Still, the two of them put forth a valiant effort in pretending that they hadn’t talked about any such thing as they kept shuffling to the front of the line. They tried talking about sports, only to discover that neither of them followed football, which was the sport currently in season. They chatted unenthusiastically about the different pastry options until finally, mercifully, Garrett was at the front of the line.
He ordered his sticky bun, overwhelmingly grateful when they delivered it quickly. He waved goodbye to Shane, who was also looking a bit abashed, then hurried out the door to his truck.
It was only when he got inside that he let himself smile. He didn’t stop thinking about Shane’s words for the whole rest of the day. Three of his customers commented that he was so cheerful that they were tempted to mistake him for someone else.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Shane, who had to admit that his day was little more than wandering between the different eateries of Magnolia Shore, was wholeheartedly enjoying his lunch of coffee and a French dip sandwich at the Main Street Diner.
It was a good thing that this town was so walkable, like he’d said to Garrett right before he’d said the thing he shouldn’t have said that he was trying hard not to think about. It wasn’t the worst way he had ever revealed one of his sister’s secrets, as he had accidentally told Colin Porter that she had a crush on him in the eleventh grade, but it wasn’tideal.
Still. Garrett was an adult. He wouldn’t run snitching to Eleanor… or tell the whole school, which was what Colin Porter had done, the snot-nosed little punk. Eleanor had been mad at him for a month, but it had put an end to the crush, at least.
He took a bite of his French dip, which was incredible. It helped that he had walked up and down the beach for a while. He didn’t know if it was the walking or the shivering that had worked up the appetite, though. He wouldnotbe admitting that to his sister either. She would tease him mercilessly for losing all of his Midwestern cold-bearing abilities.
He was about halfway through the sandwich when Diana came in the diner. She looked as fashionable as she always did, but there was a flatness to her that suggested that she was feeling a bit less than her usual chipper self.
Even so, she stopped by his table on the way to the pick-up counter.
“Shane, hey,” she said warmly.
He dabbed at his mouth. “Diana! It’s so fun how I am always running into people in this town.”
She laughed. “Yeah, you get used to it, but it’s definitely nice. I guess the downside is that you never want to pop out to the grocery store in your sweats or whatever.”
“That might be specific to the fashionable boutique owners in town,” he suggested.
She struck a pose playfully, but only held it for a second, as if the effort was too much in her current state.
“Sorry,” she said, brushing back her hair and rolling her eyes in a self-deprecating fashion. “I’m out of sorts today.”
“No apology necessary,” he assured her. “Want to vent a little?”
She took the offered seat across from him, collapsing tiredly onto the old vinyl booth.
“I am supposed to be doing inventory right now,” she said. “And that’s bad enough, honestly, but for some infuriating reason, my computer keeps crashing. I thought I had solved the problem, but I was… not correct at all. Anthony tried to help me yesterday, but while he’s a great accountant and an amazing cheerleader, he’s not exactly tech-minded.”
“You know,” Shane said, “I know somebody who could probably help you with that.”
Diana’s eyes lit up. “You do? Who?”
He put down his sandwich and pointed both thumbs at himself, which caused her to press her hands to her cheek with a laugh.
“Oh, right! Yes, duh, silly me. I knew that. But… You’re sure you want to help me out?” she asked. “I know you’re on leave from work.”
“You would actually be doing me a favor,” he said. “I might not be feeling super gung-ho about my work these days, but I do still like computers, and after all this time away, I’m ever-so-slightly missing doing something in the computer department.”
“I feel like I am somehow still taking advantage of your goodwill,” Diana said, “but I am also totally desperate, so I’m going to agree anyway. Name the time and place. Also, name your favorite treat of choice, because I will be providing snacks for this, since you really are saving me.”
Shane gestured down at the sandwich, which was almost completely demolished.
“I’m pretty full on treats right now, but I can stop by whenever you’re ready. I’ve got nothing but time.”
“Is now too soon?” Diana asked hopefully.
“Not at all.”
Shane paid his bill while Diana picked up her takeout. She tried to purchase his lunch as well, as a thank you for the computer help, but he waved her off, assuring her that he was happy to be of help. This was true enough. His fingers were practically trembling with excitement about getting back at a keyboard.
