Common Ground

by Wendy Smith

That was it. I walked her back to the hostel she was staying in, and the next day we had our date.

  I thought that would be that. She’d fall in love with me and we’d live happily ever after.

  But that’s not what happened.

  All this time, and my memories of our time together are triggered by the little things.

  What we had was short, intense, and it ended abruptly.

  I’ve never met anyone like Dee again.

  I’m not sure I ever will.

  Eight

  Delaney

  When we reach the diner, I lead Melly through the kitchen and to her favourite seat at the counter.

  “I’ll just get you a burger, honey.”

  Melly nods. “A special one.”

  Special to her means a burger patty and sauce. Nothing else. And it has to be barbecue sauce because she’s going through a phase of only liking that.

  “Be back in a minute. Trina, can you please make Melly a thickshake, please?”

  She nods. “Sure thing, Delaney.”

  I turn and walk back into the kitchen. If I know Pania, she’s already got Melly’s burger underway.

  She smiles as I approach. Sure enough, the patty’s on the grill and Melly’s favourite sauce is on the bench.

  “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

  “I think I just did.” I sit at the table, staring at the wall.

  “Are you okay?”

  I nod slowly. “That house? It’s been rented out.”

  Pania shrugs. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. Richard Baker’s spent, what, maybe a couple of months there since he bought the place?”

  “He rented it to Josh.”

  “Josh …?”

  “That Josh.”

  Her eyes widen. “Oh my God, Delaney. Did he recognise you?”

  I blow out a breath. “If he did, he didn’t give any indication of it. Mind you, I was wrapped up like Ernest Shackleton about to explore the Antarctic.”

  “What about Melly?”

  I lean back in the chair. “She was in the car. They didn’t see each other.”

  “Are you okay?”

  I knit my fingers together, placing my hands on the table. “Yes. No. Maybe?”

  “What was it like? You know, seeing him again?”

  “My stomach hurt. Does that sound right?”

  She rounds the table and places a hand on my back. “I’m not sure there’s a right or a wrong way to feel.”

  “I guess he looks a lot more … grown up.”

  Pania laughs. “Six years is long enough to make a difference. And if you ask me, he has got hotter with every movie.”

  I pull my hands apart and bury my face in them. “I don’t want to hear that.” Reaching behind me, I slap her thigh. “What am I going to do?”

  She wraps her arms around my neck and lowers her head beside mine. “I don’t know. But if he didn’t recognise you, no harm done, and you’ve got some time to think about your next move. I doubt anyone who stays in that house will deign to visit the diner.”

  Laughing, I lean my head against hers. “I guess you’re right. Remember that one time when Richard came in?”

  “How can I forget?”

  As nice a guy as Richard is, he’s on a whole other planet. He came in once with his girlfriend, who glittered with precious stones and looked down her nose at all of us.

  “I really did assume that he’d ordered delivery. Gave me one hell of a fright when Josh answered the door half-naked.”

  Pania pulls away. “Half-naked? Did you get a picture?”

  “No.” I cross my arms. “I did not get a picture. Do you think I go around taking photos of men I’m delivering food to?”

  Her mouth falls open. “He’s not the first answering the door like that?”

  “Well, yes, but the answer is no. No pictures.”

  She lets out a sad sigh. “Shame. That man is fine.”

  I just shake my head. “He is, but we’re so not going there.”

  She walks back to the hot plate, flipping the burger. “At least with him not recognising you, it’ll buy you a bit more time.”

  I nod. “I really thought I could go the whole time without seeing him. Instead, I see him on the first day he’s here.”

  She turns her head. “How do you know it’s his first day?”

  “He said he was jetlagged and that he arrived here last night.”

  Pania laughs. “You’re in so much trouble. Fate might just keep bringing you two together.”

  I shake my head. “I think the universe has other plans for us.”

  “Yeah, but this seems like too good an opportunity to miss. Especially for Melly.” She smiles. “I’ll just finish off this burger for her.”

