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“I know a place that is kind of heading back down to Westerly. It’s about twenty-five minutes from here, but the food is great. What do you think?” I asked.
“If we leave now, we’ll have time to eat,” he said.
I did exactly what I didn’t want to. We were going to be in separate vehicles. How were we going to spend this time getting to know each other that way? “Actually, I’ve changed my mind. There’s a small diner nearby. Why don’t we take my car there?”
He raised a brow and said, “You just remembered the place close by?”
“I was trying to make it easy for you, but then I decided I didn’t want to spend the travel time apart,” I stated. That was mostly true. He accepted that explanation and I felt horrible, like I had deceived him.
When we got to the diner, Kara came over and said, “Well, well, well. Looks like someone is enjoying their week off.” I gave her a warning look but she totally ignored it and asked, “How long have you two been seeing each other?”
“Kara, can we please have some menus,” I said.
Robert was grinning, “And maybe coffee too.”
“I didn’t catch your name,” she asked him.
Please don’t tell her.
“Robert Bennett,” he replied.
And now the entire town will know your name.
“I’m Kara.”
“And we are waiting for our menus,” I reminded her.
She looked at me, huffed and walked away. When she was out of ear shot Robert said, “I get it now.”
“Get what?” I asked.
“Why did you first suggest a place further away.”
“That’s not…” I wasn’t going to lie to him. “Yes, that’s exactly why. I come here all the time. The food is wonderful. But so much gossiping happens here. If anyone has a secret, they best not show up here.”
“Am I your secret?” he asked.
You’ve been my dirty little secret for years.
“I don’t hide things. And I’m not ashamed of our friendship,” I stated. Not sure what else to call it.
“Is that what you consider me? A friend?” he questioned.
“To be truthful, I wasn’t sure what you would consider us. I know you have a lot going on in your life right now, and you don’t need some woman putting any pressure on you for some label that really doesn’t change anything. I’m enjoying getting to know you. I want to continue doing so. That is if you’re in agreement,” I said. He just stared at me. “Or, not.”
“I can’t believe you have to ask,” he said.
I felt a little foolish. “Robert, I am not good at this stuff. I mean, I was married for years and after that ended, I dated a little, but that’s it.”
He nodded, as though he’d forgotten that part. “My answer is yes. I’m in agreement. I want to keep seeing you, exploring where this takes us. Like you said, I have a lot on my plate, but I don’t want you to feel as though you add to the stress level. If anything, you’re the one person who is helping keep my cool. Not that I have a temper, but being accused of something that I didn’t do, is teasing my limits. If I didn’t have my time with you to look forward to, I might have spent a night in jail.”
“Robert, don’t even think about that. They have the woman in custody. This is all going to be over for you soon.”
Then you won’t need me anymore.
“Here’s your coffee and your menus. I’d stay and talk, but I don’t want to intrude on you lovebirds. Just call me over when you’re ready to order,” Kara said before walking away, sulking.
Robert took a sip of the coffee and said, “That’s good. Not that I want to rush out of here, but I do have the meeting and I can’t be late.”
