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Jenni
Afterawarmshower and a quick freak out with my girls, I’m walking out of the front door of the B & B. When I turn left and see exactly what Danny meant by not being able to miss the diner. The building is painted in fluorescent pink paint with a purple trim and has a flashing light that sits on top of it; a gaudy contrast to the rest of the quaint little town. Also, it’s less than fifty feet from the B & B, so how I missed seeing that monstrosity last night, I have no idea.
As I push open the mirrored front door, a bell chimes out, and the room quiets as everyone stops their conversations to turn and look at the newcomer.
“She’s pretty.” An old man whispers.
“He’ll mess it up, she looks too sweet for the likes of him.” Comes from an older lady in the other corner of the room.
“I wouldn’t be extending any invites to Crochet Club anytime soon.” Another lady comments.
My cheeks flame as I stare around the room in shock, until my eyes land on a hunched over Danny with his head in his hands, sitting at a table in the center of the room.
“Hi there! I’m Amy, the hostess. Is this your first time here? Did you want to sit at the counter or would you prefer a table?” A petite bouncing blonde comes out of nowhere, handing me a menu, “Oh… are you by chance here to meet someone?”
“Uh… yeah, I think that’s him…” I say as I awkwardly point toward Danny.
“Danny, huh? Good choice. He’s a real looker, sweetheart too, with a great job. He’s on the police force, you know?” She continues rambling on as she leads me through the once again loud diner. Seems once they all know why I’m here, they have plenty to talk about.
“Thank you for the kind words, Amy. But she’s just here for breakfast, not a marriage proposal.” Danny’s voice interrupts, and I look up to find him standing tall in front of us.
“Oh… right… sorry about that. We just got a little excited.”
I didn’t even have to ask who the we she’s referring to is because the whole diner is now looking everywhere but at us.
“You made it,” he says as he accepts the menus from Amy, and pulls out a chair for me at the two-seat table.
“You were right, the diner is hard to miss.” I laugh as I ungracefully plop into the seat he is holding out. “What’s good to eat here? I’m suddenly starving.”
A big smile covers his face, “Well, I guess that depends on what you are in the mood for. I’m partial to Mom’s biscuit with bacon, egg, and cheese. They also have the best grilled cheese you will ever eat, and meatloaf that will turn even the biggest critic into a fan. If you have room for dessert, the coffee goes really well with a nice big slice of peanut butter pie.”
“Everything sounds delicious. I think I slipped into a food coma just listening to you.” I pull out my phone to glance at the time, not quite lunch time yet. “I think I’m going to try the egg biscuit you mentioned with a side of home fries.”
“Girl after my own heart, you want a coffee too, sweetheart?”
It’s a good thing I’m sitting down because the way he calls me sweetheart has my knees going weak.
“Yes, please.”
“Hey, Amy, we’re ready whenever you get a chance.” He calls out to the hostess, who I guess is also the waitress since she’s with the two old ladies who were making comments when I walked in.
“Sure thing, sugar. I’ll be right there.” She says while she winks at the two old ladies as she walks toward our table. “What can I get y’all?”
“Is it okay if I order for both of us?” he asks me while I nod in agreement. “We’re gonna get two of Mom’s egg biscuits, with crispy bacon, a side of home fries, and two coffees.”
“Coming right up.” I watch her as she places our order with the cook. She grabs two coffee mugs from behind the counter, and the pot of steaming coffee. She comes back to pour us both a cup, carefully placing them in front of us. “So, I don’t think I caught your name, or where you’re from.”
“Uh…” I begin, unsure of how to answer.
“Amy.” He groans.
“No, it’s okay, I don’t mind.” I tell him, placing my hand on his forearm before I realize what an intimate gesture it is. I quickly pull my hand back, a move that’s not missed by the sharp eagle eyes of Amy. “I’m Jenni. I’m a student at Monroe University. My friends are the players who were attending the NHL draft last night.”
“Oh, all those handsome boys with big appetites. We met them all yesterday. I didn’t realize you were with one of them.” She shoots a glare at Danny that causes me to chuckle.
“No, not like that. I’m friends with their girlfriends. We didn’t get here until late yesterday afternoon, so you must have met the guys before we got here. I’m sure they’ll be back in as soon as they get finished with their practice, especially if your food is as good as I’m told.”
Amy beams at the compliment, and gives me a smile. “So, how did you end up eating breakfast with our dear old friend Danny, the newest member of the Lighthouse Landing Police Department?”
