“That should work for me.”
“I’ll text you,” he says as he locks the screen once more. He glances at Penny and nods at her. “Thank you,” he says, grabbing the plastic bag off the counter. “Thea, I’ll be talking to you later.”
I nod in excitement as I watch him turn and head back to the door. I bite my lip as I swivel back to the counter on my barstool. Penny has vanished; off to tend to one of her tables.
This feeling is new. I’ve never been asked out before and never had much interest in dating, but Jake seems sweet and he definitely lucked out in the looks department.
After saying goodbye to Beth and Charlie and offering waves to Raquel and Penny, I head out of the diner. I feel like I’m floating as I start making my way back to Beth’s cottage. So much so, that I don’t even care that it starts raining halfway home and I end up soaked by the time I make it back.
The front door shuts gently behind me and I head down the hallway to my room for a change of clothes. I had planned to spend the day curled up on the porch, reading, but after a fresh set of dry clothes, I decide to call my best friend. I feel guilty that I haven’t talked to her much since I moved.
Raindrops pound the windows and make for a soothing lullaby as I climb onto my bed and pick up the phone. I dial Ireland’s number and put the phone to my ear, waiting to hear her voice.
“Hello?” she answers groggily, after the fourth ring.
Crap. She works the night shift and I’d forgotten about the time zone difference between us.
“Hey,” I say, my breath catching in my throat, “is this a bad time?”
“No,” she sighs, “I’m just annoyed.”
“What’s wrong?” I ask as I tuck my legs underneath me.
“Tucker’s being annoying.”
Tucker being her five year old miniature schnauzer. Ireland and I met during our junior year of high school when we both worked at the same little retail shop, specializing in home decor and clothing, and have been best friends ever since. There’s nothing quite like working the same dead-end job that brings people together.
“So, how is Driftbay?” she asks. “Tell me everything.”
“Well,” I start, “I’ve made a couple of friends here. They all work in Aunt Beth’s diner.”
Ireland playfully sighs on her end of the line. “You’re going to forget all about me.”
I laugh. “I could never!”
“So, you’ve made friends. What are their names?”
I tell her about Raquel, Penny, and Graham. I also mention Charlie and Aunt Beth, and she’s just as invested as Judith is now.
“I met a guy,” I say, almost nervously.
“OH?” Ireland asks, her voice an octave higher. She was always pushing me to put myself out there and try to meet someone.
I nod, as if she can see me. “We met on the beach right after I moved here and then I ran into him again today and he asked me to dinner.”
“That’s exciting!”
“I don’t know much about him, but I have a good feeling.”
“I’m really happy for you. He better be a good guy,” she says, “or I’ll fly out there and beat him up myself.”
I laugh and silence settles between us for a few moments.
“How are things back in Seattle?” I ask.
“Same as usual,” she sighs. “I miss you.”
“I miss you, too.” I pause. “I’ve been baking again. I’m having a lot of trouble sleeping and have been missing Mom a lot lately.”
