She doesn’t linger this time, thankfully.
“Man,” Tess leans in and laughs, “I think she might spit in our food. You should agree to a date just to keep the botulism at bay.”
“I think I’ll risk the food poisoning. Sorry.”
Tess rolls her eyes. “Some protector. What’s the lumberjack special?”
“I’m protecting you from starvation right now.” I fake a serious tone as I say, “The lumberjack special is gingerbread pancakes, hashbrowns, thick cut bacon, eggs, and a cinnamon roll.”
“Oh damn. Sounds like you’re saving yourself from starvation too.” For the first time all night she holds a genuine grin, and it does me in.
Why the fuck does it affect me like this?Why the fuck do I want more.I never want more. I’m always the first one to run, and this time, I know how it plays out. I know she’s going back to the city. I know I’m going to jail. I know there’s no world where a woman like Tess would ever want a man like me. And though she’s older than Brelynn, she’s still so young. Much too young to get serious about someone like me. That said, I can’t stop myself from wanting to know more about her.
“You could stay another year,” I say the words in jest, though I mean them. “You can get the lumberjack special year round. It changes with the seasons, ya know. You can’t beat that kind of excitement… even in New York.”
She glares at me. “Yeah… but you can. There’s this bakery around the corner from the library where we’d have the biggest slices of cheesecake delivered at least once a week, and this bagel shop that was like, ugh, so good!” She shrugs. “No seasonal updates, though. No wait! At Christmas time the cheesecake does come with a green and red swirl on top. I guess that means that New York wins.”
I smile, though it’s tighter than before. “So you had all this great food, a great job, the perfect life… why leave? You’re a smart girl. No way you really gave up all that for some Hallmark fantasy.”
She shrugs, deflecting again. “Well, I did. So… guess I’m not that smart after all.”
The words have barely left her mouth when the lights flicker once more and the youngest of the two children in the family across from us grabs his throat and whimpers.
Shit!
The child’s mother screams and stands, spinning in circles, panic drawn onto her face as the kid leans forward, still gripping his throat.
I slide up from the table without thought and grip him from behind. “Easy,” I murmur. “You’re okay.” I give the boy a quick squeeze, sharp and practiced.
A cough rattles through him, then another, and suddenly a piece of candy shoots from his mouth, skittering across the linoleum.
The kid gasps, sucking in air, and his mother pulls him into her arms, tears streaking her cheeks. “Thank you,” she whispers, clutching him tight. “Oh my God. Thank you so much!”
I nod, stepping back, my pulse still hammering as the music from the jukebox floods back into the room.
Tess stands before me, face pale, her gaze locked on mine before the lights flicker a final time, plunging the diner into the shadows.
The storm howls against the glass and we’re in darkness, but I feel Tess’s eyes on mine, wide and searching, softer than before.
“You just saved him,” she says, nearly a whisper.
“Yeah,” I nod, “I guess I did.”
Chapter Five
Tess
“Sorry folks,” the cook says, stepping out from behind the kitchen with a grease covered apron tied to his waist. “Backup generator isn’t working. We’ve gotta close our doors for the night. If you’re trying to stay warm, I’d recommend the clinic. The doctor’s still in and they’ve got a few beds and blankets.”
The family with the child who nearly choked nods and heads outside as though that’s where they’re headed next. I’m not sure I’ll be doing the same. If there’s anything I hate worse than the cold, it’s a doctor’s office. I’m not sure why but the sterile rooms and quiet lobbies leave me with more anxiety than a kid being chased by a circus clown.
“You saved that kid’s life,” I say, my arm brushing against Cole’s as we step out into the piling snow. I think we’re headed for the general store given the direction we turn, though the wind has picked up since we made our way to the diner and I wouldn’t be surprised if everyone on the street is out of power.
“I dislodged a peppermint. Let’s not go crazy.”
“I’m not going crazy. His parents were panicking. You…reallysaved him.”
I don’t usually get so dramatic, but watching Cole jump into action with that kid has my entire body tingling and warm. I mean, he didn’t even hesitate.
