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“I’ll wait.” Absently, I add, “Good…I didn’t know if we—”
“I didn’t change my mind.”
“No.” I swallow. “Me neither. I brought clothes with me, to you know, to change into.”
He smiles at me with tenderness. He knows I’m nervous and doesn’t want me to be. “I’ll see you later, Charlotte. Don’t work too hard today.”
I don’t know how I keep myself from cartwheeling my way back across the street.
Not only did I bring a change of clothes, but I brought a toothbrush, a washcloth, make-up and hair products to transform myself after my shift. I’m aware that I often leave this place smelling like french fries, and today I want to look good without looking like I put in too much effort. I think this to myself as I rub the washcloth over my arms and neck and face, practically bathing myself in the sink.
Denny whistles when I come back out by the register, tossing my duffle on a counter stool. I still have about ten minutes to kill before Simon will be ready to go. “Hot date, Charlotte?”
I feel my cheeks redden. “If your idea of a hot date involves cramming for a Global History test at the library, then yeah…I have a hot date with Joseph Stalin.”
Thumping his dirty apron with a spatula, he says, “You tell him if he gets out of line, Denny here will trample his ass.” Marley doubles over laughing as Denny, truly bewildered, asks, “What did I say?”
When the bell rings to signal a customer walking through the door, the butterflies in my stomach kick it into high gear. I’m hoping that it’s Simon, but at the same time, I feel fiercely protective of this new and fragile thing between us. This is mine and I’m not entirely sure I want Denny, Marley, Daisy—or anyone for that matter—in on it.
“Good afternoon, officer,” Marley greets Wes. “Table or the counter?”
“Just here on business,” he says without taking his eyes off me. “Wanted to check and make sure you haven’t had any more trouble.”
Denny answers, “No trouble. And I don’t imagine we’ll be seeing that piece of trash walking the streets again, will we?”
“No, pretty sure he’ll never get out. He’s facing manslaughter charges now, in addition to four different assault indictments.”
I get up to leave. He can stay here and make small talk if he wants, but I’m out. I don’t appreciate the intrusion, don’t want him coming to my workplace.
“In a rush, Charlotte?”
“My shift’s over.”
He takes my elbow. “So, everything is ok?”
“Fine.”
He lets go but follows me out, and the timing couldn’t be worse. I pray that Simon understands the very slight shake of my head and my wide eyes as he exits the hardware store.Stay putI’m trying to tell him, but he either doesn’t understand or won’t comply.
Wes places a hand on my shoulder. I cringe, fighting the urge to physically shake him off. “I’m fine, Wes. Everything is good.”
“You’re not acting like everything’s good.”
“You don’t need to come around checking in on me. Don’t do it again.”
Wes starts to say something but Simon interrupts, “Hey, Charlotte, what’s up?”
“Nothing,” I say, going for light and casual. “Done for the day, heading to the library.”
He nods, looking to Wes. It’s a standoff, and for some reason Wes, with gun in holster and badge, caves first. Walking back to his police cruiser, he says, “You call whenever you need me, Charlotte, understand?”
Simon waits in front of the diner as I walk to the parking lot and throw my bag in the trunk. I stall, making sure Wes is gone and out of sight before I make my way back over to him.
“Will you follow me to the library? I’ll leave my car there.”
He nods his head in the direction Wes drove. “He’ll check on you?”
“I don’t think so, but I can’t be sure. He’s my brother’s friend—”
