Table 10: Part 3: A Novella Series

by Jiffy Kate

  “We see each other… occasionally.”

  “So, you know him… in the biblical sense.”

  “Fine,” she says with a huff, but refuses to look at me.

  “That’s good enough for me,” I tell her as I begin to sweep the floor.

  “You never stick your nose in other people’s business. I’ve always like that about you. Don’t make me change my mind.”

  “I’m done,” I tell her with a laugh. “I promise. I see nothing. I hear nothing. I know nothing.”

  “Good.” She checks me with her hip on her way by, walking out into the diner to start wiping down tables.

  A few minutes later, the back door opens and Mack walks in with a stack of clean towels in one arm and a bag of groceries in the other.

  “Oh, hey, Kadi,” he says, apparently not expecting to see me in the kitchen.

  “Hey, Mack.”

  “I forgot you’d be back helping LuAnne shut everything down for the day.”

  I smile to myself, hiding my blush as I continue to sweep the floor.

  “LuAnne’s out wiping down tables.”

  He grunts his thanks and walks out the swinging doors. I make sure to keep myself busy in the kitchen, giving them their privacy. I’m cool with LuAnne and Mack being a thing, totally cool, but I don’t want any visuals.

  A few minutes later, Mack walks back into the kitchen and stands right where I’m sweeping, forcing me to meet his gaze.

  Crap.

  “So, you’re leaving us, huh?” he asks, his arms crossed over his chest.

  “Well, it won’t be for a while,” I start, hoping to smooth the harsh look on his face. “Depends on how fast I can find a building and get equipment, things like that,” I tell him. “I want to work here for as long as I can. If that’s okay.”

  “Of course it’s okay.” His stance doesn’t change, but his words soften. “You can work here as long as you want. And if things don’t work out, you’ve always got a job here.”

  “Thanks, Mack.”

  “Sure. You’re the best employee I’ve ever had,” he mumbles, avoiding eye contact.

  “Hey,” LuAnne yells from the front of the diner.

  “Well, besides LuAnne, but, you know. We’ll miss you around here, kid.”

  “Don’t make me cry, Mack. Like I said, you’re stuck with me for a while. So, let’s save the tears for later.” I’m teasing now, but I can’t promise there won’t be tears. LuAnne and Mack have become my family. So, I’ll miss them and I’ll miss this place. Working here has got me through some of the toughest times in my life. And it’s where I met Nathan and found my love for baking. It’ll be hard to leave, but I’m excited about where I’m going and the fact they support me in this new endeavor means the world to me.

  “Well, I want to make the first order. My customers aren’t happy without your pies.”

  I smile and nod my head. “I’ll cut you a deal.”

  “No, no deals. I wanna pay full price, top dollar. You can’t make money cutting deals.”

  “Okay,” I tell him, happy that the grumpy Mack is back. I don’t know how to handle the sweet, sappy one. He doesn’t make an appearance very often. Makes me wonder if LuAnne is making a softy out of him.

  “If you need any business advice, I know you’ve got your fancy-schmancy CEO boyfriend, but I know a thing or two about business. I’m here for you if you need me.”

  “Thanks, Mack.” Nathan isn’t my boyfriend, but I don’t correct him. I know LuAnne is eavesdropping and I don’t feel like getting into that with her. For someone who says they don’t like to talk feelings, she’s sure done a lot of it lately.

  “You can thank me by buffing these floors before you leave tonight.”

  “Right, I’m on it.”

  Two hours later, the floors are buffed and LuAnne and I are the last to leave. At five minutes until six, my phone dings. I know that sound, but I’ve never heard it come from my phone.

  I pick it up to look at it and on the screen is a message from Nathan.

  Waiting out front. Take your time.

  “Let me guess, Romeo awaits with his chariot… or is it your knight in shining armor on his white horse?” LuAnne teases.

  “Neither,” I tell her. “It’s Nathan.”

