Smiling wide, I stifle my irritation. No one wants to be compared to other people. I give Carl, another regular, his pie while saying, “Thanks, Bob. I appreciate that. Can I get you anything else? No mustard with your fries today?” Shaking his head, he mumbles around a bite of food.
“Tell me if you need anything else,” I say while turning my smile to Carl. He winks at me, and I take a quick glance at my full counter to make sure no one needs a refill before checking for orders in the kitchen behind me.
I’ve worked at my Mama’s diner since I was old enough to balance a tray and I’ve seen it all before. Secrets can’t hide in a place like this, not in this town, anyways. They are whispered, passed from friend to friend, given life even if they aren’t true. Botched proposals, cheating spouses, blackmail, stolen property—I’ve heard it all, even some things that will stay in my nightmares as long as I live.
Shirley comes up behind me, tucking her face close into my neck and says, “He. Is. Delicious. Caroline.”
I laugh. “You think every man is delicious,” I return, rolling my eyes so she can see my irritation. Shirley ignores me completely while she grabs an order, shaking her head to herself, a grin permanently affixed to her face. Glancing at the wall of a man briefly, I know he is a little more delicious than the standard Bronze Bay man. He’s not wearing a fishing shirt, cowboy boots, or a cocky smile. His face is angular, stony. Thick lashes line his narrow eyes and his jaw is covered in a dark black scruff.
“Order up,” Caleb calls, breaking me from my quiet daydream. “Caroline. It’s yours,” he adds on, grinning when he sees he’s caught my attention.
I smile. No teeth. “Thanks, Caleb.”
“What are you doing this weekend? Any big plans?” he asks, eyeing a few orders hanging in front of him. He’s twenty-one, and he’s been here since he graduated high-school. He’s always been nothing except kind, but I also know he’d jump at the chance to be more than my friend. No one gets that kind of chance though, so I nod his way. “You heading to the spot tonight? Heard there’s going to be a big party.” Caleb throws three patties of meat on the grill, and then returns to the window.
I hang up another order while saying, “Still working on my apartment. I want to get it finished this month, so it’s crunch time. No time left for much else. You should go to the spot. I bet it will be a blast!” The spot is a place in the woods off of one of the main roads in Bronze Bay. It’s cleared for the most part and it’s a never-ending tailgate party every single weekend. Usually there’s a bonfire, someone ends up burning themselves, a dozen throw up in the woods, and at least one couple gets caught having sex by the canoe docks. I went a time or two when I was younger and I was shocked enough to stay away after that. Some nights the cops bust it up, other times they join in the debauchery. That’s the charm of a small town. It’s also the curse of it.
“I can help at your apartment. Got a set of hands that are at your disposal,” Caleb replies, while laying cheese over the crackling meat.
I clear my throat. “That’s okay. My Dad helped with the more in depth woodwork, and now it’s stuff I can handle. Thanks for offering, though. I appreciate that.” Because of my skills in tinkering with airplane engines, I’m really good with all household projects. I only needed my dad to help install the cabinets. I made them on my own.
Caleb’s smile falls. “Oh,” he grunts.
Damn basic bitch guilt. “Maybe another time though?” I add, internally groaning.
He brightens. “Sure thing, Caroline. Hope you get everything finished and it comes out how you want it.”
Sighing while simultaneously smiling, I turn back to the bar and fill a few glasses while checking on my customers. Pocketing a couple tips, I wipe off the counter and Shirley catches my eye. She’s leaning overhistable, elbows bent, butt in the air. She’s laughing, presumably about something he said, but his face is flat, no telling signals if he’s welcoming of her attention. Sipping his mug of coffee, his eyes leave her face and his gaze finds mine. Steely. Magnetic. A knowing smile tilts his mouth and just like that he turns to reply to Shirley.
Taking a deep breath, I realize I’ve been holding my breath while staring at him. I startle when someone lays a hand on my back. “You can leave whenever you want, sugar. I know you’ve been here since before the breakfast rush,” Mama says, patting my back. At the reminder, my feet ache a bit.
“Why are you here so early? Is Daddy still at the airport?” I tell her, hugging her quickly before clearing Bob’s plates and taking the twenty dollar bill he left under his plate. I talk to her while I cash out his tab, and pocket my tip. She tells me about her day with her friend Gloria. I love that I can help out here when she needs me. It’s what I’ve always known. The diner is my safe haven.
“Daddy’s there. He’ll be there all night tinkering with heaven knows what. He said the apartment upstairs is almost ready. Y’all going to finish it this weekend then?”
Shaking my head, I tell her all we have left to do as excitement swells in my chest. Finally, a place of my own. A place I already love. It’s two-thousand square feet of space above the enormous airplane hangar on our property. I’m about to tell her about the shade of white I picked for the exposed brick wall when Shirley saunters over to us. “Did Caroline tell you about my new boyfriend?” she coos at my mom.
I roll my eyes and wipe the counter. Again. Carl waves, and I wish him a good day.
Mama laughs. “Which one now?” she asks, humoring my friend who she’s known almost as long as she’s known me. It’s been a friendship of a lifetime. I never left after high school and neither did Shirley. It was for different reasons, though. I love the airport. And flying. And I could never leave Bronze Bay behind because of it. The airport will be all mine one day soon. I’ve already taken over almost all of the business aspects. Shirley stayed because although she was smart enough for college, it wasn’t anything she wanted. After that decision was made, staying made the most sense.
“His name is Tyler, he works at the new base off Island Run Trail and,” Shirley says, jerking her head in his direction, “he’s single.”
I sigh. “Of course he is. Look at him. He doesn’t look like the type of guy that keeps a woman. Not one, at least.”
“You’re such a sorry sport, Caroline. One day you’ll realize what you’re missing,” Shirley says, her lip turning up in a snarl. “I’m going to ask him out,” she finishes, her chin high.
“You should. He’s perfect for you,” I return.
My mom nudges me with her shoulder. “Why don’t you ask him out instead?”
Shirley laughs and I turn to look at my mother dearest. “Not you too!” I nearly shout. “Come on. I can’t catch a break.”
Beside me, Caleb appears his dirty apron hanging over one arm. “Everyone thinks you should go on a date then, huh?” he asks, his voice low, stance wide. “I tried!” He exclaims.
“Oh, Caleb, honey. It’s not you. It’s her,” Shirley says, turning her charm onto the short order cook. I have to give her credit. She’s a horny chameleon. I’m used to everyone discussing my lack of relationship status. That’s nothing new. If it gives them something innocent to talk about, so be it.
Mama saves me by making small talk with Caleb about his upcoming shifts, and Shirley clears one of her other tables.Tyler, I think. My best friend doesn’t get a chance to ask him out. He stands and his sheer size is overwhelming. More than one person turns to look in his direction.
