“I know. Molly has a way with a recipe,” he said, picking up his own cutlery. “But her buttered pecan cream waffles with caramel sauce are my favorite.”
Nova glanced at his plate, which was heaped with two thick, fluffy waffles in the shape of Texas. They were topped with candied, buttered pecan bits and rich ribbons of caramel sauce. It looked amazing.
“You gonna share?” she asked.
“Definitely. No way in hell I can eat all of this,” he replied.
In addition to his waffles, another plate had come out with two scrambled eggs that appeared to have cheese melted within and a stack of bacon.
“Molly wants to make sure I get a good meal when I come to her place.”
“I can see that,” Nova said, her face solemn.
“Now, who’s a smartass?”
She grinned at him and forked up a bite of her eggs. “Not me.”
When the food hit her mouth, flavor exploded on her tongue. The was more than just diner food. It was amazing.
She chewed slowly, enjoying the spice of the chorizo gravy, the tart bite of fried green tomato, and the salty edge from the ham. The biscuit was so light, it just seemed to melt in her mouth.
“Good?” Torin asked, his eyes on her.
Nova nodded, humming in the back of her throat. When she finished the bite and swallowed, she said, “If you don’t mind, I’d prefer to eat in silence. I’m having a religious experience.”
Torin grinned at her before he threw his head back and laughed. “I’ll be sure to tell Molly you consider her worthy of sainthood.”
“If she created food like this, she is,” Nova said, going back to cut another bite.
Thank God there were two eggs Benedict on her plate. It was likely she was going to eat every bite.
Thirty minutes later, they had finished their food and were drinking the last of their coffee. Nova was stuffed. Though she’d eaten every bit of her food, she’d also managed to steal a bite (or two) of Torin’s waffles and they were so good, she almost wished she was still hungry so she could order one.
“You can’t bring me here all the time,” she said to him as they got up to pay the bill. The cash register was at the counter and, when the cashier saw them coming, she shook her head.
“Torin, you know your aunt won’t let you pay.”
“Belinda, you know I’m going to, even if I have to come around the counter and cash myself out.”
The woman shook her head again, a smile tugging at her lips. Then, she yelled, “Molly! Your nephew’s trying to pay again!”
From the kitchen there was a crash. “No, he’s not!” Molly shouted back.
Torin didn’t yell, he just sighed and shrugged before he dropped two twenties in the tip jar by the cash register.
Belinda grinned at him. “Thank you kindly.”
“Keep her in line, will ya?” he said.
The other woman shrugged. “I do my best but she’s as stubborn as you are.”
Belinda turned her eyes to Nova and winked at her. “Have a good one. Hope you enjoyed your meal.”
“Oh, I did,” Nova said. “Probably too much. I’m stuffed.”
Belinda’s grin widened and her eyes sparkled. “Then, our work here is done.”
Torin reached down and took Nova’s hand before he pulled her toward the door, weaving carefully through the packed diner. It was nearly twelve-thirty and the restaurant was somehow even more full than it had been earlier. Nova didn’t think they’d added any extra tables or chairs, but somehow, there seemed to be even more people.
