“Tawney’s banana bread is pretty good, huh? I wonder what her secret ingredient is?” Emily taps her chin and her eyes veer up as I giggle. “Someday, I will sneak a peek when she’s whipping it up.”
“Don’t even try to figure it out. Mama always said dessert is meant to be eaten and enjoyed, not dissected and investigated.”
“I got you something.” Emily pulls out an envelope from her apron and hands it to me. “When you make it to the top and get your corner office, don’t forget about us little folk down here.”
“Oh, Em, you shouldn’t have,” I say, taking in her blonde hair pulled up high in a ponytail revealing her curls, brown eyes, and soft smile.
“Open it at home,” she says then gives me a hug. “It was cool having you around. You were a quick learner.”
“You were a wonderful teacher, considering I have never waited on tables before.”
“It was a rough start. Getting the orders wrong, spilling the drinks. But you caught on and I’m sure the regulars will miss your pretty face too.”
“I have to say, since I started, I think I gained at least ten pounds,” I say with a laugh. “So, leaving is probably a good thing for my waistline.”
Emily pats her ass. “Me and you both. I’m telling you, it’s the delicious food Landon whips up and Tawney’s desserts. My jeans barely fit.”
I sigh and give a small smile. “I hate to admit it. Although I disliked the late shifts, I’m going to miss working here.” I close my locker and tap my fingers on the magnetic name badge on the outside of the door.
“Listen, I better get out there. Gio is in my section and you know how needy he is.”
“Good ole Gio. Back to get his midnight snack, eh?”
“Honestly, I think he’s got a crush on Tawney.”
“I think so too!” I giggle.
“I think Tawney likes Gio too,” Emily says and lowers her voice as she looks over her shoulder, “but she’s too stubborn to admit it.”
“You may be right.”
“I overheard Tawney talking to him the other night, and he invited her to his winery.”
“Tawn deserves to be happy again.”
“Isn’t it funny how love just finds you at the most peculiar times? Gio strolled into this diner many months ago and has been our midnight regular since then. At first, I thought it was because he was lonely, but I think it’s because he found Tawney.” Emily looks at her reflection in the small mirror near the door, tucks a loose strand behind her ear, then turns to face me. “Maybe at the marketing firm, you’ll find your Gio?”
“I doubt it. I’m there to work. Besides, mixing business with pleasure is a hard no for me.”
“Well, I hope you find happiness either way. Don’t be a stranger,” she says, giving me a hug then exits the break room.
I sit for a moment in the plastic chair, offering my aching feet some respite before the walk home since my car battery died on me. I should call for an Uber, but I’m only five blocks away and the rain has stopped.
I make my way down the hall and peek my head inside the kitchen.
“Bye, Landon,” I quickly say as he flips a burger.
“You sure you don’t want to wait? I have a few more orders I need to fill, then I can drive you home. Mom and Em can handle it.”
“No, I’m good. But thanks, though. I could use the fresh air.”
“It may start raining again,” he says.
“It’s just water and I have an umbrella.”
He gives me a soft smile as I pick up a bag with my name on it. Emily’s pouring coffee in Gio’s cup and I see Tawney sitting at the far end booth talking to a man. The man is wearing a cap and his back is facing me and from what I can see, he’s not a regular. She laughs at something he must have said, and I don’t want to interrupt their conversation.
“Bye, Tawney,” I call out as I open the door and wave. “I’ll drop off the apron tomorrow after I wash it.”
“Bye, sugar!” Tawney bellows from the booth and waves back. “Don’t forget your banana bread I packed for you. Are you sure you don’t want to wait for Landon?”
“I would never leave without it, thanks. And it’s not that far to walk. I’ll be fine.” I raise the plastic bag, the handle around my wrist, and hot cocoa in my hand.
“Call me the moment you get in, Dee,” she calls out.
I open the silver swinging door one last time. “Yes, ma’am!” I yell over my shoulder, feeling the cool air waft over my face as the bell chimes and the door shuts behind me.
With the warm cocoa in my hand as I trudge uphill, I keep my eyes straight ahead. My feet move rapidly as I count the squares on the sidewalk to the end of the block, skipping over the puddles.
I’m grateful I made good tips on my last night and plan to pay a visit to the mall to buy a new power suit since I will meet Mrs. Cole on Monday and need to make a good first impression.
The pinch in my lower back tells me I need to soak in a tub of hot water and bubbles, and I look forward to trying out the new scent I got in the mail from Jenna. Her shop has done well since I helped with new graphics for her to advertise.
The crashing ocean waves provide a soundtrack for my walk. Several passing cars splash the water-filled potholes and an open window in the apartment above catches my attention only to hear a chattering conversation. I’m deep in thought about what I need to accomplish before starting my job, when I hear my name.
“Dee?” the low treble of a man’s voice calls from behind me.
“Jesus!” I squeal, jumping at least five feet out of my skin before dropping my bouquet and warm cocoa. I quickly pull out my pepper spray from my purse, point my weapon at him, and yell, “Stand back!”
“It’s me . . . Brody. Do you remember me? From the club?” he asks as he steps under the light of a streetlamp. Brody quickly raises one of his hands to the side and with the other, lifts the brim of his cap.
My breath catches as he steps closer. “W-what are you doing here?”
“You gonna put that thing away?” He motions to my pepper spray, still pointing at him.
“Not until you tell me what you want,” I say with my finger on the trigger.
“I promise I mean no harm. Are you heading home?”
“Why do you want to know?”
“I just want to make sure you get there safely, that’s all. I was just at the diner and heard you tell Tawney you were walking home. If it’ll make you feel better, call Tawney or Landon and ask about me.” He points his thumb over his shoulder toward the diner behind him. Then it clicks. He was the one sitting with Tawney in the booth.
“How do you know them?” I ask, lowering my pepper spray and tucking it in my purse.
“I grew up here and Landon and I went to school together.” He steps forward and hands me the bouquet I dropped on the ground then tosses the now-empty hot cocoa cup into the garbage next to the streetlamp.
“Sorry I scared you.” Brody stands in front of me with a boyish smile and his hands tucked in his pockets.
“You don’t need to walk with me,” I say. I take in a fortifying breath. My heart is racing and I’m not sure if it’s from him scaring me a moment ago or the newfound feeling that’s rooting deep in my belly, igniting something I can’t explain as the sparkle in his eyes locks onto mine.