by S M Broad
I fidget nervously, then look at him, stunned by the way he’s looking back at me, like he’s seeing into my soul. He makes me feel weird things, and it scares the shit out of me. I scramble to change the subject.
“Anyway, it’s been a month and a half, and I still don’t know where everything is. Thought maybe you could show me around, if you had some time?”
His face splits into a gorgeous smile and I try to block out the fuzzy feeling that starts to form in the pit of my stomach.
“No problem, I’d be happy to. I’ll call you soon. If that’s okay?”
I nod, and he returns it before pushing through the door. I didn’t think he’d agree so quickly given, other than car talk, and our awkward morning greetings, we haven’t spoken a word to each other.
What just happened and why do I feel so happy about it?
Chapter Ten
A week later, I still haven’t heard from Latham and my car is still pretty much down the toilet, but things at Abby’s Place are going great. I’m surprised how much I like working there, but it’s probably Abby’s bubbly personality and friendliness that helps most. It’s close to eight when I stroll into work, waving at a few people before going to the backroom to clock in. I put my bag in my locker, grab my apron, and head back out to check on the coffee pots. I’m refilling the pastry case with strawberry scones when Latham’s deep rumble draws my attention. He’s sitting at the end of the tall table top counter, laughing with Davis and their dad, Boone, who I met earlier this week.
My stomach does this weird flipping thing when I see Latham and it makes me feel all fuzzy inside, considering I now have to see him after he’s basically blown me off.
Might as well end the awkward.
“Morning guys, what can I get for you today?” I find my smile is genuine for the first time in a long time. That seems to happen a lot when Latham is on my mind and I don’t know what to make of that.
Davis is the first to speak up, his goofy grin stretching from cheek to cheek.
“I want the cinnamon vanilla waffles with a side of cheesy hash browns and sausage patties. Please and thanks, gorgeous.”
He throws me a wink, and I don’t miss the sour way Latham looks at him. I raise an internal eyebrow and wonder what’s going on in his head. Instead of dwelling too hard, I move to Mr. Reed.
“I’ll have a stack of hotcakes and a side of turkey sausage. Thanks, Aayla.”
When I get to Latham, he’s staring at me with a very intense look on his face, and it makes me feel uncontrollably warm. I have to turn away to hide my heated cheeks, but before I can escape, he mumbles, “A double bacon omelet, please.”
I nod, walk back to the kitchen to put the order in, and decide to check on my other tables. I come back to them a few minutes later, coffee pot in hand, and I’m refilling Boone’s cup when Latham’s phone pings on the counter.
He picks it up to check it, then glares at Davis and punches him in the shoulder.
“Ouch! Dick!” Davis laughs and takes a sip of his soda. I don’t even wanna know. I make another round when new customers come in and by the time I’m finished, Abby is delivering the guys their dishes. They quickly eat in silence, pay, and get up to leave. I pick up the tips they left me with their check, and I'm cashing out a customer at the register when I glance over to see Latham standing by the door, his hands in his pockets, like he’s waiting for something. I walk over to pick up my tips from another table when he calls me over to him. My feet feel heavy as they carry my body to him. Sweet baby Jesus in the manger, please don’t pass out in front of him.
“Can I talk to you outside for a minute?” he asks, and I look back to ask Abby if it’s okay. She simply nods with a knowing little smile. I follow him outside and we sit on the bench in front of the diner window.
“Sorry I haven’t called you. Just been busy at work and preoccupied.” He glances down at the sidewalk then up at my face.
“That’s all right. You don’t have to show me around, I’ll find my own way.” I start to get up and watch as he puts a hand out, as if to stop me, but then decides against it. Confusion mars his handsome face for just a second before it clears, and he pierces me with his gaze. The sun shines in his emerald green eyes, striking me still where I sit.
“I don’t want to show you around.” He pauses, then clears his throat. “I mean, I do, but I want to take you to dinner too. On a date, but I’ve just had a lot on my mind that I can’t explain.”
