Page 26 of Wine & Dine

“I was wandering the city as I’ve been doing for the past few days. I decided I needed to get out and see some of the famous places. I may never get to California again.”

His brow furrows at my statement, but he remains quiet.

“I turned a corner, and there was the diner. And it reminded me of home.”

“And it made you sad.”

“Sad is the wrong word.” I lower my gaze to the cup in hands. “It reminded me I’m alone. I don’t have anyone. I can’t count on Rusty, and Denton didn’t like the diner. He didn’t intentionally hurt me, but he made me feel like the place was a pit.” I sigh. “He’s right. It is. It needs a facelift, but I can’t afford it, which makes me feel like a failure at running my own business.”

His hand reaches for my covered ankle. “Hey, none of this. You own a business, right? Is it in major debt? Things happen, but there are always solutions.”

“I’m not in debt, but I’m not making a killing either. The locals love the diner, but the community is shifting. The brewpub down the way attracts much of the younger people moving into the area. The tourists find my place,visiting the diner nearly as old as the train depot because it seems like the trendy thing to do, but I can’t count on tourists for steady business.”

My palms absorb the heat from the mug, and I take another sip. My blood slugs through my veins as my body melts into the pillows at my back. I’m starting to warm.

Garrett’s lips twist like he’s considering a thought. “Tell me more about Rusty.” His tone deepens, a hint of a groan in asking.

“We’re nothing to tell. Honestly, we have sex. Ten years of only having sex. It’s a small town, and I’m over forty. Hell, I’m almost fifty. When he came onto me, I was vulnerable. He’s seven years younger, and I guess I had the cougar thing going when I met him at thirty-seven.” It sounds pathetic when I think about it.

“I’ve got no room to judge,” he tells me, jiggling my foot as he gives me a false smile.

“When my mother died, I saw his true colors. He didn’t even come to the funeral.” My head falls back, and I stare up at the ceiling. It’s hard to admit I mean so little to him.

“Were you close to your mother?”

“You could call it a love-hate relationship. She was one of my best friends, but she constantly had her moments when she didn’t hesitate to remind me she was my mother. Judgment was her middle name, next to bitter and alcohol.”

He nods as if he understands, but by the hints I’ve had of him with his mother and his sisters, I’d say he probably doesn’t. His eyes jump to the bottle next to the bed.

“Sorry about that. I just thought it would help.”

I don’t want to lie. Seeing alcohol sitting next to the bed made me think of Rusty. The constant bottle near his bed and the amount he would consume. But I also appreciate Garrett’s intentions. He really is trying to help me.

“You’re a good man, Garrett Fox.”

A hint of pink covers his cheeks, and he nudges my foot. “Now, don’t go ruining my reputation.”

I chuckle softly. “Somehow, I think you’ve ruined it all on your own.” I look down at the monogram on the thick robe. “Ritz-Carlton? Let me guess. Weekend rendezvous, and you stole it as a souvenir.”

“Ha-ha. I didn’t steal it. They allow you to take them and then charge you a small fortune for one.”

“You left out the weekend rendezvous.”

“She was expensive as well,” he teases, but then he flips onto his back and looks up at the ceiling. “I don’t want to share all my escapades with you, though.” His head rolls to the side to face me. “This isn’t about me tonight.” His eyes remain on mine as if he’s digging, as if he’s excavating for my soul. I swallow a lump in my throat.

How many women has he been good to like this?

“Want something to eat?”

“I’m not really hungry.” I stifle a yawn.

“Tired?” he asks, his voice softening. “I’m not judging, but you sleep an awful lot.”

I nod again. “I do. It seems I’m making up for years of not sleeping.”

“Are you depressed?”

“Maybe.” There’s nothing wrong with depression. I know many people suffer from it, and many women my age develop it. I just hadn’t considered it for myself.