Page 93 of Finding My Charming

Sherrie met my eyes while I reached for it. I didn’t check the screen at first.

What if it is Ari or my mom? This would be a lot of build-up for the wrong person. I’d probably laugh about it, though. Tomorrow. Or next week.

She gave me one short nod so I dropped my eyes to the screen, and there it was. A message from Dallin saying he would be outside at five. He also said that he’d missed me. I squealed and reread that part aloud for Sherrie.

“Sounds like someone is going to have a very good night.”

She turned back, giving me a tiny bit of privacy to lose it.

He missed me? That has to be a good sign.

I wished the last three hours of work would fly by, but of course, they hadn’t. I’d read through the magazines sitting on the tables in the lobby, but they failed to keep me occupied.

When Sherrie stood and began collecting her things, I almost got mad at her for leaving me early, but she pointed to the clock with a smile.

“Good luck, Elle.” She turned and walked out the front door, leaving me to have a last-minute panic attack alone. It was 4:55, so I stood and hurried to the restroom to make sure my hair and makeup were under control. I hadn’t carried a brush or backup supplies with me, so I was left with a few attempts at finger-combing and some lip balm. It was going to have to be good enough.

I repeated to myself encouraging words and tried to slow my breathing so I wouldn’t come out panting just in time to see him. Once I had my bag in hand and shut down my computer, I decided it was time.

Only a few people were left in the office, so I waved to them on my way out. I opened the door and stepped onto the sidewalk. It was a clear, sunny day, and I wished, not for the first time this week, that I had more time this summer to enjoy my break from school. Even one day a week would be enough for me. Maybe I could try to talk my dad into that arrangement.

“Elle!” I turned to the sound of my name and watched Dallin jog across the street in my direction. When he got closer, I walked forward and met him for a hug. I’d missed him so much.

It’s amazing how long two days can feel when I know what I’m missing out on.

No more wasted time.

I stepped back and smiled up at him. His beard was looking scruffy today, and I reached up to his cheek before I realized what I was doing. “Hi, Dallin.”

He leaned into my palm and seemed to enjoy my attention. “Hi, Elle.”

His eyes held mine for a few more heartbeats before he stepped back and reached out his hand. “I know you asked me to go out tonight, but I thought of a place I want to take you. Is that okay?”

He could have asked me to run away to the jungle to live with monkeys, and I wouldn’t have turned him down. I silently nodded and took his hand.

Dallin led me to his car, and twenty minutes later, he pulled up to a tiny square restaurant that looked like it’d been around since the dawn of time.

“I know it doesn’t look like much, but they have the best mac and cheese in the state.”

I nodded again and hoped he couldn’t tell how confused I was.

He drove this far out of the way for a bowl of mac and cheese?

I was a fan, but this place didn’t look worthy of bragging rights. But he hadn’t led me astray yet, so I got out of the car and joined him before walking across the cracked parking lot and into Pete’s Diner.

The outside did not do this place justice. The red-vinyl booths and checkered tables were straight out of a 50s’ sitcom. It looked like everything was original and incredibly cared for. I felt the need to apologize for my initial judgment, but maybe it had been done on purpose. Perhaps the exterior scared away the tourists and kept the restaurant open for those lucky enough to know its secret.

We each ordered a root beer and a bowl of their famous pasta. Dallin only went on about their homemade drinks and desserts for a few minutes before growing serious.

“You asked me to come out tonight, and I’ve kind of taken things over. Sorry about that.”

I sipped on my cold root beer and sighed with contentment. “It’s no problem. I’m really glad you brought me here.”

He seemed to relax a little into the booth.

“I actually wanted to talk to you about something.” I watched his face harden like he was going into defense-mode. Maybe those words really weren’t the best to say to a guy.

“Oh? What is it?”