We both take our seats, and a moment later, a waitress comes bustling over to our table.
“Welcome to Backyard Burgers,” she greets us.“Can I get you two something to drink?”
“Just a water for me,” Vera says, and I nod.
“Same.”
“Got it.I’ll give you two a moment to look over the menu,” she says, and Vera grabs two menus from behind the napkin holder and passes me one.
“Thanks.What do you usually get here?”I ask her.
“I don’t eat here that much.I don’t eat out very often,” she tells me as she looks over the menu.
She studies the menu, but I watch her.She’s beautiful with midnight black hair that hangs close to her waist.She changed into a pair of dark jeans and a loose green tank top that makes her blue eyes look darker.
Did she get dressed up for me?Was she just as excited about our date as I was?Has she ever felt this way about anyone else?
“Do you have a boyfriend?”I blurt out, and she jerks back, surprised by my question.
“Um, no.If I did, I wouldn’t be here with you,” she points out, looking offended.
“Of course, I’m sorry,” I rush to apologize.
“I wouldn’t cheat on someone.Anyone,” she stresses, and I nod.
“Me either.”
That carefree air around her has dimmed, and I want to kick myself for upsetting her.
The waitress comes back with our waters before I can apologize again, and Vera smiles up at her.
“Ready to order?”
“I think so.I’ll have the Backyard Original,” she orders, and I nod.
“Me too.”
I’m not even sure what that is.I never got around to looking at the menu since I was so busy staring at her.
“So, tell me about yourself,” I say once the waitress is gone.
“Well, um, I was born and raised here in Wolf Valley.So were my parents and grandparents.”
“Do you like it here?”I ask, and she smiles.
“Yeah, it’s home, you know?”
No, I don’t.I’ve never really had a home.Or I’ve never felt at home like that.
“That’s nice.It seems like a cool town.”
“It is.”
She takes a sip of her water and looks around.
“What’s your favorite color?”I ask her, and she pauses.
“Gray.”
