by Noelle Adams
He wondered how she could keep smiling when she must be getting impatient, but she was really good at the waitress face and her friendliness never wavered.
“Hey, man,” a voice came from behind him.
Rob turned to see Keith take the stool next to him. “Hey. What are you doing here?”
“Martha and the kids are visiting her mother, so it’s either this or a moldy piece of bread for breakfast.”
Rob chuckled. “How long is she gone for?”
“They left Friday, and they’ll be back on Wednesday.”
“That’s not too bad.”
“I guess I’ll survive.”
Allison finally finished up with the couple, and she grabbed a menu on her way toward them, offering it to Keith. “Would you like some coffee?”
“Definitely.” Then Keith turned to Rob. “You’ve got to help me build this shed. I told Martha it would be done by the time she got back, and it’s not progressing the way I thought.”
“How far have you gotten?”
Keith gave him a dubious look.
Rob shook his head with a huff of dry amusement. “I can come over after work, if you want. But you’re responsible for the beer.”
“Done. I dread what she’ll say if it’s still half finished when she gets back.” Keith accepted the coffee Allison brought him and took a large gulp. “Speaking of wives, they say that Dee’s been hanging out at Trevor’s every night this week.”
Trevor’s was the bar in the next town over, more rowdy than most of the establishments in the county. Rob had hung out there when he was young, but he hadn’t enjoyed it in years. “Is that supposed to mean something to me?”
“I don’t know. That’s just what they’re saying.”
“She goes through spells. She’ll drink herself into a stupor and then sober up and try to be good. It’s mostly Cali I’m worried about.”
“Did you hear she’s been seeing that Nelson boy?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve heard stories that he’s not a good guy.”
“I’ve heard the stories too. Cali says he’s great to her.” Rob shrugged. “Maybe the stories are wrong.”
Keith scowled. “If he’s a Nelson, I doubt it.”
All of the men in the Nelson family were losers or criminals. So far, there hadn’t been any exceptions. Rob wished Cali hadn’t hooked up with that boy.
He was so distracted that he didn’t even see Allison coming over to him with a plate. She looked pretty and polished, as she always did, and his eyes did a quick once-over, taking in her body before he raised his gaze to her face. “Thanks.”
She gave him a smile, showing a little dimple to the side of her mouth. “Has anyone ever had a chat with you about cholesterol?”
Rob blinked, and Keith gave a snort of amusement.
“You eat eggs and bacon every day,” Allison added, as if she weren’t sure he’d followed her line of thinking.
“I hate cereal,” he explained.
“There are a few other breakfast options besides eggs and bacon and cereal, you know.” Her eyes were laughing, and Rob couldn’t help but be pleased that she’d thought about his health, even in a teasing way.
“Not very many. I’m not a smoothie kind of guy.”
Her eyes were still resting on his face. “Yeah. I wouldn’t have thought you were. Enjoy your eggs and bacon, and say a little prayer for your arteries.”
Rob was grinning like a dope as she walked away, and he had an uncomfortable sense that Keith could read his mind.
“Well, obviously you’re into her more than ever,” Keith said once she was out of earshot, “but you haven’t had much luck interesting her.”
“She likes me.”
“Sure—just like she likes Trey and Ernie over there. She hasn’t said yes to a date yet, has she?”
“Not yet. But I haven’t asked.”
“You might as well give up. She’s never going to fall for someone like you.”
Rob knew his friend was joking, trying to rile him up, and he knew he shouldn’t fall for it. But he felt defensive anyway. “You don’t know that.”
“She’s used to dating rich guys who can buy her yachts and shit.”
“She doesn’t want a yacht. She wants mulch for her yard.”
“Right now, maybe. But a girl like that…” Keith nodded toward Allison, who was bringing two plates out from the kitchen for the indecisive couple against the wall. “She’s going to get tired of mulch and eventually want a yacht.”
