Her eyes are on me and I make an in the moment decision by swiping my tongue across my lower lip.
The clap of her hands breaks us out of this trance we’re in. “Let me know if I can grab anything else for you guys!” She speeds off and I try to keep my eyes on my plate but I can’t help them wandering to watch her as she moves onto helping other tables. Customers look at her as if they’ve known her their whole life. Smiling as she brings their plates, giving her hugs on their way out. Almost like she’s Ruby Lake’s own golden girl.
To stop myself from thinking too much about her I lift my head to Miles. “So, what’s the plan today, boss?”
“To get you as far away from me as possible.” He stabs his fork into his omelet. Someone’s still a bit cranky.
“Well consideringyouaskedmeto stay here, I don’t think that’s gonna happen.” I take another bite of my pancake, smirking. “I’m thinking you should’ve gotten these pancakes instead, turn that frown upside down.” He’s not laughing but I sure as hell am as I take another bite.
“Are you going to do anything about this school girl crush you have going on?” He gestures to Maisie.
I scoff, trying my best to act nonchalant. “I don’t even know her.”
But I want to.
“When has that stopped you before?”
Leaning back and crossing my arms over my chest, I eye Miles. “Why should I be taking advice from someone who just ghosted someone and is playing the victim?”
“Touché.” He stabs at his omelet again. “I just think you two would… work. I saw the way you both looked at each other just now. Hell, your cheeks are red.”
Huh. That’s… unexpected, since I’ve never been in a relationship for him to even know how I would “work” with someone. Yet hearing that brings me a sort of comfort I can’t describe.
I’ve never been in a serious relationship but I’ve had a few situationships. None of them ended too well. I always made sure to tell them—male or female—that it would be nothing more than friends with benefits. It always worked for me until it didn’t. I just wanted something physical, no feelings attached but sometimes my partner didn’t reciprocate, causing a mess in the end.
Meeting Maisie though… I want to knowher, notjust how we’d work in a bed.
“How are you two doin’?” Elaine comes back to our table, leaning a hip on Miles’ side of the booth.
I look in his direction hoping he’ll answer first but to no one’s surprise there’s no response.
“Taste’s amazing! I loved this place when I was little so I’m happy to be back.” I give her a wide grin.
“That makes me happy to hear, honey.” She looks back to Miles. “I’m having a barbecue soon to celebrate my fiftieth. I wanted to pass along the invite to you two. Maybe make some business partners,” she nudges Miles and then looks at me and winks, “orfriends.”
“I could always use a friend or two while I’m in town, count us in,” I say, not caring if Miles agrees or not.
“Amazing, it’ll be at our house. I’ll get you more details soon.”
“I don’t know if I—” Miles starts before I cut him off.
“We’ll be there, what can we bring?”
“Just your young selves and a good time!” She pats Miles’ shoulder and goes onto the next table to check in on them.
As she walks away, I catch Maisie looking in my direction. I take the cherry and pop it in my mouth, our eyes lock on one another until she finally breaks the trance we’ve found ourselves in once again. Smiling and shaking her head, she walks toward another table.
Her smile lingers like the taste of the cherry on my lips—sweet. I’m already craving more.
4
MAISIE
Oh my god, stop staring.I argue internally with myself, but still looking over my shoulder to Miles and Henry. I tell myself I’m just checking in but I know deep down that’s not why I can’t tear my gaze away. I’ll give him every cherry in Washington state to watch him eat one again the way he just did.
“Maisie, you’re in trouble…” I can feel Kevin’s eyes on me but mine are still looking past my shoulder.
“What did I do?” I turn face to face with him and cross my arms over my chest, poorly attempting to play dumb.
