The dating pool in Ruby Lake is either men here for the weekend, never to be seen again. Or worse… I went to school with them, and just like myself, they never left this town.
Before I feel my face burn hotter, I scribble down their drink orders with a quick, “I’ll be right back.”
3
HENRY
“And to think you calledmea lovesick puppy. You’re practically drooling watching her walk away.” Miles finally speaks more than three words, and unfortunately, he’s right. I’m practically drooling like a dog.
“Is she new here?” I muster a response and drag my gaze away. Her freckled face drew me in a way that I can only assume being hypnotized feels like.
“No, we went to school together.” He leans back into his side of the booth. “I think she was a few grades below me so I don’t know much about her other than that.”
“Do you know her last name?” I sneak another peak at her as she finishes pouring coffee into a white mug.
“I think Winslow? Assuming she has the same last name as her mom.”
“Maisie Winslow…” I ponder the name. How have I never seen her before? Maybe our paths never crossed during my summers here… “Do you know if she’s seeing anyone?”
“I’m not.” She appears with our drinks in hand, startling me. “Sorry to eavesdrop, you hear your name and can’t help but listen.”
“Good things, I promise.” My smile is sheepish, which is very unlike me.
There’s a small grin on her face as she sets our drinks onto the coasters in front of us. I stare at her hands, so soft and delicate with a pale pink color painted across her fingernails.
“What can I get going for you guys food-wise?” She pulls the notepad and pen from her apron and looks to Miles.
“Bacon and cheese omelet, please.” He hands her back the menu and this is the first time he’s even given her the time of day. This isn’t the Miles I know, he’s usually kinder. He’s lucky he ghosted Jo before she had the chance to ghost him. Clearly he would deserve it if this is how he treats women.
But I also know thisisn’thim.
“And you?” She looks at me but I was so invested in her coffee pouring skills and Miles’ negative demeanor that I didn’t even focus on the menu.
“I, uh—” Fuck, I’m stuttering. For a girl that I’ve just met, she sure has me tied up in knots. I clear my throat and smile. “Surprise me, Maisie.”
“Surprise… you?” She’s cute with her cocked head and slightly furrowed brows.
“Yes, please. Order me whatever you think I’d like.” Leaning forward, my elbows on the table, I hand her my menu. “If you picked it out, then it’s already my favorite.” Her smile grows bigger and her cheeks rosier.
Something in me wants to keep making her smile like this.
“Alright, I’ll be back with your food shortly.” She walks away and I decide at that moment I want to know more about her.
“Alrighty, omelet for you,”Maisie arrives at our booth, setting down each of our plates. Before she can even say anything else, I snicker at my surprise plate in front of me.
“Kids pancakes, huh?” In front of me sat a stack of three pancakes with a smiley face made out of whipped cream and a cherry nose. It brings me back to the summers here with my mom and dad. I would always get the kids pancakes and a hot chocolate with extrawhipped cream and rainbow sprinkles.
A bittersweet feeling looms in my chest over the simple surprise.
Once I became a teenager and only cared about girls and my appearance I stopped creating memories here, memories like pancakes with my parents. I was more worried about what the girls would think of me on vacation rather than enjoying the time I had here.
You spend your whole childhood wanting to grow up, just to wish back your younger years.
“I hope you like them.” Maisie fidgets with her hands and I can tell she’s second guessing her decision. “I added the cherry for a special touch.”
I look at her as I take a bite, refusing to break eye contact as I swallow—whipped cream and all. “Deliciousandsweet.”
Just like her, I think to myself. Thoughts about whether or not her lips taste like the cherry on my plate.
