Once they got inside the food building, Mercedes huddled closer to him.No complaints.“There’re so many different kinds to choose from.I can’t decide.What are you having?”
He steered her toward his favorite.Barbecue beef and chicken with a variety of sides.Right there.Lots of protein, so I can keep up with you this afternoon.You had a rowboat planned for the river, right?”
She clapped her hands.“I’d love to row on the Charles.Okay, maybe some of that seafood across the way.Do you need my help ordering?”
Did she really think he was so pathetic he couldn’t get his food order across?“Get in line to order yours.I’ll be okay.”And he was.Everyone else seemed to do just fine with pointing and nodding.His brother, Brian, had told him the guy here didn’t speak much English, so pointing and nodding was what many of the customers did.
When his order was being wrapped up, he glanced back at Mercedes.She still had one more person in front of her before she could order.He’d love to see if he could find a table, mostly impossible at this time of day, but he wouldn’t leave Mercedes alone.They’d never find each other again in this crowd.
Food in hand, he waited until she ordered her fish and paid.When she turned around, she seemed surprised he was waiting for her.
“Oh, you’ve got your food.”Signing with one hand wasn’t easy, so he nodded and used his free hand to guide her outside.They found a stone wall to sit on that surrounded one of the trees.
While he concentrated on his food, he eyed the crowd.No one paid much attention to them while they ate.When he asked her a question in ASL, more people stopped to stare.Since they were eating, their signing was mostly voice off so they could chew.He hated being the center of attention, so he simply nodded at her questions.
The barbecue chicken had been excellent, but now his hands were covered in grease.She was still working on her fish and chips.I’ll be right back.I need to clean up.Don’t move from here.
At her nod, he tossed his paper goods in the trash and made his way to the public bathrooms.It didn’t take long to finish up and return, but when he did, he found another man chatting with his girl.
His girl?
For today, yes.
Who was this guy who thought he could simply move in and take over?He wore expensive dress slacks and leather shoes.His shirt was casual yet nothing like anything Evan owned.Definitely not from Wal-Mart or the thrift store.
Replaced me already, huh?He joked when Mercedes glanced up at him.
Something in her eyes showed discomfort.Because he’d caught her with another guy?They were here as friends, so she was hardly cheating.Or because Mr.GQ was a far better choice, and she was embarrassed by Evan’s t-shirt and cargo shorts?
The man barely gave him a glance as he continued to take up her attention.Mercedes waved her hand toward him.“Evan, this is Callum Bray.Callum, this is Evan Jameson.”
Callum’s face squished up, and he fluttered his hands in the air.Evan wasn’t sure, but he thought he’d asked what the hand gestures were for.Mercedes continued to sign.
“It’s American Sign Language.Evan is Deaf.”
The man sneered, and Evan only caught a few words on his lips.“… anything … won’t …”
“He won’t hear you, but I’m interpreting your comments, so he’ll know what you said.”
Evan nodded at Callum but pretended to search the area for something.Yeah, his pride and sanity.Why did he think he could have a day with a beautiful woman like Mercedes?
Mercedes slowed her interpreting, mostly showing him what she was saying, or not saying even though Callum seemed to be doing most of the talking.Did she not want him to know what the other guy was talking about?What he could read of his lips, he was asking to get together soon.Evan didn’t need to see someone else setting up a date with the woman he was spending the day with.Glancing around, he saw the empty plate Mercedes had been eating from.With a quick sign, he picked it up and meandered away to toss it in the trash can.
When he returned, Callum had picked up one of Mercedes’ hands and looked like he might kiss it.Did people still do that?The smile on her face wasn’t a real one, and he had to wonder why.Did she regret coming out with him today, or was she embarrassed that she was making a date with someone while out with him?
Callum strode away without even a glance his way.Not that Evan cared one bit.He cared that Mercedes now looked upset.
She pulled out her trolley map again and pointed toward the stop to hop back on.While they were waiting, Evan decided to try and break the ice.
Sorry he caught you slumming.
She narrowed her eyes at him.What?What are you talking about?How am I slumming it?He could tell she was voicing off.Too many other people also waiting for the trolley.She stroked her hand down over her hip.These shorts are name brand and so is this shirt.My mother bought them for me.It’s casual elegance.
Is that what she thought he meant?No, you always look nice.But I don’t.This is about as good as it gets.Clothes without rips or dirt and grease all over them.
You looked amazing at Blake and Carli’s engagement party.
It pleased him that she had a good impression of his outfit then, but he responded with his typical sarcasm.Kind of a shock, huh?Should I have worn that today?
