My only birthday wish is for Mikey to give me a chance.
Mikey pulls her bottom lip between her teeth, glancing at the clock on her dashboard. It’s almost four, so if the rain dies down in the next hour she’ll make it back to Salem before it gets too late.
“You’re right,” she agrees. Her stomach rumbles as if to punctuate her sentence.
“Come on, sweetheart. Let’s get you fed while we wait.” I get out of the truck before she can protest, smiling to myself when I hear her door slam. We rush in the back door and wipe our shoes on the doormat. Mikey swipes her damp bangs off her forehead, her lashes clumping with rain drops.
I want to kiss her so badly.
“Uh, this is my office.” I point to the red painted door then lead her down the hall. “Down there is the kitchen, but we’ll head out front and get a table.”
Right before we go through the swinging doors leading to the main area, Ruby appears holding a box and nearly crashes into me.
“It’s about damn time! Slater stopped by to tell me you might not be back because your van broke down. I told him if you didn’t get here tonight, I was calling that shop to tell?—”
“Ruby, this is Mikey.” I reach behind me and motion to her before Ruby can blab my secret. I plan on telling Mikey about my…issues,but I wanted her to warm up to me and open up before I scared her away. I don’t want her to think I’m some creepy stalker.
Either way, it needs to come from me, not my sister. Ruby bullied me into telling her in November before I left. She said if I’m going to try and woo a woman, I shouldn’t go empty handed, so she gave me the soup.
She was tickled pink over Mikey loving it.
Ruby’s hazel eyes shoot to mine, and her lips purse like she’s trying to keep a secret in. Then, they tip into a knowing grin, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Hi, Mikey. I’m Ruby, and I’msohappy to finally meet you. I’d shake your hand, but as you can see, mine are full at the moment.”
Mikey waves. “Nice to meet you, too.”
“Wow, S, you didn’t do her justice atall.She’s gorgeous.”
My cheeks flame. She may be Cupid’s Cove’s sweetheart, but she’s still my little sister, and she loves watching me squirm.
“Um, thank you. Y-you’re really pretty, too,” Mikey says a bit awkwardly. Is Ruby making her nervous? Or is it the compliments?
“Awe, thank you! I should get these eclairs in the fridge, but let me know what you want to eat, and I’ll whip it up for you. You just missed the lunch rush, so it’s not as packed in there.” Ruby gives Mikey another beaming smile before I let her pass and head to the kitchen.
“You and your sister look so similar,” Mikey whispers.
“You saying I’m pretty, sweetheart?” I toss her a wink, loving how her cheeks flush again.
“No,” she grumbles. Her stomach makes another groaning sound, and I would keep teasing her, but I want to get her fed first.
“Sure you’re not. Let’s go check out the menu.” I want to reach for her hand, lead her to the front and keep our fingers intertwined while she reads the menu. Instead, I ball my hands into fists and lead her to the main dining area.
Ruby was right about it not being as crowded, and I’m guessing the rain is keeping people in their hotel rooms instead of exploring the town. Hopefully this gloomy weather won’t be here tomorrow, otherwise we’ll have to move the festival indoors to the community center. While it would be fine, it wouldn’t have the same whimsical feel.
“Here’s our menu,” I motion to the chalk board, “and we have some premade sandwiches and salads if you’d rather have one of those.”
Mikey’s eyes bounce around the menu, then track to the prepackaged meals. “What’s your favorite?”
“The chicken caesar wrap is delicious. Ruby’s cutlets are the best, but my absolute favorite thing isn’t on the menu. Do you have any food allergies or aversions?”
“No…”
“Can I surprise you?”
“Are you going to be sad if I say no?”
“Devastated.”
She rolls her eyes, but I see a smile pull at her lips. “If you insist.”