  Because he’s not Romeo or my knight in shining armor. He’s not perfect. Nathan has flaws. He’s demanding at times and sometimes he’s impatient. He doesn’t like being told no or when things don't go his way.

  But it’s the flaws that make him who he is. I see him bending and compromising and that’s almost as attractive as his physical attributes. And let’s not even go there, because I’ll be standing here all day.

  “Y’all have fun, make all the business plans,” LuAnne says with a wink and a wave, her tone dripping with innuendo.

  “See you tomorrow.” I wave at her retreating form and walk toward the sleek black car that I’ve actually missed, with the man inside who I’ve missed even more.

  Before I have the front door locked behind me, he’s jumped out of his car and walked around to the passenger door to hold it open for me.

  “Kadi,” he says with a dip of his chin.

  I don’t miss the slight smile on his perfect lips.

  With as much grace as I can muster, I offer him a small smile back, sliding into the car. Being back in this car, in this small space with him, is a little overwhelming. I’ve wanted it, dreamed of it, but now that I’m here, I need to take a few breaths and center myself.

  After seeing Nathan this morning at the diner, all I’ve thought about all day is him, and now all I smell is him. He’s infiltrating my senses.

  Once we’re both inside, he puts the car into drive. “I was thinking a change of plans.”

  “What?” I ask, distracted by the familiar smell of leather, his hand on the gear shift, strong profile, and the overwhelming scent of Nathan.

  “I thought it might be better if I take you to that Mexican restaurant we went to. It’s a nice, quiet place. We’ll be able to discuss your ideas and get a plan set.”

  “Right,” I reply absentmindedly. Of course, a restaurant is a much better idea than Nathan’s apartment. And I do love the restaurant we’re going to. We haven’t been back since the first time Nathan took me out to dinner—our first date, I guess you could say. So, it kind of feels appropriate that we’re going back tonight, with this being somewhat of a fresh start for us.

  And it’s public.

  More professional.

  Is that what this is? A business meeting?

  As we turn the corner, my mind is buzzing with what ifs and jumping to.

  “I thought you might like to change clothes first.”

  “Yeah, I would. Thank you.”

  When he pulls the car up to the curb, I expect him to jump out and walk up to my apartment with me, but he doesn’t and it catches me off guard. Nathan is different, not good or bad, but different. Something’s changed.

  “I’ll wait here,” he says, putting the car in park.

  “Okay, I’ll hurry.”

  “No rush. Take your time.”

  That’s the second time he’s told me that in the last ten minutes and it makes me pause. Smiling back at him, I slide out of the car and shut the door behind me.

  Taking the steps two at a time, I rush into my apartment, strip down, and shower to get the day’s grime of the diner off me. Drying at rush speed, I toss on some jeans and a simple black shirt. As I’m twisting my hair into a messy bun, I look at myself in the mirror and see the nerves I can feel pounding through my chest.

  Deep breath.

  This is just Nathan.

  No rush.

  No hurry.

  He’s not going anywhere.

  Take your time.

  Walking back out of the building, my heart stutters for a second when I see him sitting in the same place, sunglasses on and some papers in his hand that have his full attention. Until he sees me.

  Jumping out of the car,
he runs around and holds my door for me again.

  If I’m not mistaken, he leans in a little closer than necessary and breathes deeply as I move past him. Maybe I’m not the only one struggling with this new professional friendship. Maybe he’s dealing with the same feelings. Maybe he’s reminding himself to take his time.

  When we get to the restaurant the waitress seats us at the same table as last time and Nathan orders the menu, the same as last time.

  Before the drinks even arrive, Nathan has his business hat on.

  “So, I think the first thing we need to discuss is a budget.”

  “Okay,” I tell him, taking out the envelope with the details of my mother’s life insurance policy. I haven’t discussed the amount with anyone else, not even my dad really, but Nathan needs to know. If he’s going to help me get this business started, he has to know what we’re working with.

  We.

  What we’re working with.

