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There was a lump in my throat. It wasn’t just the leg. It was everything—exposing my vulnerabilities, the fear of rejection, the longing for a connection that I hadn’t felt in so long. It was an enormous weight to be carrying into my first official date.
“Just… nothing, I guess… I just needed someone to react exactly as you did just to prove that not everyone is shit.”
He chuckled. “I’m just being honest.”
“Well, thank you.”
We bumped fists and exchanged grins, and somehow, my doubts about the date lifted.
“You want to get in a ride while you’re up here?”
I glanced at my watch. “I probably need to get back.”
He cleared his throat. “Is there… I mean… would it be okay if I askedyousomething?”
“Shoot.”
“Hi!” a voice exclaimed and both of us turned to the left as Quinn strode across the yard, his skin-tight jeans and sparkling cerise sweater at odds with the practical boots he wore and the bucket he held. “What’s up?” he asked, casting a concerned glance between his fiancé and me.
“Nothing.” Levi stood immediately, as if he wanted to make it a point that he hadn’t been sitting with me chatting about whatever was on his mind.
“You looked all Secret Squirrel,” Quinn summarized. “Is this wedding stuff?”
“No,” Levi muttered, “not everything is wedding stuff.”
Quinn chuckled and pressed his free hand to Levi’s chest. “It’s okay, Grumpy; I was joking.” He went up on his tiptoes to kiss Levi, then sashayed away, the bucket swaying next to him, turning to wink at us.
Levi smirked, and we exchanged glances.
“Go.” I shooed him off. “I have grading to finish way before the big date.”
He sent me a grateful look, then sprinted after Quinn.
Hell, I wanted someone who sprinted afterme. “Because it won’t be us sprinting, eh Stumpy?” I tapped my knee, talking to the prosthetic as I sometimes did, as if it was this sentient part of my body. “Let’s get out of here and make ourselves look pretty.”
I turned up at the diner at seven.
Well, actually, I hovered in JJ’s while Abby was trying to close up, because I was ten minutes early for the date, but that wasn’t the point.
At seven, I knocked on the diner door, on crutches, no wheelchair, standing in the snow as if I wasn’t feeling wobbly, and Noah let me in, fussing over how cold it was outside. I waved him away, even though I was frozen, and thanked the heavens for the insulating layers on my prosthetic and knee.
“I’m just…” He thumbed behind him just as the scent of garlic wafted my way. “Follow me.”
“Hi, Mr. Sheridan.” Fox caught my attention from where he was sitting at one of the tables at the front, homework spread out around him, which for a teacher, was one hell of a gratifying sight.
“Hi, Fox. Call me Chris when…” I waved at the diner, and caught Noah throwing me a smile. That simple smile made me feel warm from the inside, and I forgot all about being cold.
“So, you’re Chris when you’re on a date with my dad?” he said, blinking innocently.
I huffed a laugh. “Yeah, that.”
“I’m just going upstairs.” He scooped everything up, stuffing it into a backpack, which he slung over his shoulder. “I’m Face-timing Clarke and Ainsley…” He frowned, then he stopped by me. “Mr. Sheridan—Chris—if I was worried about something at school, would I need to book an appointment to see you?”
“I’m open to chat any time,” I reassured him. “Is everything okay?”
He seemed confused with what he was going to say. “Yeah, it’s not… I’m not sure… yeah. Later.” Then, he was up by the serving hatch, taking a tray laden with snacks, drinks, and a covered plate of whatever Noah was creating, from his dad’s hands. By the time I got there as well, he was already on his way out.
“I’m not coming down anytime soon. I’m playing games online—just with Clarke and Ainsley.” He added that for his dad’s benefit when he opened his mouth to comment. “And then bed. I’ll have my headphones in!” He threw all of that as he headed into the hall and the door swung shut behind him.
