Page 23 of Healer’s Betrayal

Cole nods. “Yes. Kayla?”

I look up at our waiter. “I’ll take the lasagna please.”

“Excellent choice. That comes with our house Italian salad. Is that okay?”

I nod. “Yes, thank you.”

Cole orders the chicken Alfredo, and Craig takes our menus and disappears. Cole looks across the table at me. “So, how is it working at Mama May’s Café?”

I smile. “It’s good. The people are nice, the food is great, and the hours are perfect for me. I’m really thankful for it.” Knowing I don’t want him to ask too many questions on this first date and find out all about my past, I redirect the conversation. “How about you? Did you always want to work on cars?”

He tells me about wanting to work on cars since he was a little boy and how his dad was a car mechanic before he passed away. The bread comes, and it’s as amazing as Cole said it would be. Then comes the salads and eventually, our main courses. When I’m so full I can barely breathe, Cole pays the bill. “Here.” I hold out a few twenties to him, but he doesn’t take them. “I’ve got it.”

“Are you sure?” I can’t help but ask.

He nods, signs the receipt, and leaves it for our waiter. “I asked you out on the date, remember?”

“Well, can I at least leave tip?”

“Sure.”

After that, we head out to the front of the restaurant. Outside, it’s still warm and muggy; but I breathe it in and smile. “That was a great meal; I am so stuffed. Thank you.”

Cole smiles at me. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. Those two guys that were at the café...they give you any more problems?” he asks as we walk to his car.

His random question surprises me. “No. Butch told them they can’t come back.”

“Really? Were they that bad?”

I shrug. “I don’t think so, but it’s not my call to make.”

He takes that in. “Have they bothered you any more since then?”

“No.” I turn to him. “Why do you want to know?” I’m more curious than anything. We’re at his car now. I wait for him to unlock it before I open my door and slide into the passenger seat. Once he’s settled behind the wheel, I ask again. “Why were you asking about them?”

He pulls out of our parking spot and drives out of the parking lot. “They were inside tonight.”

My eyes widen. “Inside the restaurant?” He nods. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

He shrugs. “I was keeping an eye on them. Any idea why they showed up tonight?”

“I have no idea.”

“Did you tell them where we were going tonight?”

I turn to him in surprise. “No. I didn’t even know where we were going, just that it was Italian. And I don’t know those guys; I certainly didn’t tell them I had a date tonight.” I don’t know what to say after that, so I don’t. My mind is still reeling with the fact that the men were there tonight, but after a little bit, I see the simple explanation behind it all. “There aren’t a ton of restaurants around. I’m sure it’s just by coincidence that they ended up at the same restaurant as us.”

“What if it’s not?” Cole asks.

“I’m sure it is. If it wasn’t, they would have approached us or something.” Wanting to change the subject, I ask, “Do you have an early morning tomorrow?” A few minutes later, he pulls into the neighborhood where he picked me up. “This is good right here. Thank you.”

“Do you want me to pull into the driveway?” he asks.

“No, I’m good. Thank you for an amazing date tonight. I had a really good time.” I open the door and put a foot out.

“Wait.” He snags my hand. “I had a really good time too. I’d like to have another date with you.”

His words surprise me; I don’t know why. I mean, I had a good time as well. I’m just not sure I want a second date. But really, there’s no reason for me feel that way. I realize, belatedly, that he’s waiting on an answer. “Sure,” I manage to say. “I’d enjoy that.”