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He paused, slowly spinning the coffee cup toward him and then back, while his mournful gaze fixated on the movement. There were things he wasn’t saying, and it tugged at me in a way that I wanted to fix. I wanted to physically get Rae here and make her look her father in the face and put all his fears to rest.
“I don’t want her to leave again,” Roger whispered, raising his gaze to meet mine.
Clenching my fist under the table, where he couldn’t see, I nodded my agreement.
If I had my choice, I’d just wash my hands of his daughter, because I knew deep down that I wouldn’t be the guy to fight for someone that didn’t want me. Someone who thought so little of me. I would rather just live up here and forget about her…but for Roger?
I’d place that order, and I’d try to get his daughter to at least see me as a friend, so maybe she’d stay in Macon.
Maybe she’d find purpose here again, and maybe my friend list would grow by one.
8
RAE
My mother wasn’ta fan of the attitude I had developed overnight, specifically minutes after Davis had left. She aggressively washed the dinner dishes, and ignored my offer of help, all while muttering about manners and how I had been ruined by New York.
Eventually I left, wandering outside, and finding my way to Nora’s front door.
My best friend had grabbed a box of wine and sat on the front porch with me, while I poured out the story of Davis coming to dinner.
She’d stared ahead, unblinking, while sipping. We both had, long enough that the light had waned and the streetlights blinked on. There really wasn’t much to say. The strangest and weirdest twist of fate had landed right in the center of my back with a metaphorical blade.
Now it was Saturday, and my distraction had arrived in the form of delivering meals and groceries up the mountain.
I carefully read over the list in my hand, tracking the items on the shelf as though the two could line up. “Mouthwash, hair gel, deodorant…” I placed each brand specified in the cart and headed toward the food section, but at the last aisle, my phone started vibrating, and I paused to pull my cell free.
Nora: I have a dare for you.
Smiling at the screen, I stood in the middle of the aisle and punched out a reply.
Me: What did you have in mind?
Nora: Throw something random in one of the orders, something that will make whoever gets it laugh.
Peering around the items on the shelf, my face heated.
Me: I’m staring at a rack of condoms.
Nora: Perfect!
Me: You’re an idiot.
I pushed away from the spot and continued down the lane, when my phone buzzed again.
Nora: Think of the kick they’ll get out of it! Obviously pay for it yourself, but this should be your thing...add one surprise item to each order.
Biting my lip, I thought it over and considered that maybe she was right. Maybe while I was home, I could carve out a fun little existence for myself. Maybe one day I’d start stealing lemons and collecting teddy bear figurines, too. I turned my cart around and veered back toward the condoms, smiling at the glossy box as I tossed it into the cart.
* * *
I stoppedat the restaurant before I plugged the addresses into my phone. Right as I was about to tug the back door open, I inhaled a sharp breath. I hadn’t walked through this door for years. When I had visited over the past few holidays, I never once came to the diner—not when there was a chance Davis might visit it.
I walked through the large kitchen that was bustling with people, nervous that no one would recognize me here. People in town seemed not to, and I wasn’t sure the same would be true for most of the people I’d been around since I was a little girl. A few familiar faces appeared, a few polite smiles and waves were given, until they were followed by gasps.
“Oh my goodness!” I heard someone mutter, and a clanging sound that would indicate a dish had been dropped.
“That can’t be Millie and Roger’s little girl!”
