“He’s been there way longer than me. He’s excited to be able to retire soon. He and his wife are planning on traveling around in an RV once he’s done. They’ve been looking forward to it for years.”
Relieved that Jerry is much older and married, I tell her that sounds like fun as I turn down the next street.
“So what do you do?” she asks. I knew the question was coming, and I know she’s going to hate me when she later learns the truth, but for now I keep it vague.
“My brothers and I own a few places in town.”
“How many brothers do you have? I remember you mentioning a sister-in-law and nephew at the café.”
“I have two older brothers, both of them married, and they each have one son. My oldest brother’s wife is pregnant again, and we’re all pretty excited about it. How about you? Any brothers or sisters?”
I ask the question even though I already know the answer. Pavel’s file on Evie had been small to say the least, but it had been enough to infuriate me and make me even more desperate to spend time with her. She’s not had an easy life—a mom who died when she was ten, alcoholic and abusive father, never enough money, and her first job listed was when she was fifteen. It didn’t even come close to telling me all I want to know.
“No, I’m an only child,” she says, fidgeting with the strap of her bag and looking out the window.
Parking outside Nelly’s Diner, I drop the questions because it’s obvious they make her uncomfortable. There will be plenty of time for me to get to know her.
“I hope you’re hungry,” I tell her with a grin. “Because you’re going to want to try everything.”
She smiles and gets out of the car, not waiting for me to walk around and do it for her. I’m guessing it never even occurred to her that I would. Her face lights up when a red Mini Cooper pulls into the parking lot.
“You know them?” I ask.
She gives a soft laugh. “No, I just think Mini Coopers are really cute, especially the red ones.”
When I grab her hand again, she pushes up her glasses and ducks her head in embarrassment, and it’s the cutest damn thing I’ve ever seen. I hold the door open for her, ignoring the hostess who immediately gives me a big smile and instead keep my eyes on Evie.
“Table for two, please,” I say, still not looking over at the hostess who’s trying damn hard to get my attention.
“Right this way.” I ignore the snippy tone she uses when I refuse to smile and flirt with her.
We follow her hand-in-hand, and when she stops at a booth in the corner and hands us two menus, I thank her and then sit down across from Evie, who’s already looking through her menu.
“What are you leaning towards?” I ask her, watching her eyes dart around the menu.
She chews her bottom lip, hypnotizing me with the movement and scans the menu before saying, “The Sunrise Celebration.”
I laugh and give a nod. “Nice choice. I think I’ll have the same.” After the waitress comes over and we place our order, I say, “I’ll be very impressed if you manage to eat it all.”
She takes one of the cups of coffee when the waitress drops them off and thanks her, giving the woman a sweet smile. While she adds creamer and sugar, she says, “I’ll be able to finish it. I’m starving.”
“How do you like the overnight schedule?”
She gives a small shrug. “I like the night. It’s quieter and everyone else is asleep.”
“It must be kind of lonely though.”
“I guess you get used to it.” I can tell I’m making her uncomfortable again by the way she pushes her glasses up. It’s her little tell.
She takes another drink before asking, “So do you always stay up all night, or did you just wake up really early?”
“Sometimes I do, but usually I’m more late to bed and late to wake.”
“I hope you’re not missing sleep because of me.”
“It would be worth it.”
I smile at the blush she gives and then scoot my mug aside when the waitress comes back with our food. Evie’s eyes widen when she sees the large plates, making me laugh.
