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Chapter 4
Tyler
I’ve spent most of today wondering how the woman is feeling and kicking myself for not getting her number.I had her phone in my hand.Hopefully, she shows up at the restaurant.
With my keys in one hand and my hat in the other, I step out of my cabin.
Kent waves as he walks toward his.“Where are you headed all dressed up?”
Not wearing a T-shirt counts as dressed up, I guess.“I have a date.”
I haven’t mentioned what happened last night to anyone, and I’m not sure why.But Kent is level-headed and helpful, and I could use some advice.“I met her last night when Dag ditched me at the party.”
“Of course he did.”He shakes his head.
“It worked out though.I mean, I hope.Unless she doesn’t show.”Giving voice to the doubt in my head makes me less sure that she’ll be there tonight.“The situation was a little embarrassing.And...well, I’m not sure how tonight will go.”
He quirks an eyebrow.“Something bothering you, Tyler?”
“Maybe.”I lean on the porch rail.“When I met her, I thought she’d had too much to drink.But I’d been watching her.I know that sounds creepy, but I noticed her.Cute.Fit.And she kept leaning around people to look at me.Anyway, she was drinking a soda.I even saw her open it, so it wasn’t as if she spiked the can with something else.”
“And you’re wondering...”Kent crossed his arms, waiting for me to find my point.
“I have no proof that someone slipped her something, but what if that’s what happened?I guess I’m not sure if I should bring it up.”
Kent furrows his brow.“Well, hmm.On the one hand, mentioning it might trigger a memory of someone handing her an open drink or make her more aware in the future.But then, if you can’t prove it, bringing it up might only be troubling for her.”That’s a lot of words from Kent.“Wish I could be more help.”
“What you said is helpful.Gives me something to think about.And could you keep this quiet?”
“Sure thing.”He nods toward his cabin.“I’ll catch you later.Hope it goes well.”
“Thanks.”I climb into my truck.
I’m leaving nearly an hour before I have to be there, but I want time to stop for flowers.
It’s weird that I don’t know her name.That guy called her Jazzy, but then she said it wasn’t her name.Because of what she yelled from inside, I’ve been calling her Bottle Caps in my head.
It takes about a half hour to get to the restaurant, but even with the stop for flowers, I’m twenty minutes early.
The dining area isn’t crowded, and I lay the yellow roses on a table and slide into the booth.From here, I can see both doors and a good chunk of the parking lot.Sitting here alone with flowers is garnering me looks, but who cares?
I only care that she shows.
It might be awkward at the beginning, but hopefully we’ll get past that quickly.The benches are hard, not meant for relaxing.But I stay in my seat, watching.Cars drive in and out of the parking lot.Minutes tick by, and at six, I’m still alone at the table.
She could be running late.
That’s not the case.But I’m not ready to give up yet.
Kent is right that mentioning the idea of someone spiking her drink might only disturb her.And that’s the last thing I want to do.
After waiting another half hour, I’m sure she’s not coming.Maybe she didn’t remember making the date, or when she woke up this morning, she decided I wasn’t her type.Those guys in golf shorts might’ve been more her speed.
She didn’t act that way last night.
I sit for another thirty minutes, then order chicken strips.There’s no reason to go home both hungry and disappointed.
While I eat, I keep an eye on the people walking into the place.But the brunette doesn’t show.It’s time to go home.
