We get comfortable in bed and I throw onBrooklyn 99, one of our go to comfort shows. We spend the next hour watching the show, laughing and joking. As I fall asleep, a wave of contentment wash over me.
Chapter Ten
Harper
Therestoftheweek goes by in a blur. Winnie came home earlier in the week, and I was thrilled to have him back. His face looked a bit rough but he’s looking much better. We won’t mention the cone of shame he was required to wear since he kept scratching his face. Silly goose.
It’s finally Thursday, and I’m proud of myself for not cancelling on this coffee date. Xavier and I have been talking on and off throughout the week. He tells me little stories about himself, the animals he has, and how he came to have them.
I've been working on solidifying my schedule for the next couple weeks as a distraction for my nerves. Thanksgiving is next week, then it’s two and a half weeks until Christmas. I gently remind myself I will be taking those two weeks off, no matter what. I willnottalk myself into taking on a heavier load just so I can get ahead.
Now here I am, in my closet looking at the pile of clothes I’ve tossed on the floor after trying them on. “Come on Harps, get it together, it's just coffee.” I tell myself while I look into the mirror. I’ve currently got my hair in curlers, some light neutral make up with my go-to deep red matte liquid lipstick. Currently, I’m wearing a pair of boyfriend style jeans with a black tank top. Reaching for my lucky red plaid sweater, I hesitated slightly. Coffee iscasual. I remind myself as I grab my sweater and toss it on. I’m giving myself a final look in the mirror when my alarm goes off on my phone, warning me that if I don’t leave in the next ten minutes, I’ll be late.
I swear, if I didn’t set alarms, I’d get so wrapped up in whatever I’m doing and be late. Being late today is not part of the plan. Deciding I’m happy, I grab my favorite pair of black combat boots and quickly run to the en-suite to take the curlers out. Some hair spray and hair tossing later, I’m giving Winnie a kiss and a dental treat before racing out the door.
I arrive at Ruthie's five minutes before our agreed upon time, and I silently pat myself on the back. I make my way into the diner. It’s quiet, the silence full of anticipation for the coming dinner rush. The waitresses are restocking when the bell above the door rings, announcing my arrival.
“Hi, sweetpea!” Ruthie yells from behind the counter as she puts a fresh pie in the display. I return her greeting with a smile. “Hi Ruthie! How’s the diner been today?”
She waves her hand dismissively. “Oh, you know how it gets. It wasn’t too long ago since you were my top waitress here. Running circles around these old bitties.”
“Nice, Ruth.” Denise scoffs with a shake of her head, but I catch the little smirk on her face as she reloads the napkin dispenser.
“Now, what brings you here without your partner-in-crime?” Ruthie asks, grabbing me a coffee cup.
“Actually,” I start. “I’m going to be taking my drink to-go today, Ruthie, but I’m not ready to order just yet.”
Ruthie’s eyes shoot up both in surprise and with questions. Before I get the chance to reply, the bell above the diner door rings again. I don’t turn around because there is no way he’s here yet. No one ever shows up on time. After all, Dalton had always made me wait almost fifteen minutes past the time we planned to meet.
“Hey there, Ruthie. How is Mrs. Noris doing?” A voice says from behind me, the low timber making me press my lips together in anticipation. Quickly, I spin around and find a six-foot-something man wearing jeansand a dark green hoodie. He has a black baseball cap casually tossed backwards on his head. I don’t know what it is about a man who wears his baseball hat backwards that makes me drool.But holy hell. When my eyes stop on his face, his piercing blue eyes are staring back at me. There’s a little smirk on his face, and he gives me a once over as he comes to stand at my side.
“Oh, she’s doing just fine, dear,” Ruthie says with an endearing look on her face, a sly smile forming on her aged lips as she sees us together. “That cat I tell you, stubborn as an ox! She hated going in that carrier to go to the clinic, so I got the cold shoulder when we got home.”
Xavier chuckles. “You know Ruthie, I’ve told you a million times. I can come to your house if it’s such a struggle for Mrs. Noris. It’s just a check up.”
“Bah,” she says with a wave of her hands. “I can handle her, it's fine. Now enough about me, what can I get you today? Some pie?” She leans on the counter, pointing at the pie case. “I just made this one fresh out of the oven! Or do you want some of my hot apple cider, I know it’s your favorite”
“You like hot apple cider too?” I say in surprise. “I don’t see many people drinking it. I love it in the fall around Thanksgiving, it just makes the season so much better.” I’ve started playing with a napkin on the front table.
“It’s my favorite fall drink actually, but I’ll only get it from Ruthie.” When I look up, he’s giving Ruthie a grin and a wink. I smile to myself, then notice he’s looking at me again. “Should we get two hot apple ciders to-go then?” My smile stays as I quickly nod my head. I reach to grab my wallet and get a bill to pay for my drink. When I get it out, Ruthie is already giving Xavier some change, and I slip the bill back into my purse. He turns, handing me one of the hot drinks. “Shall we?” he asks, motioning for the front door.
A soft smile forms on my lips as I get up to follow him out of Ruthies. We stand on the sidewalk for a moment, and the silence between us is louder than the noise all around.
“Soooo,” I start, peeking at him through the corner of my eye.
Xavier chuckles softly to himself. “Well, we have a few options here.” He pauses briefly, facing his body toward mine. I mimic his movement before he continues. “We could go out for a hike.”
I snort. “Right. Because that went so well for me last time.”
“Fair enough. Well then, that brings us to option two. What are your thoughts on ducks and goats?”
My heart picks up its pace. Is he suggesting we go to his hobby farm? The answer is absolutely yes. I try to calm my emotions because I don’t want to come on too strong with my eagerness.
“I mean, I haven’t met any in person before, so I don’t have many thoughts.”
“Would you like to meet some?”
“Uh, yes please!” I squeak out with such excitement, I start to bounce with energy before I catch myself. “Sorry.” I clear my throat, and quickly school myself before looking back up to him. “Should I follow you out there?”
