“I’ll bring you another one, on the house,” said a guy in a tight black shirt with an Italian playboy smile.
“Thanks.” Avery dropped the wipes in a pile on her plate. “I wondered if I was ready to date again—I guess I got my answer.”
“Hey, you’ll find the right guy.”
“Have you?”
Hope nodded. “Several times. I just can’t seem to commit.”
“I think I had the right guy.” Avery’s vision blurred slightly as she thought back to a simpler time. “I had my shot at love.”
“What happened?” Hope leaned her arms on the table. Miraculously, Walker’s side of the table was dry.
“Car crash. He died.” Getting to the point of summing up a heartache so big it eclipsed the sun for years was a sad accomplishment.
“And you end up dating this yo-yo? Tragic.”
Mr. Yummy Italian Guy handed her a to-go box. “Have a good night.” He hustled away to check on his tables.
Avery shook off the horror of having her face painted with ice water and French fries. “It’s all good. I’m swearing off dating for another year.” She stood up, shaking her hands and trying not to think about the squishy things that fell to the floor. The mess wasn’t hers to clean up, so that was good. But she felt bad for Hope. She dug some money out of her purse and set it on a dry spot for a tip.
“I’ll probably still be here, waiting tables. I hope I see you.” Hope began piling dishes to take to the kitchen. “And when you find Mr. Right, grab on to him.”
“Thanks. I’m going to go home and shower so long my water heater cries.”
“I’ll cash you out and the app will cover your meal. I’ll see you later.” Hope lifted one hand in a wave.
“Bye.” Avery pushed through the door, careful not to drop her to-go box.
Her phone beeped, and she did a fancy move to retrieve it from her purse as she walked. It was Capture My Heart, asking her to fill out a short survey about her experience. She tipped her head back and cackled. Oh, she’d fill that bad boy out. She’d fill out every field. Someone had to know the havoc they’d inflicted on her night. “Only me,” she lamented as she got into the car and started typing.
Chapter Six
Avery
“Mrs. Croft, we have a new student.”
Avery glanced up from the computer screen to find a child with honeysuckle-brown hair and large brown eyes tucked into herself standing in front of the principal. She smiled shyly, and Avery’s heart went out to her. The first day in a new school was worse than a first date any day.
“Hi.” Avery reached for a new student folder and moved around the desk to shake hands with the girl. They’d known this one was coming for quite some time. Apparently her father had moved to Seattle over a month ago, but she’d opted to stay behind until the end of term.
“Would you be so kind as to show Savannah around the school? I have a phone call with the district office shortly.” Principal Brown aimed his barrel chest at his office. He had great posture, putting his belly first through the hallways.
“Of course.” As soon as the principal was out of hearing distance, Avery leaned sideways and whispered out of the side of her mouth. “Don’t tell him, but this is my favorite part of the job.”
Savannah dropped her arms to her side and gave a Mona Lisa smile.
“I’m Mrs. Croft. Who might you be?”
“Savannah Wilaby.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Wilaby? The name rose up like a specter, making her hair stand on end. She quickly checked the folder for Savannah’s father’s name. Benjamin Wilaby. NotWalkerWilaby, like the man from the Capture My Heart app. Whew!
Avery pointed to the hall on the left, lined with red lockers and gray carpet. “That leads to the junior high—you’ll be there next year. But this year, you’re on the elementary side.” She took one dramatic step that direction before shortening her stride to match Savannah’s.
Savannah rubbed her nose. “I was in secondary at my old school.”
“Really? I find it fascinating how each school is a little different from the last. I’m sure you’ll see many similarities between us and your alma mater.”
