AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Do you feel better yet?” I asked, changing the subject.
He sat up slightly, pressing his fingers into his temples. “I don’t know if it’s the mud or the painkiller, but I am feeling much better. Or, you know, it could be the company.”
“Maybe I should moonlight as a hangover fixer?” I asked, teasing.
“Around here you’d have your choice of customers. You could have your house in no time.”
We quieted, settling back into our mud, all talked out for now. I was almost drifting off to sleep when his voice roused me.
“I’ve had a crush on you since the day you walked into my restaurant,” Caspian said. “In my defense, you’re awesome. I’d have to be half dead not to notice how special you are.”
I turned my head slowly to look at him. He had his eyes closed and the corners of his mouth turned up in a hint of a smile.
“If we’re telling the truth and everything,” I said, “I’ve had a crush on you too.”
“That’s really, really good news.” Caspian opened his eyes to look at me. “The best possible news.”
“This is risky. Us, I mean.”
“I know,” he said. “But truffles like you don’t come around very often.”
“I’ve never met one,” I said. “Until you.”
“If I can pull a few strings with your boss and get you a night off next Sunday, can I take you out for a real date? Dinner and a movie?”
So we were really doing this.
“I’d like that,” I said. “But I hear my boss is a real hardnose. What if he won’t give me the night off?”
“He has a hard head, but his nose is practically jelly. He’ll let you out of work.”
“Sunday it is, then.”
We grinned at each other across the rims of our tubs.
Sunday wouldn’t come fast enough.
14
CASPIAN
The next week went by quickly. In the days leading up to our date, I’d racked my brain about where to take Elliot for dinner. The nicest restaurant within fifty miles was my own, and that was obviously not an option. We’d already been to the tavern. Not that I would have chosen it for a first date anyway. Here it was Sunday morning, and I still had no idea what to do.
I smeared a bagel with cream cheese. Aromas of coffee and toasted bread filled the quiet kitchen. After pouring myself a cup of coffee, I sat down at the island to enjoy my breakfast. I’d just taken my first bite when Sammie and Chloe came down the stairs.
“Good morning,” Sammie said brightly. “I’m going to make some eggs. You want some?”
“No, thanks. I’m good.” I wiped a smear of cream cheese from the edge of my mouth.
Chloe climbed up on the stool next to me and stared at me with her round eyes.
“What’s up, Chloe?”
“Nuffin.”
“Do you have Sunday school today?” I asked Chloe.
“I don’t know,” Chloe said.