Rob didn’t respond, but he didn’t think that was true. Allison was different. She enjoyed simple things. She wasn’t a snob like she might have seemed initially. She actually tried to get to know the people who came into the restaurant, and she was happy with her little house.
She might be beautiful and elegant and more sophisticated than the people around her, but she didn’t belong on a yacht.
She wasn’t a mistake—the way the women he’d hooked up with before had been. She wasn’t going to humiliate him or turn him into a fool in the eyes of the town. He wasn’t going to feel powerless with her, the way he had in his previous relationships.
Allison was different.
Rob wanted her more than ever, and he wasn’t going to give up after just a couple of weeks.
—
“I’m going to go ahead and take my break,” Allison told Trey, ducking her head into his micro-office and catching him scratching his crotch.
“Sure. Go ahead. Just be back by eleven.”
The lunch crowd—mostly the seniors—started coming in early closer to noon. She was hungry, and her feet were hurting, but it hadn’t been a particularly difficult day. Chelle and Gus always went behind the building for their break, so they could smoke in peace, but Allison headed for her car, where she’d left a pack of crackers this morning.
She liked to be alone during her breaks, so her car was pretty much her only option.
She waved at Ernie, who liked to sit in a chair on the sidewalk across the street while he did his clothes in the Laundromat. “Leaving early?” he called out.
“Just taking my break.”
“Nice day, isn’t it?”
It was a very hot day with humidity so thick she felt like she had to push through it, but she just smiled and waved again as she continued to her car at the back of the parking lot next to the building.
She couldn’t believe she’d worked at Dora’s for a whole month now. She knew all the regulars. She knew whether to ask them about their kids, grandkids, dogs, or horses. Every day, when she looked in the mirror, it was like looking at a stranger. She kept telling herself that this was what it looked like to be independent, but it was still a disorienting visual. She had a ponytail and comfortable (not very attractive) shoes, and even the cigarette smell that wafted in with about half the customers didn’t make her sick like it used to.
A year ago she never would have thought she could be content in this life, but she was happier now than in that last year married to Arthur. At least she could decide what she wanted to do for herself. At least she could eat a bowl of ice cream without feeling guilty about putting on a pound. At least she didn’t have to listen to his lectures.
Last night she’d been standing on a stepladder on her front stoop, trying to change a bulb above the front door. The fixture was old, though, and the bulb had broken with part of it still stuck in the fixture, so she hadn’t been able to get it out. After fifteen minutes of working on it, Rob had come over from across the street. He’d pulled out his little multitool and had the piece of lightbulb out in about two minutes.
He’d lingered, asking her about her day and telling her about a funny guy who had come into his store that day. He’d looked like he wouldn’t mind being invited in for a beer, but Allison didn’t have any beer, and she was worried about having Rob over in the evenings.
She might do something she’d made a decision not to do.
He’d never invited her over to his h
ouse. She had no idea why—unless he had a wife hidden away in the attic or he didn’t want to put away an embarrassing porn collection.
Thinking about Rob, she pulled this morning’s napkin out of her pocket. She’d had an annoyed customer who’d been giving her a hard time. Rob had written, Jake complains about everything. Don’t listen to him. You’re great. R.
She smiled like an idiot as she read it and then jumped in surprise when her phone rang, as if she’d been caught doing something naughty.
It was Vicki, so Allison grinned as she picked it up.
After the normal comments and catching up, Vicki said, “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were starting to like being a small-town waitress.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me. I’m getting used to it, but this is definitely not how I want to spend my life. I’m still dreaming of my little jewelry shop to get me through the days.”
“When are you going to start taking classes again?”
“I don’t know.” Allison sighed, a familiar heaviness overcoming her as she thought about her future. The jewelry-shop dream was easy and encouraging, but any active step toward it felt like a huge burden she didn’t have the energy to tackle yet.
“I thought you were going to start as soon as possible.”
