AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Really?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. “They may get the wrong idea.” Clay smirked, a slight smile showing.
“Oh, come on, they’re adults. I’d love to see them. They were always nice to me. When's dinner?”
“Next Friday at four.”
“Well, perfect. A week and half to warn them I’ll be coming.”
His smile grew. “Alright, I’ll let them know to set another plate.”
I nodded with a smile right as the waitress set our drinks down. Clay reached for his coffee mug like his life depended on it. He took a long drink, almost downing the mug.
“Would you like a refill, sir?” the girl asked, watching as he set the cup down.
“Uh, just water, thanks.” He smiled up at her.
I rubbed my lips together. He was nervous, and it was adorable.
He cleared his throat. “Okay, so. . . I told you all about Seattle. Tell me about New York.”
I leaned in closer. “What do you want to know?”
“Is it everythingyouthought it’d be?” he whispered.
“And more,” I said honestly. He raised his eyebrows. “Look at me. Look at where I am. You know how they say the grass is greener on the other side? The grassisgreener in New York. Starting as a lowly designer for Harold Martin to having runway shows all over the United States and London to having my own storefront. None of this would have happened if I hadn’t gone to New York. The grass is definitely greener, Clay.”
“I’m proud of you, how far you’ve come. Never letting things stand in your way and never stopping. It’s a feat, and you’ve done it.” He grinned, avoiding looking at me. He played with his fingers and spun his empty coffee mug around on the table. Finally, after a few moments of silence, his eyes met mine. “Do you have any regrets?”
Only you. . .
“None whatsoever. My dreams have come true,” I said bluntly. I didn't mean for it to be harsh or even if he took it that way, but he rolled his lips and nodded, letting his hands fall onto his lap. “What about you? Any regrets?”
He was silent. He wanted to say something, I could tell, but he chose not to. I so desperately wanted him to open up to me. I wanted to know why he was lying, why he thought I couldn't know. Taking a deep breath, he finally spoke, leaving my question unanswered. “Have you heard back from JoAnn yet?”
I slumped. “No, not yet. She's busy, and Carter hasn’t really taken any photos of the dress as it is now. It’s still on the mannequin, and once Madeline gets in and she sees the Instagram posts, I’m sure she will say yes.”
“She’d be stupid not to.”
I opened my lips to respond, but the waitress dropped a burger and a plate of fries in front of us. I eyed the burger, watching as Clay slid the plate toward him, taking the toothpick from the bun.
“How much do you want?” Clay asked, not even looking up from the plate, grabbing his knife from the napkin.
I smiled. I didn’t even have to ask. He just knew I would want some. “Just a little bit,” I mumbled, my smile forcing its way through. Was I blushing? I could feel the heat in my cheeks from one simple question, one simple gesture, but would he be able to tell that I was blushing.
Clay cut the burger in half and gently slid a part on my plate, taking a few fries while he was at it. I chuckled.
“I said a little bit.”
“Yeah, but I know you. You’re going to want more.” He looked at me through his eyelashes, that same smirk on his lips.
“You’re full of smirks tonight,” I said softly, taking my half of the burger to take a bite. “Oh,” I mumbled, “That's delicious.”
Clay looked at me, the corners of his mouth up. “They don't make them like this in New York, do they?”
I shook my head. “I mean, yes. New York has some amazing burger joints, but this just hits the spot.”
“Everything hits the spot.” He took a bite and hummed in ecstasy.
“Told you.”
