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Mom came stomping out of the kitchen. “No! We are closing!”
“Uhh.” The stoner guy looked at his phone. “But it’s, like, not even nine. And your website says you close atnine.”
“The website is not the owner!” Mom scolded. “I am the owner! And I am telling you we are closing early! My daughter has a date!”
“Mom…” I hissed.
The stoner groaned. “Ugh. Chill out. I’ll go to Pizza Hut.”
“I could have helped you with the order,” I told my mom.
She made a dismissive gesture.
“I know we need the money,” I said. “We have to purchase a better grease trap for the flat-top, and replace the fire extinguisher we used in February.”
“Money, schmoney,” Mom replied. “Your date is more important.”
“I don’t think Jordan would approve of us putting off fire safety expenses.”
She pulled my head down toward her and kissed my forehead. “You have not been on a date in too long. It is important.”
I appreciated her prioritization, but I couldn’t help but feel a little guilty about turning away business. And it didn’t help that her excitement was putting pressure on the date itself.
I finished getting ready and then waited by the cash register. I drummed my fingers on the counter while scanning the street outside, hoping that every car that drove by would be Jordan. I didn’t know what he drove, aside from the big fire engine. And I doubted he would pick me up in that.
Although it would be funny if he did.
Finally, a grey pick-up truck pulled into the parking lot and pulled into a spot facing the door. “Okay, bye!” I called to Mom.
She came running out of the kitchen and kissed me goodbye. “Have a good time! And thinkgrandchildren!”
I felt her eyes on me while I walked out of the restaurant. I was only twenty-four. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, but kids didn’t factor into it at all. At least, not for alongtime.
One thing at a time,I thought while going outside.Focus on tonight’s date first.
Jordan climbed down from his truck to greet me. He was wearing jeans and a faded grey T-shirt that showed off his muscular frame nicely—especially his shoulders and arms. I breathed a sigh of relief. I wasn’t sure what to wear, so I had erred on the side of casual too.
“You look beautiful,” he said while opening the passenger door for me.
“I look like I spent ten minutes getting ready in the restaurant bathroom,” I said.
“It must be a hell of a bathroom, then,” he replied with a grin.
I smiled to myself and climbed into the truck. It smelled faintly of smoke—not cigarettes, butactualsmoke. He closed the door behind me, then went around to climb into the driver’s side.
“So what’s the plan?” I asked. “You mentioned getting a beer?”
He started the truck and twisted to face me. “I’ve got an idea. But only if you’re cool with it.”
God, he’s sexy. Jordan’s smile was so intoxicating, especially when it was aimed only at me, that I wanted to agree to whatever he had planned. But something in the way he said it made me hesitate. Like his idea involved somethingreallyout there.
“Depends what it is,” I said carefully.
“There’s a movie I’ve wanted to see for a while, and it’s only in theaters for another week. It’s the one with Emma Stone and Timothy Chalamet, and the theater serves beer…”
I blinked at him. “The new rom-com? Seriously?”
His smile faded. “If you don’t want to see it, we can do something else…”
“No! I definitely want to. I’m just surprised you do. I would have taken you for an action man.”
He put his arm across the back of my seat and twisted to look back while reversing. “I deal with fires all day. On my time off, I want to see something lighthearted.”
I laughed. “Hey, no judgment here!”
This is going to be a fun night, I thought as we drove away.