He shuffles around like he’s nervous, and it makes me fidget too. He looks at me again, like I’ve already rejected him, but I want to say yes this time. It’s hard to try to begin to trust another man after everything I went through with Brant, but I can feel in my gut that Latham isn’t like him. I feel this bright sort of light radiating off of him. I need to move on. That’s why I left Dothan—to find myself. Maybe he’s trying to find something for himself too, and perhaps we could find it together.
“That sounds nice.” I reassure him with a smile, and he audibly exhales. We make plans for him to pick me up Friday night at seven and he gives me another bright smile. I watch him walk to the body shop before going back inside to finish my shift. Later, when I’m back in my room eating my BBQ double cheeseburger from Abby’s, my phone rings. It plays “Those Nights” by Skillet, my song for Leila, and I hesitate before answering.
“Hey.” I sigh. It’s the first time we’ve actually talked instead of texting, and I instantly feel the heaviness from being without her.
“Where are you?”
“I can’t tell you, ’cause you’ll come here.”
“You’re damn skippy I will! I miss you so much, Ay.”
“I miss you too, Lei. I wish I could hug you.” I realize how much I need my best friend, but I haven’t found the peace I’ve been seeking, so I can’t tell her yet. “Hey, listen, I’m really tired so I’m gonna go to bed. Love you.”
I hang up before she can say anything, throw the rest of my burger in the garbage, no longer hungry, hiding my head under my pillow as I drift to sleep.
Chapter Eleven
The next day, as I'm walking to my shift at Abby's, I try to sneak by the body shop to see if I can catch a glimpse of Latham. I look around and inch my way up the driveway of the shop bay to peek inside the open door, but all I see is broken down cars, parts and tool boxes. I turn to leave when I hear a deep rumbling voice.
“Anything I can help you with, darlin?” Boone Reed says, as he wipes a dirty wrench off with a shop rag, eyeing me with a warm grin.
My cheeks pink up, and I try to hide my embarrassment but fail.
“Uhh n-no?” I stutter, trying to come up with a reason as to why I'm here.
His hearty chuckle makes my lips turn up into my own smile. I half-ass a wave and turn quickly to leave, but his voice stops me.
“I just want you to know that I haven't seen Latham smile genuinely in years. Reckon I have your pretty face to thank for that.”
I turn my head to look at him as he gives me a nod and walks off without another word. At the same time he steps into the garage, Latham steps out, a confused look on his face. Boone claps him on the shoulder before retreating back into the shop.
“Everything okay?” he asks, concerned.
“Yes, everything is fine. I just...” Hesitating, I try to get my words out without sounding lame. “I just wanted to...see you." As the words leave my mouth, I feel my whole body flush. His eyes crinkle and his face completely lights up.
“Well, I'm happy you did.” He reaches toward me and tucks a rouge strand of hair behind my ear. The touch of his finger leaves a trail that burns hot on my skin, and I wonder if he feels it too. The look on his face answers that question. He’s definitely feeling something.
“Well, I gotta get to work. So, bye.” I throw up a small wave and start toward Abby’s.
“I’ll see you soon!” he calls after me, excitement streaking his voice. All I can manage is a timid smile and a quiet giggle.
&n
bsp; The next two days of work and wandering around town go by slow, but then it’s finally Friday. I don’t know if I’m more scared to learn about Latham, or the questions he’ll have about me, but another part of me is excited for the first time in forever. My nerves start to get the best of me and I consider canceling, but I check my phone and it’s already six forty-five, so it's too late.
I can’t sit still. I start to pace back and forth, inhaling and letting out several deep breaths. I check myself in the mirror one more time, scanning my dressy casual brown gaucho pants, fitted white tank top, and favorite pair of white and brown Espadrilles. My makeup is a blended smoky brown and my lips are painted with nude gloss. I shrug. Looks good to me.
A knock sounds at the door, and I take another deep breath. When I open it, the air is sucked from my lungs. Latham’s looking down at the carpet with a hand in his pocket, biting his top lip nervously.
Sweet Lord Jesus, this man is spectacular.
