“Still want the bread pudding?”
“Of course.” He grinned. “That’s why I had to stop with the main meal.”
“Can’t blame you for that.” She cleared his plate from the table. “I’ll box it up for you and keep it under the heater until you’re ready to leave.”
“That would be great. Thanks.” He noticed the tired lines under her eyes and that her step lacked a bounce. His heart went out to her. Waiting tables wasn’t easy work—he’d done it for two years during college and he didn’t have a child to take care of as well.
She came back with a bowl in hand. “I had to brew another pot of coffee, but here’s your dessert in the meantime.”
“Can you join me for a while?” He didn’t know where the offer came from, other than he saw her exhaustion and need to relax.
“I’m still on the clock.” Her gaze darted around the room as though looking for an excuse but found none.
He followed her gaze and grinned. “I know, I know, you have so many customers to take care of.”
She cracked a smile, but then her eyes turned suspicious. “Why?”
“I’m bored, you look like you could use a break, and I’d like to hear how Lara’s doing. Take your pick.”
The suspicion evaporated. “I’d be insulted that you said I need a break, but I’ve seen myself in a mirror.”
“You look fine, just tired.” He kicked himself under the table for not thinking about how he’d said it.
“It’s fine, really. But I did want to talk to you about Lara.” She tilted her chin in the direction of the kitchen. “I’ll ask my manager if it’s okay when I go to get your coffee.”
While he waited for her, he wondered what he’d been thinking. They hardly knew each other, and she barely tolerated him, at least that’s the vibe he got. What if someone walked in and saw them sitting together? What would they think? He didn’t want to cause her any further trouble with false rumors and gossip.
What should he do? He couldn’t very well rescind the invitation without looking like an idiot or hurting her feelings. Maybe her boss would say no. He’d never been impulsive. Why would he start now?
Two minutes passed before she came out, carrying a tray with two cups of coffee and another piece of bread pudding. “My manager said it’s fine since I worked through my break earlier, as long as I don’t stay on the clock sitting down for more than a half hour.”
So much for option B. He’d made the offer and would make the best of it, pray no one came in that they knew. “Great.”
She set his coffee down in front of him and laid a bowl of creamers and sugar next to it. Before sitting down, she put her items across the table from him and set the tray on the counter. “I should eat something more substantial since I haven’t eaten dinner, but my sweet tooth said otherwise.”
“You’ll get no judgment from me.” He wagged his brows, playing on their past.
Her laughter rang out, and it soothed his soul, showed she’d truly forgiven him.
He forked a square of bread pudding and ran it through the vanilla sauce. “Is Alice with a babysitter?”
“My mom watches her while I work. She’s a lifesaver and won’t charge a dime which helps me save more to put toward an apartment of my own.”
“That’s great. Sounds like life is coming together again for you.”
“It is, thanks to my family. One day, I’d like to get back into college, but for now I’ll settle for getting out on my own, but still near my family.”
He finished chewing. “How are the talks with Lara going?”
“Really well. She’s still scared, understandably so, but is beginning to realize this isn’t a life sentence, not in the way she saw it. Her life will change, but it doesn’t have to be for the bad.” She poured a container of creamer into her coffee and stirred it. “I shared my story, how fear can cause more bad decisions; and told her I ran because I was scared, but wished I hadn’t. She’s very fortunate to have a family who will support her and help her with the baby.”
“Any update on her and Aiden?” He laid down his fork and frowned. “Neither he, nor his parents will answer my calls, and I haven’t seen Aiden in two weeks. I’m worried his parents are going back on what they told me.”
Trixie dropped her gaze to her plate. “Aiden and Lara broke up two weeks ago.”
“What?” His mouth gaped. He hadn’t seen that coming.
“According to Lara, the stress got to be too much for Aiden, and he ended their relationship.” She looked at him with a glint of sadness. “Lara’s devastated. She thought they’d be together forever.”
