“Are you two chatting or homeworking over here?” Rochelle comes up, hands on her hips, looking at us accusingly.
“We’re working…” James says sweetly. He’s definitely a charmer.
She grins and shakes her head. I think the love she has for Nikki and James is probably bigger than the moon.
As the rain comes down a little harder, and with James counting out on his fingers, Rochelle’s about to leave when I ask, “Hey, Rochelle, any chance I could order two pepperoni pizzas to take away?”
The twinkle in her eye says she knows they’re not both for me.
“Sure thing, movie star.” She nods before heading to the kitchen, and I get back to helping James.
Dinner is on me tonight.
15
Nikki
I rush around as I always do at the end of my shift, making sure things are put away and the counter is sparkling so Rochelle has an easier time locking up. I don’t have to, but I know she appreciates it. It was one of the things my mom instilled in me. Always leave things how you would like them to be left for you.
“Here they are.” Rochelle comes through the kitchen and my mouth immediately waters. Sutton ordered two pizzas to take away, and my stomach growls just smelling them. I’m going home to a dinner of canned meat and peas, which sounds as appetizing as eating my own arm. “There’s that stomach again, girl…”
I try to brush it off. “I’ll be eating soon enough. You don’t need to worry.” I feel a strong connection to Rochelle. When Mom died, we had no one until Maribel turned up. Since that relationship didn’t work, I’ve been hesitant to lean on any other mother figure, but Rochelle is kind, warm, and loving. The kind of woman any child would want for a mother.
She nods, albeit reluctantly. “How are those bikes working out for you?”
“Oh, they’re great. Might be one of our best finds yet.”
“That noticeboard is your lucky board, I would say.” She grins wide as I smile in agreement, but then my stomach rumbles again, catching her attention.
“I’m fine.” I put my hand up to stop her offering me food again.
“Are you, though? Are you okay, darlin’?” Her voice is laced with concern, and I swallow. She looks at me knowingly. I could tell her. I could tell her all about my life, my father, my mother, how we ran away. But I swallow any words that threaten to escape.
“Yeah, Rochelle. I am. Everything will be okay,” I tell her with as much assurance as I can muster. Her frown is immediate, seeing right through me, so I ask, “Do you need me to do anything else before I leave?”
“No, darlin’, you always do too much. Go, take that boy home and settle in for the night. It’s just started to rain again.” I look out the window, seeing the heavy drops landing against the glass and my shoulders sink. James and I are going to get wet, but at least we have our bikes now.
“Ready to go, buddy?” I deliver Sutton’s pizzas to his table and get James to pack up.
“Where’re your bikes?” Sutton looks at me as he stands. This man at full height gives me butterflies every time. Today more so than ever, in his blue jeans that fit him too well and his white t-shirt that shows exactly how much time he spends in the gym. I don’t know how it’s possible, but he seems bigger and bigger every week. My eyes do a quick once-over as my heart rate escalates. As I look back up at him, he’s watching me. Shit. I never check out guys. A few guys in college, maybe, but that feels like a lifetime ago. Dating hasn’t been on my mind for a long time. I guess the fight for survival does that to a person.
But now, in this quaint town, in the family-friendly diner, where life has felt more secure, the woman in me starts to bloom. Sutton’s lips quirk, and my cheeks heat. I feel his hand then, his fingers touching mine by our sides. Our hands hidden between us, no one else can see, but a few of his fingers curl around a few of mine, and for a split second, I forget to breathe.
“Out back. Why?” I answer his question about a full minute late. James struggles with his bag, and I break our hold to help him out.
“You can't ride home in the rain. I'll put them in the back of my truck and give you a lift.”
I freeze a little, not expecting it. “Ahhh… you don’t have to do that.”
Sutton gives me a grin that doesn’t contain the usual sympathetic look most people offer.
“I know.”
“No, I mean, we can ride home.” I follow him out the back door and immediately come to a stop. The rain is a complete downpour, not just a little sprinkle.
“You’re not riding home in this. Stay here and hold the pizzas so they don’t get wet.” He moves to where the bikes are parked, picking up James’ in one hand and mine in the other and my mouth hangs open. His white t-shirt is almost immediately see-through, arms bulging from the weight of the bikes and his shoulders strong. I’ve never seen his movies, but I’ve seen the posters. They may be airbrushed, but his muscles are all his. “James, jump in the back, it’s unlocked.”
James runs out before I can stop him, and I stand under cover, holding the two hot pizzas that continue to make my stomach cave in on itself as I watch this all unravel. Sutton grabs him and lifts him up and inside before going back to the bikes, lifting them into the back, all the while getting completely soaked.