  I shake my head. “No, I’ll sort it out.”

  Josh being here brings up a whole lot of unwanted memories. Not just of the day I left.

  He wasn’t the only one to break my heart. My mother did that too when she kicked me out.

  Tears prick my eyes. I moved out to stay with Pania, and never went back. I haven’t spoken to my mother since, and I doubt I ever will.

  Melly missed out on so much not having her father around, and her grandmother, but I’ll be damned if anyone’s going to screw with our lives now.

  She’s my priority. She always has been. I tried to let Josh know about her, but he was too hard to get in touch with.

  And then I watched from a distance as he grew more famous.

  I never could bear to watch his films, but I didn’t have to as stories about him appeared in the media, and on social media he was hard to avoid. At some point, when I’d had a few drinks and was feeling generally sorry for myself, I even liked his Facebook page.

  But what we had was over, and I was left with a daily reminder of him in our daughter.

  Once again, I’m at war with myself over telling him about her. This is my chance to do that, but at the same time, he’s got the wealth to take me to court and maybe even win custody of my little girl.

  I’m not sure it’s worth the risk.

  Nine

  Josh

  My stomach rumbles.

  I just gulped down that thickshake, both burgers and fries, and I’m still hungry. That was some unexpectedly good food. And Richard was right. It really was like being back home.

  But I’m not about to ask that woman to deliver any more food. There’s a reason she was dressed up so warm.

  I can’t believe I answered the door in a towel.

  She must have thought I was a real tool.

  I bury my face in my hands. It’s not always easy to keep my feet on the ground with all the praise and adulation my work gets. But at the same time, I’m the same guy who moved from Florida to LA and worked my ass off auditioning to get to the position I’m in. And I won’t ever forget that.

  After cleaning up the rubbish, I open my suitcase and pull out a fresh set of clothing. It’s cold out there, but jeans, a T-shirt, and a thick jacket should be enough.

  Parked outside is a rental car for my use, and I roll my eyes at the sight of a late-model BMW. I really don’t need anything this ostentatious.

  But a car is a car, and I unlock and open the door.

  It is nice. The new-car leather smell hits me as I slide into the driver’s seat. I’ve driven enough times in England to be used to driving a right-hand car on the left-hand side of the road.

  Sliding my phone into the mount, I sync up the Bluetooth and take a look at Google Maps to see where I’m going.

  Delaney’s Diner.

  Not only am I going to get another mouth-watering burger, but maybe I’ll also get to meet the woman who delivered the first one. After her action conjured up that memory, I’m curious.

  I take the road slowly down the mountain. Last night, someone from the production picked me up and drove me up here, so I’m completely unfamiliar with the road. But I remember what Richard said in his letter about the black ice, so the trip is slow.


  The town is picturesque set against the background of the lake. And the diner stands out in an otherwise colourless town.

  It looks like something that walked out of 1950s America, and I love the authenticity, even from a distance. This is owned by someone who’s worked out their market and nailed it. And I bet they do a roaring business while we’re filming here.

  I park the car outside and lock it before heading toward the door.

  The tables are mostly full with customers, their hands wrapped around their coffee cups as if they’re trying to suck all the heat out of them into their skin. I don’t blame them with how cold it is outside, but it’s toasty warm in here.

  The stools by the counter are empty, bar two. They’re occupied by a dark-haired man, and a little girl eating a burger.

  There’s one person being served, and I walk over to wait behind him.

  “That burger looks good,” I say to the little girl.

  She turns to me and smiles, her whole face lighting up. “My mummy made it.”

  “Did she? I hope she makes mine.”

  “Want a chip?” She holds up a fry, and I shake my head with a grin.

  “No thanks. I’m just about to order my own. Are you having a thickshake too? They’re so good.”

  She nods, the plait in her hair flying. “This is my second one.”

  “Really?”

  “I was soooo hungry after school.”