  I like the sounds of that.

  I can’t imagine doing this without Nathan.

  “I’m getting fifty thousand.”

  “That’s a good amount to start with. I see no reason why you can’t open the shop and still have money for savings, which is good, because most startups don’t see black for at least a year.”

  “Well, I don’t need a lot of money to live on, so most of it can go into the business.”

  “The first thing we need to do is find you the perfect building and I already have one in mind,” he says, pulling out the papers I saw him going over in the car.

  “I won’t be able to afford an expensive lease,” I tell him, because that’s one of the things I’m most scared about—having a lease I can’t pay for, being in debt to someone and not being able to get out of it if things don’t go well.

  “I guess it helps that I own this building,” he says with a smile, handing me the papers to look over.

  “I don’t want a hand-out, Nathan,” I tell him, feeling the familiar burn of pride and self-reliance in my chest. If that’s what this is, then it’s not going to work.

  “It’s not a hand-out, but I also won’t be jacking up your lease to some ungodly amount. I know what my property is worth and I know what I need out of it. This is a business deal.”

  “Okay,” I tell him, feeling better with the look of sincerity on his face and that he’s not going to fight me on this. All I want is to be treated like an equal and Nathan is giving me that.

  “I can set up a time to drive you over there in the next few days. It was previously a small cafe, so I think the change-over should be easy. You might even benefit from some lingering business. It hasn’t been closed very long. Once you have your own equipment in there and give it a good cleaning, it should pass inspection without a problem.”

  Equipment.

  Lease.

  Inspections.

  It’s all becoming so real. I’m doing this.

  “You okay?” he asks, reaching across the table and placing his hand over mine. “We’ll take this as slow as you need, okay? No rush.”

  His words, his presence, his touch set me at ease and I breathe.

  “Okay.”

  Chapter 10

  Kadi

  I can’t believe I just finished my last shift at the diner. Ever. Starting tomorrow, I’m officially a small business owner and will be putting the finishing touches on my very own pie shop. Opening day is still a couple of weeks away but I want to make sure I have plenty of time to get the place set up just the way I want it and bake enough pies in advance.

  LuAnne refused to let me clean up tonight and was equally adamant about not telling me goodbye. I made a dozen pies in hopes of holding them over until the shop is up and running, so at least I don’t feel like I’m leaving them high and dry. And I know I’ll see her and Mack soon, especially since they’ve both offered to help, but it’s still so strange to be walking out of the diner, knowing I don’t have to be back first thing tomorrow morning.

  Nathan will be picking me up any minute now to go back to his apartment for a celebratory dinner. He offered to cook for me but I wanted to surprise him by having Thai food delivered instead. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t hoping this is the night I tell him how I feel about him. About us.

  These last three weeks of working so closely with him to get the shop started have only solidified my feelings for him and I think I’m going to burst if I don’t tell him soon.

  When his car pulls up to the sidewalk and he steps out to greet me, I can’t help but giggle at the expression on his face. It’s equal parts happy and confused.

  “Why are you waiting for me outside?” he asks.

  Normally, he’d be upset to see me standing outside the diner at night by myself but since we’ve reconnected he’s been somewhat better about trusting me to take care of myself. Besides, I haven’t been out here for very long and I’ve been standing by the front door the entire time.

  “LuAnne didn’t want to have to watch me leave, so she kicked me out.” I’m only somewhat joking. “I haven’t been out here long, though, and look, I already have dinner.” I hold up the large bag of Thai food and breathe in the delicious aroma.

  “Thai, huh? Are you still afraid of my skills in the kitchen? I burn one pot of pasta and the trust is gone forever?” His eyes are sparkling and full of mischief and it’s so hard not to get completely lost in them.

  “No, I just wanted tonight to be easy. I’m starving and I don’t think I can wait for you to cook anything. Plus, if you were to burn dinner again, I’d have to wait even longer to eat!”

