Maude laughs and tops off our cups. "Breakfast will be out in just a minute. Y'all enjoy now."
As she walks away, I scan the diner for the hundredth time. Three truckers at the counter, baseball caps pulled low. Cook visible through the service window.
Under normal circumstances, this would be simple. I could clear this room in seconds if needed. But circumstances aren't normal. Not with Naomi sitting across from me, vulnerable despite the weapon hidden in her purse.
"You look tense," Naomi says quietly, reaching across to touch my hand. I am tense. Some of it is the mission. Some of it is wanting to lick her creamy skin, turned yellow honey by the morning light.
"Just thinking about the drive ahead," I reply, forcing my shoulders to relax.
Maude returns with our plates. "Here you go. Get it while it's hot." There are eggs, bacon, pancakes, and hash browns. Enough food for four people. Giving us all the time we want to slowly eat this. And watch.
"This looks amazing," Naomi gushes, playing her part perfectly. "Doesn't it, honey?"
"Sure does," I agree. Maude leaves us to it, still without revealing any hint that she’s part of something nefarious or that she suspects we’re not who we say we are.
“Sunrises or sunsets?” Naomi asks as she cuts into her pancakes. We have a long breakfast ahead of us, to give truckers some time to pay and for receipts to be produced before our plan can work. I’m glad Naomi can think of things to talk about. Whatever part of my brain that isn’t tracking the possible threats around us is taken up entirely with picturing stripping Naomi naked again and taking her from behind
I take a sip of my coffee, considering. “I really don’t know,” I answer honestly.
Naomi smiles. “I think I like sunrises better. I like the beginning of things better than the end.” She takes a big, cheeky bite of pancake and chews, clearly pleased with herself.I think she can read the effect she is having on me. I suppose it’s a nice distraction for her, too.
I smile at her answer and the pleased look on her face. I never considered it. I probably liked the end of things. Yearned for it. Because I just wanted to get away. I just wanted my life to be over.
But I don’t feel that way anymore, looking at the beautiful woman in front of me. I don’t exactly know what could be if we’re able to pull this off. But if we do, I’m not going to deny myself any longer.
“Sunrises,” I say.
We talk through our meal. It’s easy despite the circumstances. Watching her talk animatedly about things she likes or hates certainly doesn’t dampen my lust for her. But I do treasure any new information I can glean about her.
But as we near clearing our plates, a truck engine roars to life outside as if an alarm went off. It's almost time.
"Ready for the check?" I ask, and she knows what I mean by that.Are you ready to do what we planned?
Her eyes meet mine, all traces of playfulness gone. "More than ready. Let's hit the road."
Let us. Together.
My rock steady heartbeat is a metronome marking time. The tension coils tight in my gut as I watch Maude punch numbers into the register. My eyes keep darting between her fingers and the receipt spike next to the machine. The last trucker just left, his heavy boots scuffing across the linoleum floor. The diner is empty now. It's time to move.
"Check, please, ma'am," I say, keeping my voice casual.
Maude glances up, coffee pot still in hand. "You sure you don't want another cup, hon?"
Naomi places her hand on mine across the table. "Why not, Walker? We're not in any rush. I need to use the restroom anyway. Enjoy your coffee." She squeezes my shoulder as shestands, I affectionately squeeze her thigh, a silent signal passing between us that we have each other's backs.
I watch her walk away, moving with purpose toward the back hallway. "Maude!" Naomi's voice calls out from the bathroom. "I think there's something wrong with the toilet!"
Maude sighs, setting down the coffee pot. "Let me see, honey," she calls back, disappearing down the hallway.
I move the instant she's out of sight. Three long strides bring me behind the counter. The cook is out back having a smoke— a habit I clocked yesterday.
I try to pick up the card reader.
It's bolted down. Something I didn’t anticipate.
Shit.
I slow my breathing and my heart rate even more as I find the bolts underneath the counter to unscrew. Through the window, I see a semi pulling into the lot. The hiss of air brakes outside tells me the truck has come to a full stop.