  “That’s because you didn’t eat your lunch. Again.”

  A voice comes from the door into the kitchen.

  The man in front of me moves, and I get a clear view. My heart skips a beat.

  It can’t be.

  “I don’t like my lunch.”

  My heart’s in my throat as she comes closer.

  As large as life, Dee—my Dee walks out of the kitchen until she stands on the other side of the counter to the girl. Her focus is entirely on the child—she doesn’t even glance at me.

  “There’s nothing wrong with your lunch.”

  “Did you want to order, sir?” Another voice knocks me out of my stupor, and I turn to the woman at the cash register.

  I swallow hard. “Uhhh yeah. I had a couple of burgers and thickshake delivered earlier, and I was wondering if I could get two more burgers and another thickshake.”

  She nods. “We only had one delivery order today, so I can bring that up on the system and sort that for you. Just give me one minute.”

  “Thanks.”

  My eyes drift back to Dee and the little girl. Dee’s either ignoring me or hasn’t recognised me. I find that hard to believe, but it’s a possibility. I’d never forget her face. She’s grown up, as I have, and she’s filled out with curves she didn’t have back when I fell for her. But she’s unmistakably the same woman.

  “Did you want fries?”

  I snap back to my order.

  “Yes please.”

  “That’ll be thirty-four dollars.” She frowns. “Oh, shit. I mean. I can make a combo out of one of those. Give me a second.”

  “No problem.”

  A short, dark, well-built man waves his hand despite Dee standing right in front of him.

  “Hey, Delaney.”

  Her name’s Delaney? It’s her diner. No wonder I couldn’t find her when I searched on social media. I don’t know if just knowing her name was Delaney and not Dee would have been enough, but it wouldn’t have hurt.

  “Yes?”

  “Could I get a mac and cheese?” He beams. I know that look. It was almost permanent on my face in the weeks when I tried to convince Delaney to go out with me. A simple look from her, and my whole body reacted.

  “Wasn’t the hot dog enough?”

  He pats his stomach. “You know how I feel about your food.”

  She turns back toward the kitchen. “Trina, can I get a mac and cheese for Damon?”

  “Sure thing.”

  Delaney smiles at him, and I know that look too. It doesn’t hit her eyes, and she gives him much, much less than the full smiling experience I remember.

  “Sir?”

  I turn back to the woman serving me. “Sorry. I was miles away.”

  One end of her mouth quirks. “I understand. I was saying that’s thirty dollars.”

  I reach into my pocket and pull out my wallet. Mindy arranged some New Zealand dollars before I left the States, and as my stomach grumbles, I’m incredibly grateful once again for her.

  “Give me a second. I’m not really familiar with these.”

  “If you’ve got a green note and a blue note, that’ll do.”

  I nod, pulling out the coloured notes. For the first time, her gaze hits mine, and I know the moment she recognises me because her mouth falls open.

  “Shit. Forget it. It’s on the house.”

  “Jo? Everything okay?” Delaney turns from the little girl and heads toward us.

  Jo hasn’t dropped her gaze from me, but she nods as Delaney approaches her.

  “I’ll pay for it. You’re one of my favourite actors ever.” Jo’s breathless.

  Delaney seems completely focused on Jo, and ignores me.

  “You really don’t have to,” I protest.

  “I do.” Jo’s chest heaves as she looks at me. I’ll never get used to this.

  “Put it through, and don’t worry about it. I’m not going to let you pay for it, Jo,” Delaney says.

  I lean closer. “I’ll pay for it.”

  Finally, Delaney’s eyes meet mine. “You probably should. If you still eat as much as you used to, you’ll send me broke if I feed you for free.”

  I laugh at her unexpected humour, and she gives me a smile—that smile. The smile that ol’ Damon didn’t get.

  “Here.” I hand her the bills.

  “Thanks.” She completes the transaction on the register. “Where are you sitting? We’ll bring it out.”

