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When Keegan’s ready, we set out down a flight of stairs behind the pub that leads to his truck waiting in the alley.
With a turn of the key, Keegan’s Toyota 4x4 roars to life, and he pulls out of the parking space and onto the main road.
“So, you go out to breakfast every morning?” I ask, trying to make conversation.
“Most days. I don’t cook, and I like this diner. Good people own it.”
I’m watching the town pass by as we make our way through the heart of it. “It’s such a cute town. I didn’t pay much attention yesterday.”
“You had other things on your mind,” he says. “We’re a small community of just over three-thousand people. We swell to twice that size in tourist season, but given we’re nearing the end of summer, things are about to slow down.”
“I bet that’s not good for your business.”
“It’s true that summer is the best time for the pub, but I stay busy enough all year through. We have our steady regulars, who want to come by for a pint or just some conversation. And the music brings in a good crowd on the weekends. My parents established roots in this community, and they’re sturdy ones.”
“I could tell last night that a lot of the customers were regulars,” I reply. “I like your pub very much, Keegan.”
He smiles, and I swear it could light up all of the Pacific Northwest. “Thank you, lass.”
Lass. Jesus God Almighty, that accent is ridiculously sexy. I’ve never been a woman to swoon over a foreign accent. Maybe it’s because I’ve spent a lot of time abroad with my family, and it just never did anything for me.
But Keegan’s accent is smooth and lyrical. Like the gorgeous music played in his pub.
He parks on the street in front of a retro-looking diner on the corner. It appears as if it’s been here since the town began.
When we walk inside, everyone looks up and waves at Keegan. It’s very much like the show Cheers, and it makes me laugh.
“So, you know everyone, then.”
He nods as we sit in a booth. “Small town, Izzy.”
“What’s good?” I ask as I look at the menu before me. “Is there a local favorite here?”
“The cinnamon rolls are a religious experience,” he says.
“You don’t have a menu.”
“No. I get the same thing every day.”
“And what is that?”
“Oatmeal with raisins and a side of toast.”
“You come all the way across town for oatmeal?”
“And coffee.”
I grin at him just as the waitress walks over to us. “Your usual today, Keegan?”
“Yes, please. And whatever Izzy’s having, of course.”
“I want two eggs, scrambled, some hash browns, and bacon. And a cinnamon roll.”
The waitress raises a brow. “You must be hungry.”
“I am.”
She fills both our cups with coffee and then wanders off to place our orders.
“How do you feel today?” Keegan asks.
“My feet are a little sore,” I confess. “I’m just not used to working on them, but I’ll adjust.”
“And how about mentally?”
I stir the creamer into my coffee, then take a sip and frown at him over the rim of the cup. “What do you mean?”
“You walked out on a wedding yesterday. I’m curious as to how you feel about it today.”
“Oh.” I take another sip and feel the caffeine start to flow through my veins. “Well, Troy texted me this morning and asked where he should send my shit, as he called it. So, I gave him the pub’s address. I hope that’s okay.”
“It’s fine.” He sips his black coffee. “And doesn’t answer my question.”
“I’m relieved. And I’m happy to be here. That’s all I know for now.”
“It’s a good start.”
I don’t want to confess that no one cares where I am today. That the only message waiting for me this morning was from my ex-fiancé, and he wasn’t at all concerned, just wanted to know where to send my stuff.
I’ve had crappy people in my life for a long time, and it’s only more glaringly obvious today. I don’t want to admit that to Keegan.
It’s embarrassing.
“Holy crap,” I say as the waitress returns with our meals. She’s carrying a huge tray on her shoulder, and I practically swallow my tongue when I see the size of the cinnamon roll. “This is huge.”
“Don’t worry, we can box up anything you can’t put away here,” the waitress says with a wink and then walks away.
“You’re going to help me eat this,” I inform Keegan, who just grins at me from across the table.
“That’s what I was counting on.”
* * *
“I can’t believe these words are about to come out of my mouth.” I’ve just buckled my seatbelt after the most delicious breakfast of my life, and I am pretty sure I gained fifteen pounds.
So worth it.
“But I have to stop at the store, or a Target, someplace for some essentials and snacks.”
