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I’m sitting outside at the Whitefish Café, and I have to laugh. Who would’ve ever thought I’d wind up here for the third time in two weeks? If someone told me this would happen, I’d tell them they were crazy. But sure enough, here I am. It has been a week of surprises, to say the least. I wish I could say that I was upset about it, but I’m more excited than I thought. I can’t wait to hear what Brianna has to say, and I genuinely hope that she’ll say yes to my proposition.
The truth is, it’s not about the money. I’d pay Brianna whatever she needed to make it worth her while. I know she struggles and works hard, and if I can help her in any way I want to, but I know she’s too proud to accept a large sum of money. I hope I didn’t make her feel like a professional escort or even worse. That was never my intention.
&nb
sp; From the look in her eyes on Wednesday at the Mountain Brewery, I knew she was surprised. I liked it. I gave up trying to impress people years ago, but for a brief moment, I was satisfied Brianna was intrigued by my family history. Hopefully, she doesn’t get put off by it once we’re there.
I’m already getting ahead of myself.
Before coming to the café, we stopped off at Ethel’s, and I got Shark his favorite treat, which he’s currently eating. I soak up the sun and try to enjoy the later afternoon as I wait for Brianna to come to my table. I haven’t even seen her yet, and a part of me begins to worry that she took off today to avoid me.
Just as the negative thoughts are beginning to leak in, Brianna walks onto the patio looking flustered. She’s quickly tying her apron around her slender waist, and her hair is messy. It’s like she just got out of bed and I like the way she looks.
The manager comes out onto the patio after her, not looking pleased.
“That’s ten minutes late, Brianna,” the guy says.
“I know, I’m sorry,” she says. “My dad wasn’t doing well this morning.”
“That’s the perfect excuse,” the manager rolls his eyes and turns around and walks back into the café.
I’m seething by how he spoke to her. I want to get up and teach him a little respect, but she glances toward my table and gives me an apologetic smile. I smile back, trying to tell her everything is okay. As she runs back and forth, I can’t help but think that the stupid manager should hire more than one waitress for the lunch shift. Clearly, he’s trying to save a buck. I can’t stop thinking about what she said about her dad. There’s so much I don’t know about her, and it makes me think how ridiculous my idea is. But the point is, I want to know everything about her.
“I’m so sorry,” she says, bringing me a cup of coffee and glass of water.
“There’s nothing to apologize for,” I reply.
“It’s been a horrible morning, and I overslept on top of it all.”
“You handled it well,” I say, smiling. “You’re here.”
“Plus Callie was at my house way too late last night. We were up…discussing things.”
“Discussing my proposal?”
There’s guilt on her face, but also excitement.
“I don’t know why I thought we’d be slow today,” Brianna says, seeing two more tables in her section were seated. “I hoped we’d have more time to talk.”
“Well, it’s a gorgeous day out. Lots of people coming out to enjoy it.”
Her eyes meet mine. “So let me guess, the Reuben?”
I give her a mischievous grin.
“You can’t order the same thing for the third time!” she protests.
“Why not?”
“Because. It’s not good for you. The human body needs variety.”
There are others things that the human body needs which pop into my mind, but I don’t mention those.
“Well, I’ll put mustard on it this time.”
“No, no, no,” Brianna says, her strong will taking hold. “I’m getting you a kale wrap.”
“It might kill me.”
