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She nodded. “Wanna join me for lunch?”
“Absolutely.” Nick sat across from her, Pauline standing expectantly nearby, and once he ordered a Coke, she was off to do his bidding.
Hayley leaned in conspiratorially. “She doesn’t like me.”
Nick scoffed. “Who wouldn’t like you?”
“I’m telling you, I’ve been trying to find a perfect burger, and the woman keeps looking at me like if I eat too much, it’ll go straight toherass.”
Nick laughed, hard. “You’ll be fine.”
“What, because I’m sitting with the superstar of Columbus?”
“When Pauline comes back, just tell her all about your search for the perfect burger.”
Hayley stared at him, exasperated, and watched him readdon’t screw with mein her eyes.
“Trust me,” he said.
Pauline was back with the Coke. “What can I get you?” she asked.
Hayley cleared her throat. “I want a burger I’ll have to attack,” she told Pauline, “but I don’t want the thing to fall apart as soon as I pick it up, because then I’ll have to pick through everything like a salad.”
To her astonishment, a huge smile bloomed on Pauline’s face.
“I’ll get you the Dominator,” Pauline said. “The bun gives you plenty to hold on to.”
“You know what? One for me too,” Nick said. “And Hayley’s going to need a chocolate shake and some of your cake.” He grinned at Hayley. “You’re welcome.”
By the time Pauline left to put in their order, Hayley could swear there were tears of joy in the waitress’s eyes.
“Tell me,” she said to Nick.
“She was worried you wouldn’t eat.” Nick saw she still didn’t get it. “You’re in good shape,” he explained. “When someone like you takes too long with the menu, Pauline sees a picky eater. Pauline doesn’t believe in picky eaters.”
“Gotcha,” she said. “I could tell her I love gluten and I hate hummus.”
“I think your aversion to salad did the trick.”
Pauline was back in record time, with two hunks of chocolate cake that barely stayed within the boundaries of their plates.
“Oh, wow,” Hayley breathed.
“Pauline.” Nick imbued her name with grateful apology. “I can’t eat this. I just can’t.”
Pauline’s hands went to her hips. “Since when do you not like my cake?”
“I will love your cake until the day I die.”
“So why did you think you could get away with not ordering any?” she demanded. “You used to eat a piece of this a day.”
“In college,” he said gently. “A decade ago. I can’t burn off the calories like I used to.”
“Calories.” The contempt in Pauline’s voice made Hayley smile with her mouth full of cake. “You should take a cue from your friend here.”
“Probably more than one,” Nick agreed. “Just don’t gang up on me, okay?”
Pauline winked at Hayley. “I make no promises.” Then she was off.
