Damn it. You asked.
“I also see the way he looks at you when you’re busy taking orders or behind the counter filling drinks and whatnot. He likes you, too, Lex. The only question is when are the two of you going to do something about it?”
Caleb laughed loudly. Lexi narrowed her eyes at him, but he simply shrugged and said, “Told ya.”
Reaching behind her, Lexi untied her apron. “First of all, I don’t give him a look. Second, and most importantly, my love life isn’t any of your business.” She eyed both men. “So, I’d appreciate it if you stayed out of it.”
Caleb looked a little chagrined, but not Joe. The man who’d come to be more of a father figure rather than just her boss simply stood there, smiling.
After locking the place up for the night, Caleb said his goodbyes and headed for his small, beat-up car while Joe and Lexi continued walking to theirs. They were parked next to the wooded area that butted up against the diner’s parking lot, where all employees were supposed to park.
“You know,” Joe stood next to her, behind his car’s bumper. “There’s nothing wrong with liking a man, Lex. And this Trevor? He sounds like one of the good ones.”
“Joe,” Lexi said the name as a warning. Of course, the stubborn old fool didn’t listen.
“You’re too young and much too pretty to waste all your days stuck in this place”—he jutted his chin toward the diner—“and your nights alone in your mama’s house.”
Lexi swallowed at the mention of her mom. “I-I’m good, Joe. Really.”
“I may be old, Alexis, but I ain’t stupid.”
Joe used her full name. He only did that when he was being serious. Shit.
“I know you’re not stupid.”
“Well, good. At least we agree on that.” Joe’s expression softened, and he put a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Look, Lex. I know losing your mama was hard. And, I know her illness and death put you in a tight spot, but you still have a life to live. Your mama and I didn’t know each other long, but one thing’s for certain...she wanted you to be happy.”
A stinging sensation filled her nose, and Lexi blinked away the tears that always came when she thought about her mom. “I know that.”
“Do you? Because all I see is you working yourself to the bone with nothing to show for it. Don’t get me wrong, honey. You’re the best employee I’ve had in all my years of owning this place, and I’d hate to lose you. But I’d manage, especially if I knew you were moving forward with your life. A life you deserve.”
“I’m not unhappy, Joe.”
“But you’re not exactlyhappy, either.”
That comment took her by surprise. Mainly, because he was right.
“Told you”—Joe pointed to the corner of his right eye—“these old eyes see more than anyone ever thinks.”
Lexi leaned in and gave her friend a hug. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Drive careful.”
Hugging her back, Joe gave her an extra squeeze. “See you tomorrow, baby girl.”
An hour later, Lexi had showered the day away and was sitting up in bed, trying to read. Normally, she could get lost in a good romance novel for hours. Tonight, however, she was having trouble concentrating on the words.
Realizing she needed to scroll back three pages because she had no idea what she’d just read, Lexi gave up and set her tablet on the nightstand to the right of her bed. She glanced at her phone and the business card lying beside it.
Checking the time, she wondered if he would even be awake. Thinking of what Joe had said, Lexi decided to throw caution to the wind and send Trevor a text. Just to thank him.
You already thanked him.
Ignoring the little voice in her head accusing her of making excuses, Lexi snatched her phone from the nightstand, along with the card. With her pillow propped up between her back and the headboard, she flipped the card over.
Running her thumb across the handwritten numbers, she remembered the way his strong fingers had held her pen. Of its own accord, her mind brought forth the image of him holding her wrist, and the gentleness with which he’d caressed the skin there.
He’d seemed so upset at the idea that she’d been bruised. Even apologized, as if it had been his fault. She looked at the number again. Surely, someone who stood up for others the way he did todayhadto be a good guy. Right?
Decision made, Lexi typed the number into her phone and then her message.
