AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Can we just let it go for now?” I beg.
“Alright, kitty cat. For now.”
I smile at that, happy that his body language has changed for the better.
The afternoon goes on smoothly. Dean, Tony and I rotate the six afternoon classes, helping each other, but with otherwise little interaction.
We quietly close up shop, each keeping to ourselves. I miss Dean’s constant flirtation, and begin to wonder if he finally gave up, realizing that I’m not a good match.
That is until the moment Tony walks out.
“So, do you want to have dinner with me? Someone told me of a place up the road where they have excellent sandwiches.” The speckled green of his eyes catch the sun’s rays, making them look just like sea glass.
“They were probably talking about Rama’s Deli. It is really tasty. But actually, my kid is coming to get me. She took my car to get the gas gage fixed.”
I hate the disappointment in his eyes. I hate it even more that it disappoints ME to disappoint him. Something bubbles out of me, a cross between a groan and a cry, when I can’t think of what to do, because my mind is screaming at me that I shouldn’t care, but my heart is begging me to.
Luckily, the door opening saves me. Reese walks in, her dark hair in a messy bun, putting on her Florida Gator’s sweater she carries with her everywhere because she’s always chilly. How she plans on making it in New York, when a ninety-degree day isn’t hot enough for her, I have no idea.
Her blue eyes shine behind her glasses as she takes in my proximity to Dean, and I take a step back. With a cheesy smile plastered on her face, she says, “So, what’s happening?”
“I was just asking your mom if she’d like to go to dinner with me,” he tells her.
“But I told him you were on your way to pick me up, so… Anyway, I’ll see you tomorrow, Coop.”
“Well, why don’t you come with us?” Reese asks him. “We’re going to grab a bite at this little place called Rama’s right down the street.”
“Is that so?” he asks me, with a mischievous glint in his eye.
I give Reese an “I’m going to pinch you later” look, then turn to him. “I wasn’t sure where we were eating. You’re welcome to join us?”
His smile widens. “Are you asking me?”
“No. I mean, you SHOULD join us,” I say.
“I’d love to.”
We lock the doors and I jump into the Mustang with Reese behind the wheel.
“I like him,” she tells me, giving me a nod of approval as she watches him get into his Jeep.
“Not you, too,” I say with disbelief.
“Who else likes him?” she asks.
My body, that’s who!I don’t say it though, opting instead to look out the window as we ride to the restaurant.
When we get there, Reese and I sit directly across from Dean. She and I order our favorite loaded sweet potato with ground turkey, and a falafel. I love it. It’s healthy, low fat, good carbs. But sometimes I really want a lamb burger. Like the one Dean’s eating.
“It’s so unfair that you can eat a burger and still look like that,” I say with disgust.
He laughs, taking another bite. “I thought you took Sundays off. Come back then.”
“Sinday,” Reese corrects. “She eats whatever she wants, but can’t eat as much as she wants without making herself sick. Two weeks ago, she saved herself all day for CeCe’s pizza.”
“The kid’s place?” Dean asks.
“The buffet place,” I correct.
