Fernando’s job is. He’s mentioned working with Gemma.
“I have no idea, but I can tell you it’s not his day job. Tim’s a middle-school teacher.”
“Oh.” Another theory out the door. Fernando seems to have a calm demeanor that’s great for being around kids, but he doesn’t strike me as the teaching type. Especially when he’s taking a month-long vacation. “Why was he working in a food truck if he’s a teacher?”
“Tim’s one of the Lucky Dog’s best customers. He’s good friends with the owner too. Last fall, the guy asked if he wanted to become an investor. He was thinking about expanding into the food truck scene.”
I blink. “And Tim said yes?”
Fernando nods. “Mm-hmm. Once the truck was bought, Tim got curious and wanted to see how it all worked. So he jumped in one weekend to help out.”
“And . . . he liked it?” I guess.
He nods again. “Thought it was a blast. Now he and Gemma work one weekend a month on the truck. Just for fun.”
“That’s too funny.”
He glances over the menu again. “Have you ever tried the apple pie here?” he asks.
“Yeah, but it’s been a while,” I admit.
He snaps the menu closed, eyes sparkling with mirth. “Then we should refresh your memory.” He drums his fingers against the table. “What if we order one of everything on the seasonal menu. That is if you don’t mind splitting them.”
“Sure.” I take a sip of water. Seeing all the pies in the display case when we walked in made my mouth water. I’m hungry and I have no shame. I’m totally willing to try some of everything. After all, pies are a much better lunch than the mac and cheese I was planning to make.
A waitress approaches us. “Hi. How y’all doing today? Can I get ya started with anything?”
“I’d like to try that apple cider latte.” Fernando hands back his menu. “And one of every pie on the seasonal menu.”
“And you, ma’am?”