  “I knew you’d never let me live that down,” he says, pretending to pout. He opens my door and helps me inside the car. “Let’s get you home, princess. I’d never forgive myself if I allowed you to starve.”

  I don’t think he realized what he just said but hearing him say he’s bringing me home has the butterflies in my stomach fluttering around like they just guzzled a gallon of Mountain Dew.

  Walking into Nathan’s apartment is even worse than getting in his car. Well, worse in a better way—more. Everything in this space is him. The smells, the décor, the dark of the furniture contrasted by the light of the large windows. It’s all Nathan and everything I missed while we were apart.

  It’s home. He’s my home.

  I can’t help the flashbacks that move through my mind like a motion picture. Scenes from the first night he brought me here play on loop—how unsure I was of myself and my surroundings, but how comfortable he made me feel.

  Nathan’s strong arms caging me in against the counter, while his lips set me free.

  He was everything I’d ever wanted but had never allowed myself to dream of. And now, I know he’s exactly what I need.

  I feel him watching me, giving me space. Turning around, I catch him with a soft smile on his face and I wonder if he’s having the same flashbacks as I am. I wonder if he feels the same, and I almost blurt out I love you, but forget my words as Nathan takes off his suit jacket and makes himself comfortable.

  Food.

  I need to eat… and have a drink. Then I’ll tell him how I feel.

  Later, as we sit on Nathan’s living room floor, surrounded by food cartons, chopsticks, and our drinks, I imagine future nights with Nathan to be just like this. No talking about work, just being together, relaxed and casual, and happy. Very happy.

  “Thank you.”

  Nathan looks puzzled but smiles at me. “For what?”

  I let out a deep breath.

  It’s now or never.

  “For everything. For being my friend and not hating me. For being able to move past the fact I broke us up and helping me, simply out of the goodness of your heart.”

  “Well, you’re welcome but Kadi, I didn’t do those things just because I’m a nice guy.”

  “No?”

  He lets out a small laugh but is completely serious when he says, “No.” I watch as he stands, only to come and sit right next to me. Nathan takes my hands in hi
s and kisses the tops of them.

  “Yes, I’m a nice guy but I’m also selfish. The truth is, I love you, Kadi. I’ve loved you for a long time and I didn’t stop loving you even when you left me at the hotel. Even if you tell me you don’t feel the same, I’ll continue to help you when you need it, but it’s because I’m in love with you. I’ll always want what’s best for you.”

  Damn him for making me speechless. Damn him for knocking me off my feet. Just, damn.

  He must mistake my quietness for a sign I don’t feel the same, because he gently places my hands back in my lap and moves to stand again.

  “No!” I blurt out, catching us both off guard.

  “No, to what?”

  “No to you getting up. No to whatever you were just thinking, because you’re wrong. You caught me off guard and I was trying to collect my thoughts, so I’m saying no so I can say yes.”

  “Now, I’m really confused. Kadi, what is it that you want to say?”

  “I want to say that I love you, too. I never stopped. I—I’m not even sure when it happened, but I know I do. The night I walked, or ran, out of that hotel room, I was afraid… scared, because I knew how hard I was falling for you and I didn’t want to find out how bad it would hurt when you were finished with me—”

  “But,” he cuts me off, but I don’t let him.

  “I was just so afraid you didn’t feel the same that I ran before you could break my heart.” I pause, taking a deep breath. “But I learned a lot about myself when I went back to Humble. I think the most important thing I learned was that life is short… too short to live with regrets. And love is worth the pain… my dad told me that. I think I already knew it, but hearing it from him made me realize that my biggest regret in life would be you. If I don’t tell you right now, how crazy I am about you, I’ll regret it forever.”

  I can see that Nathan is fighting to hide his smile. “Well, go on, then. Tell me. I can wait. I mean, I’d hate for you to regret anything.”

  “I just told you I love you,” I huff, but he stills me with his hands on my shoulders and then pulls me into his hard chest.

  The smile on his face grows.