Page 8 of Finding My Charming

“Usually I’m the only one out here, so I have to plan according to how much free time I’ll have. You mock me now, but you’ll soon find the value of my years of training.”

I held up my hands in an expression of prayer and bowed slightly. “Yes, master.”

“Good girl.” She smiled and lifted out a few menus. “Take your pick.”

While I shuffled through the options, Sherrie answered a phone call. It was amazing how quickly she could turn on and off her professional voice.

I pulled out menus for Thai food, deli sandwiches, and an odd-looking organic place I wanted to ask about.

She finished the call and swiveled her chair toward me. “What did you decide?”

I fanned out my choices and pointed to the menu for Mad Guru. “What’s this place?”

She chuckled. “It looks weird, but it’s delicious. They have delicious veggie bowls and burritos.”

I scrunched my nose. “No wheatgrass or anything funky, right?”

“Of course not. I know better than to try to expose you to new cuisine. You ate grilled cheese sandwiches for every meal until you were seven.”

“They were delicious!”

Sherrie laughed and shook her head. “They were safe. You’ve always been the timid one of your sisters.”

That was truer than she may ever know. “You would be too if you grew up in my family.”

“I know, dear.” She winked and picked up the menu for Mad Guru.

Hmm… maybe she knows more than I thought.

“I’ll call in the order and have it delivered. Are you willing to try what I usually get?”

“Which is?” I had a very narrow food palette, and trying mysterious things was at the bottom of my to-do list, and she knew it.

“You’ll have to trust me.”

I narrowed my eyes at her but finally nodded. It was a good thing I loved her. Anyone else who might try to do that to me would get a cold shoulder for the next year.

Twenty minutes and three phone calls later, the door opened. A large black delivery bag with a crazy-looking guru preceded the person coming in. When I saw the face of the guy carrying my lunch, I instantly choked — literally began choking with nothing in my throat or mouth.

Sherrie shot me a knowing look and patted my back twice. “There, there, Elise.” She leaned over and whispered. “Pull yourself together.”

I stared at her for a moment while I caught my breath and scowled. Crazy lady.

Finally, I recovered enough to greet the person who had taken my breath away. “Hi.”

Great. I sputter and cough for a solid minute and that’s what finally comes out? I guess my options are limited, but I could have come up with something a tad more clever.

“Um, hi. Are you all right?”

His deep blue eyes met mine, and I almost started coughing again. Whoever this guy was had a dangerous effect on me. I cleared my throat and offered a smile.

Speak woman! “Yeah, thanks.”

I’d never been this hopeless in front of a guy before. One of the perks of the necklace was not having to worry about high school drama and boys. My necklace stayed clear so I did too, of guys.

He smiled back as if he might be as embarrassed by my odd behavior as I currently was.

“Well, here’s your order.” He sat the edge of the bag on the counter and unzipped it. “Two veggie burritos on spinach tortillas.”