She gives me a trembling smile as emotion washes over her pretty features. “I’d appreciate it. How much do you charge?”
I shake my head again. “Nothing.”
Her eyes widen slightly. “You can’t look after Lucas for an entire night and not charge anything.”
I think for a moment, then grin. “You can put extra cheese on my pizza order.”
“That’s a deal.” Digging a notepad and pen from her apron pocket, she asks, “Which pizzas do you want?”
“One pepperoni, one Hawaiian, aaand ...” I reach for a menu and pull it closer to look over the selection the diner offers. “Make the third one with as many layers of cheese as you can pile on.”
“Coming right up.” She turns away from me to give the order to Rodney, the cook. Glancing over her shoulder, she asks, “Would you like a soda while you wait?”
I shake my head. “I just had something to drink.”
I glance at the other customers in the diner, which is not too busy before the evening rush.
When Waverly brings me the bill, I quickly pay. While I wait for my order, I watch a bit of the football rerun on the TV that’s mounted next to the chalkboard menu that shows the specials for the week.
A hand settles on my shoulder, and my head snaps to the side. Seeing Colby Adams, who graduated the same year as me, I smile.
He was the most popular boy in school due to him being the quarterback. After we graduated, he became a reporter for the Sugar River Valley area. I was actually surprised. I always thought he’d move to the city.
“Hey,” he says as he takes a seat beside me. “How’s the prettiest girl in Verona doing?”
“I don’t know,” I chuckle. “You should ask her.”
The corner of his mouth lifts. “How are you?”
I let out a burst of laughter at his harmless flirting.
“I’m good. I haven’t seen you around much.”
“I was covering a story for the historical society in Mount Horeb.” He reaches for my hair, which is caught in a low-hanging ponytail, and tugs a few strands. “But now that I have some time, I was hoping you’d reconsider and go out to dinner with me.”
Colby’s been trying for five years to get me to go out with him, and even though he is attractive and a good man, I just don’t feel a spark between us.
“You need to stop asking. My answer isn’t going to change.” I give him a smile to ease the blow of rejection. “I’m way too busy with work, and dating is the last thing I’m interested in.”
I even made Jordan go with me to my prom so I didn’t have to accept any of the invites I received. I’m one of those people who are perfectly content with not being in a romantic relationship. My life is full and happy, and it doesn’t feel like it’s missing anything.
Not accepting my rejection, Colby smirks and leans forward. Sounding too sure of himself, he says, “I’ll get you to change your mind at some point.”
Waverly sets the three large pizza boxes down in front of me, and it prompts Colby to ask, “Can I give you a ride home?”
“Nope, but thanks for the offer.” I lift the boxes and turn my attention to Waverly. “See you on Tuesday.”
“I’ll drop Lucas off at six p.m.”
“That works for me.”
I can feel Colby’s eyes resting on me as I walk out of the diner and let out a sigh. Hopefully, he’ll stop asking me on dates.
I cut through the town square, admiring the baskets of colorful flowers hanging from antique lampposts. As I head down my street, the three boxes grow heavier, and by the time I reach the cul-de-sac where my family home is, I let out a breath of relief.
I take the steps up to the porch, which is decorated with a hanging chair and potted flowers. It’s my parents’ favorite spot to sip on a glass of wine while they watch the sun set.
The front door opens, and Mom grins at me. “Let me take those.”
