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Isip my coffee, gaze fixed out the diner window, trying to ignore the jolt in my chest every time the bell jingles above the door whenever someone comes in.This is stupid. I'm not even waiting for anyone.I don't know anyone in town besides Regina, Kym and Josh—and they're all busy on the farm right now. So it's not like anyone I know would just randomly walk in. And most definitely, I'm not looking up because I'm hoping to see Clark.
After the way I freaked out on Sunday, and the radio silence between us since then, I'm probably the last personhewants to run into. But after the way we left things—after he was soinsistentthat this thing isn't over between us—I kind of thought he'd have shown up smiling at me like nothing happened by now. But as it is, it's Thursday afternoon, the day before we were supposed to have that date he promised, and I haven't heard a peep. My anxiety is through the roof! But really, this is all probably for the best. I'm not in town for much longer, and starting any sort of relationship, even just a casual one, is a bad idea. I don't want it. And Clark's better off without my drama in his life.
This silence is an unspoken agreement, telling me he thought about what I said and he understands.
At least that's what I keep telling myself as my eyes fly up to the entrance when the bell jingles yet again.
Dammit.
So what if he occupies my thoughts more than is wise? He did a great job flicking my bean by that stream, so maybe it's just my hormones craving more. And even though he called me 'the most incredible woman he's ever met', it doesn't have tomeananything. He probably says that to every girl who lets him put his hand inside her pants, so I can't take that to heart. No. It was just a moment in time that didn't really mean anything. Hell, Clark is so good looking that he's probably moved onto some other girl by now. One who doesn't freak out the moment he says something a little too intimate or personal. Maybe I should move on too...
The bell chimes again and this time I close my eyes, forcing my head down so I don't glance up. I'm being ridiculous. There's no way he's just going to happen in here at the exact time I'm in here drinking my fourth cup of coffee and eating my weight in cake—I may have been almost every day this week at the same time...
But as much as I resist looking up, the moment a familiar chuckle touches my ear, my eyes flick up faster than a jackrabbit. There he is, Clark, leaning against the counter as he uses that low, sultry voice of his to sweet talk the waitress. He really is unfairly handsome.
I shrink down in my seat, not ready for him to spot me yet. But I don't think I need to worry. He doesn't even spare me a glance as the waitress blushes and giggles at something he says, her smile as wide as her face. My stomach drops, my cheeks burning with embarrassment as the realization sets inthat I'm definitely not the only woman in town who's caught his attention.
And why would I be? Clark is a young, single guy with a lot going for him. Of course, he has a different girl for every day of the week. I know I'm nothing special, so I don't know why I'd think for a second he'd think I was.
You are the most incredible woman I've ever met...
An unwelcome heat spreads down my neck, a bitter taste twisting my mouth as I witness him moving on right in front of me with a woman who's not only younger than me, but skinnier too. It's an old habit of mine, comparing myself to others, and I thought I'd grown out of it, but in this moment, at thirty-one-years-old and a house deposits worth of therapy behind me, I'm slipping right back into that chubby teen girl who wanted nothing more than to look like one of those tiny, happy girls in all the magazines.I can't do this.
Frustrated at how flustered I am over a man I don't even want, I pull some cash out of my purse and drop it on the table before grabbing my things and trying to discreetly GTFO. But before I can even take a step, my cellphone clatters to the floor and everyone in the diner turns to look at me.
"Shit." I bend down to retrieve my phone, and next thing I know, half the contents of my purse is spilling out. "Could this moment go any worse?" I hiss under my breath, my cheeks burning with humiliation at the attention I'm receiving. As I stand back up, Clark's eyes lock onto mine, lighting up with that charming crooked smile before he strides across the diner to help me pick up my things.
"Fancy seeing you here, darlin'."
"I was just..." My eyes dart around, grasping for an excuse that doesn't make me seem like a pathetic loser.
Clark raises an eyebrow, grin widening. "You were just?"
"Leaving. I was just leaving," I say, snatching my things back and shoving them inside my bag.
"Been havin' yourself a party?" His eyes stray to my table and the stacked up plates from all the cake I've eaten. My belly aches from these stupid feelings on top of all that sugar and caffeine. I just want to go.
"No," I huff, rolling my eyes. "I just like cake. Like, lots of cake. And they wouldn't bring me the whole thing, so I had to eat it piece by piece."
"No shade from me, city," he says, holding both his hands up. "I've been known to eat an entire key lime pie and not share a crumb."
"I'm sure your mother is very proud," I say, shoving my bag on my shoulder so I can leave.
"I wouldn't know. She's been gone a real long time."
I shift back slightly. "Oh. I'm— I didn't know that. I'm sorry."
"That's OK." He smiles at me, but there's a touch of sadness in his eyes. "No way you could've known."
There's an awkward pause as his words hang in the air, both of us knowing the reason is that I said I didn'twantto get to know him. In this moment, I'm severely regretting that decision. There's something about his ocean-deep eyes that makes me feel seen for the first time in a long time. It's uncomfortable, and I don't know how to accept it.
"I should...I should go."
Of course, he blocks me when I move to step around him. "Why the rush, sweetheart? You know, I was in here picking up some sandwiches and a couple slices of pie so I could take you on a picnic this afternoon? Convinced my boss, Austin and his wife, Harper, to give me the afternoon off chores on account that I've been workin' sun-up to sun-down all week just to earn me some free time. I was literally just up at the counter tellin' Sissy Daleythere all about it. She thinks what I'm doin' is very swoony." He leans in close and gives me a wink.
His words catch me off guard, and I swallow hard.Maybe he wasn't avoiding me...
"You want to picnic? With me?That'swhat you were talking to her about?" I blurt, my voice coming out higher than intended.
