“Sure,” she chirps happily. She turns to go, then swivels back. “Actually, do you want to grab something to eat first? I’m starving.”
“I’m not really supposed to go anywhere.”
“Right. Of course. I’ll meet you at your house.” She turns to leave again, and for some reason, I feel like a jerk even though I haven’t done anything. Not today, anyway.
“Wait.”
She stops and glances back at me.
“I know a place not far from here.”
Instantly, her smile is back. “Great. I’ll drive. That way if your dad asks, I kidnapped you.”
Lacey’s Bronco smells like her—sweet and floral. I adjust the passenger seat to make room for my long legs as she starts the SUV. Loud rock music blasts from the speakers.
“Sorry.” She fumbles to turn it down.
I lift a brow at her song choice. “I did not picture you as an AC/DC fan.”
“It’s for our new dance routine.”
“Ah.”
She pulls out of the school and then glances over at me. “Don’t talk my ear off or anything.”
A smirk teases my lips. “What would you like me to talk about?”
“I don’t know. Life. Soccer. The weather.”
“My life is soccer, and it’s cold outside.”
“Succinct.” She laughs softly. “Where am I going?”
“Mabel’s Diner. It’s on—”
“I know it.” She shoots me a surprised glance.
“Or there’s a pizza place not far from there.”
“No. Mabel’s is great. I love that place.”
We ride the rest of the way to the diner in silence. It’s one of those old-timey places with a jukebox and servers on roller skates.
“I haven’t been here in forever,” Lacey exclaims, clearly charmed by the whole vibe.
I text my dad to let him know I’m with Lacey to study, and he replies with a thumbs-up. And people wonder where I get my chatty personality from.
“When I was little, my dad brought me here sometimes on the weekend. They used to have the best peach pie.”
“Still do,” I say as one of the servers approaches me.
“Hey, Vaughn.” Lucia grins at me as she comes to a stop at the end of the table.
“Hey. How are you?” I ask the waitress. She’s worked here as long as I’ve been coming.
She pats at her dark hair with the back of her hand. “Good. Same ole. You?”
“Same.”
