Page 10 of Learning to Love

He rolls his eyes, "Just stating a fact, darlin'."

"Why did you act like you didn't know him?"

He smiles an all-teeth kind of grin. "Just to piss him off."

"What position does he play?"

"Quarterback."

Ohhhhhhh. "I see."

"Do you?"

"Yes. What's not to see?"

Apparently done with this part of our conversation, he turns on the radio, and some old school country music fills up the uncomfortable silence in the car. I clear my throat. "What do you want to eat?"

"I was thinking pancakes."

"You talkin’ dirty to me? I didn't bring my wallet, and you made me come, so it's your treat!"

"I don't make the pretty girls pay."

I laugh and blush just a little only a little actually means a lot. "I bet you say that to all the girls."

"Only to my Mama."

"You a Mama’s boy?"

"I am. She's pretty great. You'd like her, I think. She's sweet but keeps me in line."

"That's good. Wow, who knew? "The Jake Ryan" could be so sweet." I put his name in finger quotations.

He laughs. "Tell anybody, and I'll deny everything. Can't be seen as weak to my opponents."

We make it to my favorite diner, and I jump out quickly. I'm hungry, and since this isn't a date, I'm going to eat. We're just friends, and we will never be lovers. Did I just say, lovers. Am I 100?

Chapter 6

Pancakes and Dancing

Once inside the diner, we wait patiently for the hostess to seat us. "Hello, guys. Welcome to Frankies. Booth or table?"

He looks at me, but I shrug. I don't care. I want some pancakes, man! She is wearing a 50s style uniform. Her blonde hair is piled high in a ponytail with elaborate curls framing her narrow face and her lips are a bright ruby red shade.

"We'll take a booth, please." He finally answers.

She saunters, swaying her hips in an exaggerated motion. I roll my eyes at her. Really?! We're not on a date, but she doesn't know that. Why are some girls like that? She lays our menus down and runs a finger down his arm. "If you need anything, hun, just let me know." Then she winks at him! She winks!

"Oh, we will, hun!" I say in exasperation. She huffs and rolls her eyes at me. She walks away without another word with her hips in full swing.

He laughs at the expression on my face as I sit down. "You jealous?"

I stare at him, not hiding my annoyance. "You wish. I don't know you well enough to be jealous of her skankiness. And in all seriousness, this is not a date, but she doesn't know that. That's what’s irritating. You better not give her a big tip!"

I fold my arms across my chest and stare after her, making him laugh. His eyes are shining with amusement. That makes my stomach do a flip flop. I smile up at him, then quickly look down at the menu. He's too handsome. Jake is still staring at me and I can feel the intensity of his heated gaze. "You're not like most of the girls that I know.”

I wasn't sure what would come out of his mouth next, but it wasn't that! I look up again. I am more intrigued than nervous at this particular moment. "Care to elaborate?"