Jane!
“There’s a reason I’ve gone to all this trouble. I have limited time and goals which must be achieved while I’m here. You, dearest, are a part of that if you’d like to be. But we can discuss it over lunch.”
He pulled into the parking lot of Domingo’s and got out before Elsie could put together a response. What was he talking about? Why was he calling her dearest? And all the while she couldn’t help imagining how much Jeff would enjoy this story later. Like he was some invisible observer to her strange date.
Collin got her door, and she made sure to be out of the way when he closed it this time. She followed him into the restaurant, cringing as he loudly bantered with the hostess, a girl maybe sixteen who bit back a laugh when he asked for their finest table.
Elsie sat down in the booth first and Collin followed, cozying right up next to her. She shifted over and put her purse down between them, thankfully settling that skirmish once and for all.
“Collin, it’s been nice having you visit, but I don’t see how I can be a part of your future plans. I’m not really into self-help and goals and all that.”
His eyebrows rose. “Oh, but you are. I told Catherine De Bourgh all about you last night, and she thinks your little business is a good sign you have the humility and independence necessary for a relationship with me.”
Elsie picked up her menu, opening it up like a shield between them. “A relationship with you? Like a business relationship? Collin, I already have a partner in Jane. I don’t want your money. We’re good. I promise. Do you like enchiladas? They have a great red enchilada here.”
He lowered the menu and grinned. “Say that again.”
“What?”
“Say you don’t want my money. It’s so refreshing. I could just kiss you.” He pulled down her menu and leaned in with puckered lips, his hands reaching for her.
Elsie scooted back and slid out the other side of the booth, dragging her purse with her. “Actually, I’m not hungry.” She flipped around and ran right into a waiter with a tray full of food. Dishes and tacos flew everywhere, landing with a deafening clatter.
She bent down and started picking up pieces of broken plate. “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.” This was a nightmare. She picked up half a taco shell and a wedge of lime and put it back on the tray, her hands shaking from adrenaline and humiliation.
The waiter’s face went from irritated to sympathetic. “I got this, ma’am. It’s okay. Just sit back down and enjoy your meal.”
That was the last thing she wanted to do. Somewhere behind her, Collin was demanding to speak with a manager. She flipped around and stared him down. “We do not need a manager, Collin. Be quiet for once. That was totally my fault. I’d like to go home now, and then I think you should pack your things and go home as well. Let my parents have their garage back. Sometimes goals have to change. That’s part of life. Cross me off whatever list you have me on.”
Collin’s mouth flapped open and closed like a fish. Speechless. That had to be a good sign. Maybe the message was finally getting through.
“I’ll wait for you by the car.” She opened her purse and took out a twenty dollar bill. On the way out she handed it to the hostess and apologized for ruining someone else’s food.
“Hold on.” The hostess ran after her and pulled something out of Elsie’s hair. It was a piece of shredded lettuce.
***
“We have plans tonight.”
Charlie had that gleam in his eye, and Will reluctantly closed his laptop and waited to see what his friend was talking about. Hopefully, whatever it was would be better than trying to get work done while Caroline attempted to engage him in conversation. But then, that was probably why Charlie was so confident Will would accept.
“Three words. Haunted Corn Maze.”
Will dropped his head in his hands. “Really? What are we, fifteen?”
“Elsie’s coming along.”
“Who?” Caroline ducked her head into the kitchen and folded her arms. “Why a corn maze, Charlie? You know I’m allergic to corn.”
“And teenagers dressed up as zombies,” Will added.
Caroline nodded. “Yes. I’m definitely allergic to those.” She glanced back at Charlie. “Who’s going?”
Will had warned him about Caroline’s attempt to sniff out his mystery girl, which had forced Will to admit to Charlie that yes, he’d been talking about Elsie with Gianna, and yes, he was, in a totally hypothetical way, interested in someone like her. Charlie had reacted as expected, with enough excitement to embarrass Will for the rest of his life. But he did promise to try to keep Caroline in the dark.
“Oh, Jane and I, and her little sister. We throw her and Will together so neither of them has to be a third wheel. Though they both seem to hate each other.”
Will nodded. “We do. It’s awkward.”