  “I thought I’d just sit at the counter.”

  She swallows hard, shuffling uncomfortably. “Sure. Take a seat.”

  Damon’s sitting on the far side of the little girl, and I take a seat closer to Delaney.

  “So you did notice me.”

  “I noticed you earlier today when I delivered your first meal. I’m not surprised you’re here for more. You always did eat like a hobbit.”

  Frowning, I run my fingers through my hair. “What do you mean?”

  “First breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses …” Her laugh doesn’t sound the way I remember, and I’m sure she’s holding back. But this is probably an awkward situation for her.

  “Oh yeah. I still do that too. Growing boy that I am.”

  She nods. “I can see.”

  I want to tell her she’s beautiful, and that I can forget that she disappeared on me but being right in front of her, everything goes from my mind except how good she looks.

  “Sorry about earlier. I was a dumbass and went straight to sleep jetlagged when I should have tried to stay up to try and get in sync. When you rang the doorbell, all I could think about was my stomach.”

  If I’m not mistaken, her cheeks flush pink.

  “It’s okay. I wasn’t expecting to see you at all. I thought you were Richard.”

  “Richard?”

  “It’s his house you’re staying in. And his name was on the order.”

  I nod slowly. “Of course. I should have put my name on the order I guess, but I was trying to keep things low-key.” I lick my lips. “Sorry to see me?”

  Before she can answer, a little voice speaks up beside me. “Finished, Mummy.”

  Delaney gives one of those breathtaking special smiles to the girl. “Good girl. Let me wipe your face.”

  She pulls out a napkin and cleans the smears of sauce from around the girl’s lips.

  “Your daughter?”

  She glances at me. “Amelia, this is Joshua.”

  “Call me Josh.” I extend a hand to Amelia and she gives me the sweetest smile before sliding her small hand into mine. Giving it a shake, I smile
right back.

  “Hi, Josh.”

  I know I shouldn’t feel it, but jealousy wells in me. Delaney came back to New Zealand and had a kid. Is she married? Who is he? “Hello, Amelia.”

  She lets out a dramatic sigh. “No one calls me Amelia. My name’s Melly.”

  I smile. “Well, I think I’ll stick with Amelia. It’s a very pretty name.”

  “Can I get another coffee, Delaney?” Damon says.

  I bristle. I don’t know why he bugs me. Maybe it’s the way he looks at her.

  “Sure thing. I’ll check where that food’s got to.”

  She turns back toward the kitchen. I’ve spent six years with this image in my head of her, but Delaney now just blows all that out of the water. I shoot a glance down the counter at Damon. He’s got his eyes on her ass, and I clamp my lips together at the sight.

  I have no right to judge him. But I’m going to.

  Unless …

  My gaze drops to her left hand. It takes a moment to get a decent look, but there’s no ring on her finger. That tells me all I need to know.

  Unless she doesn’t wear a wedding ring.

  Or she’s not married but she lives with Amelia’s dad.

  Or …

  Fuck. I’m not that horny nineteen-year-old pursuing her from the moment I laid eyes on her. Am I? Maybe I’m just the twenty-five-year-old version. Which, given my behaviour right now, isn’t really all that different.

  “Josh. Do you like burgers?” Amelia asks.

  I grin. “I sure do. I’ve got two coming.”

  “Two?” Her dark eyes are so wide. “I can’t eat anything more and I had one.”

  “Burgers for you.” Delaney slides my plate in front of me. “And mac and cheese for you.”

  She takes Damon his plate and turns. “I’ll just get the fries and your thickshake.”

  “Thank you.”

  I don’t know what’s going on in that head of hers, but the small, sad smile she gives me does funny things to my stomach.

  This wasn’t supposed to happen. And I can’t act like some immature boy in front of her. For years I thought about the day when I’d finally find her, but I didn’t expect things to be so, so easy between us. But then again, she’s always been good at putting people at ease.