“She cheated. Ithappens.”
“And now you’re looking for MissRight?”
“Can I start you two off with something to drink?” A young waitress with a tan I’m jealous of,asksus.
“I—” haven’t even looked at the menu. “A glass of your house white would begreat.”
“And foryou,sir?”
“Sam Adams,please.”
“Great, I’ll be back in a minute for your order,” she says, tapping her pen down on her pad. The entire wait staff here looks below the age of seventeen. This would have been the best high school summer job. Instead, I was babysitting and collecting eggs at the chicken farm down the street to bring in some extra income to help save up for college. Not asmuchfun.
“I’m not looking for ‘Miss Right,’ just taking life one day at a time, you know?” That’s kind of what I said last night, but he seemed to have a different thought on the matter when we were kissing. I’m not sure I’ve ever had such a hard time readingsomeone.
“Yeah, Iunderstandthat.”
“I know Liam has his claws in you.” Wow, okay. While I wasn’t expecting that to come out of his mouth, I suppose I shouldn’t be too surprised to hear it after the awkwardness thismorning.
“I don’t think I’d say that.” I take a moment to breathe through this conversation and glance back down at the menu, remembering we’re here forpizza.
“What do you like on your pizza?” Sterling asks. I can’t help but laugh at the question because of the expression people make when I recite my great pizza topping. “And you’re laughing, so this ought to be good. Don’t forget I’m a Canadian, eh. Pizza isn’t our staple, so go easyonme.”
Before I have a chance to answer his question, my phone buzzes on the table. I snatch it up quickly, scared it might be Jade sending something inappropriate that I wouldn’t want Sterling to see, but when I look at the display, I don’t recognize thenumber.
I open up the textandread:
Unknown Number:Have you seen any double A batteries lyingaround?”
Me:Huh? Whoisthis?
“Sorry,I think someone’s texting the wrong number,” I tellSterling.
“No prob,”he says, looking back down atthemenu.
Unknown Number:Oh, you know what? Never mind, I forgot, I found some earlier. I had to take them out of something, though, so they’re probably half dead. Do you think you could grab a pack on yourwayhome?
Me:Goodbye,Liam.
Liam:Okay, I’ll just buzz you later, Iguess.
Unbelievable.I drop my phone into my lap, more nervous now for it to light up with a message I don’t want Sterling to see. This guy doesn’t stop even for asecond.
I redirect my focus on Sterling who’s casually looking around, waiting for me to quitbeingrude.
“So, you’ve kept me hanging with this weird topping of yours. What’s it goingtobe?”
“We can just go with mushrooms and onions.How’sthat?”
“No, no, I need to know what you hadinmind.”
“Just one topping,” Itellhim.
“What is it, chocolate?” Helaughs.
“Ew,no.”
“Well, what is it?” He seems intrigued, soI’llbite.