He’s wearing a green button-up, the same shade as his eyes, with the sleeves rolled to his elbows, showing off his amazing, muscular arms, and a pair of perfectly fitted khakis with brown dress shoes. His light brown hair is flawless, except for one small strand that hangs in the middle of his forehead, and he’s got a couple days’ worth of scruff lining his jaw. He looks up at me and sucks in a sharp breath, the heat in his eyes hot enough to melt the ass off a snowman.
“Wow.”
His face splits into a huge smile as his gaze rakes over me. I can’t help but blush because a man has never looked at me like this before. I've only ever known looks of rage and disgust from Brant. No. I shake all thoughts of him out of my mind and refocus on the man before me.
“Hi,” I squeak out before clearing my throat, embarrassed.
“Ready for dinner?” He extends a hand in front of himself, gesturing for me to go ahead of him. I can only nod and grab my room card, stuffing it into my small clutch before shutting the door and walking ahead of him. My wedges clack lightly on the concrete sidewalk as we walk. The heat of his hand at my lower back as he leads me along makes the rest of my body flush. A powder blue Chevy Impala sits in the lot and a low whistle rolls from my lips.
“Whoa. Nice car.”
“Thank you.” I hear the smile playing in his voice. I slow my steps when he jogs ahead of me and gape as he opens my door for me.
“Thank you,” I say quietly, and climb in. I watch as he walks around the front of the car, twirling his key ring around one finger. He opens his door and slides in before starting the engine. The car rumbles to life, a low growl thundering in the quiet interior. “So, did you restore this?” I glance around the inside, appreciating the clean interior and custom detailing.
“Yeah.” He smiles at me. “It used to be my dad’s, but he gave it to me when I turned eighteen.” He runs a hand along the dash. “It was nice, a classic, but it needed some work.” The pride in his voice warms my chest.
“It’s beautiful.” I’m in awe of his talent. His grin brightens and dazzles me.
A country song I recognize from working at the diner plays and Latham smiles. He starts humming “The Dance” by Garth Brooks and I wonder to myself if he can sing. Maybe I need to listen to more country. The more songs I hear, the more I like them. Neither of us says much on the drive to the restaurant, mostly because I don’t know what to say, and he probably thinks I’m a stone-cold weirdo.
“I’ve never been here, but my dad says they have really good food, so I thought we could try it together,” Latham says, as he pulls into a parking spot at Ionies Caribbean Kitchen.
I open the car door and get out before he makes it over to me. I feel really weird when he opens the door for me, but I can't escape him doing it when we get to the front of the restaurant. A young blonde girl, about twenty or so, is slumped over on the hostess desk, but instantly perks up and smiles when she sees Latham. She glances at me with a frown then back to him, batting her eyelashes. Eye roll.
“Welcome to Ionies.” She giggles—yes, giggles—and shimmies her shoulders to try to get Latham’s attention. I give her a bored stare.
“Two please,” Latham says, in a no-nonsense tone.
She quickly nods and grabs two menus, waving an arm for us to follow. Once we’re seated and have our drinks and food ordered, the awkward silence starts to grow but before I can think of something to say, the waiter brings our drinks and Latham speaks up.
“So, where are you from?” He sips his sweet tea.
“Alabama,” I reply, and take a drink of my own tea.
“Where were you headed when you broke down?”
“North Carolina.” How am I supposed to explain myself without telling him everything? He just nods, but I think he can see I’m visibly uncomfortable talking about this particular subject, so he changes it.
“What are your parents like?” he asks, and I relax and smile as I think about my dad.
“My mom left when I was little. It was just me and my dad for as long as I could remember, and he was the greatest. We did so much together; he was my best friend.” I smile at memories of Friday pizza nights and tea parties, but then I feel a tug of sadness in my heart and sigh. “He died when I was ten. He was a cop.”
I frown and am startled when Latham reaches across the table to grasp my hand. I think I should pull it away but the only thing I feel is comfort.
