Thelma cupped her hand around my arm and leaned in to whisper. “Austin just sat down at your table. You want me to take him?”
A fire sparked to life in my belly. Just hearing his name was enough to make my hands shake with anger.
“Yeah, thanks. I’ll take your next customer.”
I avoided Austin as much as possible, not even giving him the satisfaction of acknowledging his presence as I checked on my tables, but I could feel those blue eyes of his following me around. There was a time those eyes made me melt. Now they just made me cringe with regret.
The lunch crowd slowly faded until there were only two people left, Austin and Charlie. I knew Charlie only stayed to make sure I would be okay, but his eyes kept going to his watch.
“You better get going if you want that peach cobbler warm,” I said.
Charlie eyed Austin warily. “I don’t mind staying until you get off your shift.”
“Ben’s here, and you know he’s looking for any reason to get into a fight. If Austin messes with me, he’ll be out the door in seconds.”
“You sure?”
I pecked him on the cheek. “Of course I’m sure. Now don’t keep Grandma Hattie waiting, or you’ll be in trouble.”
He grinned at the thought. “Nothing wrong with getting into a bit of trouble every now and then.” Pulling out his wallet, Charlie left two twenties on the table. “Keep the change.”
“That’s way too much.”
“I’ve got no kids or grandkids to spoil, so let this old man treat you from time to time.”
I responded with a hug. “Only if you let me cook you dinner tonight.”
“You have yourself a deal, young lady.”
Charlie left, and I went out back to do side work. After I finished, I looked up at the clock. Only ten minutes left on my shift.
Thelma came back with a look of guilt and pleading written across her face, and I knew what that meant: New customers had walked in, and one of us would have to stay later than usual.
“Yes, I’ll take them. I owe you anyway.”
She squealed. “Thank you so much. Oh, and Austin just paid, so he should be leaving soon…. but he does seem awfully sorry.”
“He should be.”
“Taylor, it was five years ago. Inhigh school.”
“Like time means anything in a small town.”
“True, but still, you should at least talk to him and hear what he has to say. Maybe he’s madly in love with you after all these years.”
I washed my hands and grabbed a paper towel. “On second thought, I’m not feeling well. Maybe you should take the last customer.”
She held up her hands in defense. “Alright, I get it… you’re not into local boys.”
I’m not intoanyboys.
“So, who do I have the pleasure of waiting on? And if you say Rick, I’m leaving right now.”
She side-grinned. “Out-of-towners, one dark and handsome but married. The other, intensely hot. And unmarried. No tan line where a ring should be, either.”
“Not interested.”
“They pulled up in a Mercedes…”