“I’m so sorry,” he says, as he rubs circles on my thumb and continues talking. “My dad left when I was a baby too, and when my mom met Boone, he adopted me and raised me as his own.” He looks at me with a smile in his eyes but also a little bit of sadness. He sighs before talking again.
"My mom, Amelia, got sick when I was sixteen. She passed away a few months later. It's been rough on all of us, but especially my dad. She was the love of his life." He frowns and takes another sip of his tea. I don’t know if I can handle more heavy talk, so I go with something that’s not so tough.
“Do you have any pets?”
He chuckles and nods. “I do. I have a German Shepherd, his name is Boss. What about you?”
“No, but I’ve always loved fish.” I give him a small smile.
Our food comes out and he tells me about his friend Kohen as we eat, while I talk about Leila. The more we chat, the more I relax and start to feel comfortable. After we’re done eating, we stop and get some coffee.
Before I know it, we’re back at the hotel, and I suddenly don’t want the date to end. I realize that I really like him, and I want to spend as much time with him that I can before I leave. As he walks me to my door, I try to find a way to not sound like an idiot as I tell him how I feel. When we get to my door, I spin around, and word vomit tumbles out of my mouth before I can stop it.
“So, I realize I was pretty quiet and I was uncomfortable, and even though I don’t plan to stick around longer than it takes for you to fix my car, I do wanna see you again. I’m not good at this, and there are things I can’t tell you, but I really like you.”
I slap my hand across my mouth and my ears turn red from embarrassment. I stare at the floor until his deep, rumbly laugh makes me look up. He searches my eyes for a beat before taking one of my hands.
“I like you too. You’re special, I can see it. Would you like to have lunch with me soon?” he asks, hopeful.
"That sounds really nice," I answer quietly.
"Good."
He kisses my hand and walks away, leaving me standing there, surprised.
Chapter Twelve
A few days later, I can't stop thinking about how Latham makes me feel, and I decide I want to surprise him at work with the lunch date we were planning to have. I pick up some sandwiches for us, as well as homemade dill pickle chips from Abby's. I also grab a small package of Lofthouse sugar cookies from the supermarket, and two bottles of flavored water.
I doll myself up a little more than usual for my daytime look, going for cute but casual, with a blue off the shoulder top, dark wash skinny jeans, and brown heeled booti
es. I curl my hair in spirals and keep my makeup simple.
At eleven forty-five, armed with the goodies for lunch, including sandwiches and chips for Davis and Boone also, I walk to the shop, peeking into the open bay door. I smile when I see Latham standing next to a car, talking on the phone. He’s so handsome. It beguiles me like nothing ever has, and my feelings get stronger every time I see him. I start to turn the corner to surprise him when I hear his angry voice over the shop music.
"I don't know how the hell you got my number, Jolie, but I don't want to talk to you. There is nothing you could say that would ever get me to forgive you for all the shit you've done. Never call me again!" he shouts, and throws his cell phone down on his tool box. Rolling his neck back and forth, he puts pressure on the space between his eyes and groans. It’s clear he's not having a good day, and I decide to reschedule for tomorrow. I turn to leave when I hear him call my name.
“Aayla.”
He walks out of the shop and I give him a small smile.
"Hey there. I just thought I'd surprise you with lunch, but I guess it's not a good time." I shrug and begin to walk away when he grabs my elbow lightly.
"Please don't leave. I'm so happy to see you, beautiful." His eyes shine in the sunlight and a grin splits the frown that was previously present on his lips. He takes a peek into the bag I'm holding, and his smile grows when he sees the cookies. He takes my hand and gives me a kiss on my forehead. It’s a gesture I'm unfamiliar with, and my chest fills with warmth. We deliver Davis and Boone's food to them before we walk out to the back of the building, where there’s a picnic table with an umbrella.
"So, what's the occasion?" Latham asks as he unwraps his sandwich and takes a bite. I fidget nervously, still a little unsure of how to handle what is happening between us.
"Nothing too special. I just wanted to bring you lunch. I wanted to..." I trail off, my fear getting the better of me.