“I am. I’m just still so tired when I get home from work. I’m not sure I’d have the energy to take a class on top of that yet. Plus, I’m still worried about spending money.”
“But you’re making money now.”
“Yeah, but not much. You’d be horrified by how little I make. I can’t tell you how depressing it is to work all day and have so little to show for it.”
“But you’re getting by, aren’t you?” Vicki usually sounded light and amused, but there was a note of concern in her voice now.
“Yeah. Yeah. I’m getting by just fine. Having the house and car helps. I’m not sure what I’d do if I had to add those payments on top of my other expenses.” She shook her head, feeling an intense surge of sympathy for some of the young women who came into the restaurant, trying to get by on so little money.
“Still, what you’re doing is hard enough. I’m in awe of you, you know.”
Allison snorted. “Thanks a lot.”
“Speaking of awe…” Vicki’s voice changed.
“Something about Arthur?”
“We saw him the other night at a gallery opening.”
“Oh yeah? Was he as pompous and patronizing as ever?”
“More so, I’d say. He asked about you.”
“I hope you told him I was having the time of my life.”
“Of course I did. He just gave that creepy smile of his and said, ‘She’ll be back.’ ” Vicki pitched her voice low to imitate Arthur.
“What?” Allison had been sitting in the backseat of her car with the door hanging open, but at this she stood up. “He thinks I’m coming back to him?”
“I guess so.”
“Bastard,” Allison breathed.
“So you’re never tempted at all?” Vicki asked, more softly now, as if worried about her friend’s response to the question.
“No. Never. Never, ever. Even in the slightest.”
“Good. I’m proud of you.”
Allison laughed and said she needed to get back to work, so they hung up with promises to get together on the weekend.
When the call had ended, Allison’s smile faded. She stared at the phone in her hand, feeling suddenly like a failure.
Nothing she’d done in the last month would impress Arthur in the slightest. He’d never see it as a victory. It didn’t matter—of course it didn’t—but she would never get that small moment of vindication in proving she could be happy without her ex. He would never believe it was true.
“Allison,” a voice called out from the sidewalk.
She lowered her phone and straightened up when she recognized Rob, crunching through the gravel parking lot toward her. “Hey. What are you doing here?”
“I was walking over to Dora’s. I have a meeting in a little while and promised I’d get lunch.” He was grinning as he approached her, and he looked golden in the light, the sun gleaming off his brown hair and tanned skin.
“Oh. The meeting must be why you’re all dressed up today.”
Rob’s dressed-up look involved a long-sleeve shirt and a tie. She wondered if he even owned a suit. He tugged at his tie and made a face. “I hate this thing.”
She chuckled and then glanced over toward Dora’s. “Well, promise me you’ll get a salad for lunch.”
“Why would I get a salad?”
“You can’t eat burgers every day on top of eggs and bacon.”
Rob glanced down at his very flat belly and gave it a little pat.
“I’m not suggesting you’re getting fat,” Allison said with a laugh, looking away from his abs, since she had the sudden urge to touch them, even through his shirt. “I’m worried about your arteries.”
“My arteries are fine.”
She frowned at him and made a humming sound to show her disbelief.
He stepped forward, one of his hands curving around her hip. His voice was lower and thicker as he asked, “Shall I tell you what’s fine about you?”
Her breath hitched, and she flushed hot, but she managed to remove his hand from her hip. “We’re not doing that. Remember?”
His eyes were hot and soft and incredibly appealing as he murmured, “Maybe I was hoping you would change your mind.”
She was hit with a wave of attraction the likes of which she’d never experienced before. Her vision actually blurred and her knees were close to buckling. It would be so easy to lose herself for a while in this strong, sexy, good-hearted man. He would make her feel better about herself. He would make her feel better about everything.
He would make her feel good.
It just didn’t seem right, though, when she couldn’t imagine it ever turning into a long-term thing.
She gave him a little smile and pulled herself together. “I better get back inside. My break is over.”
He let out a hoarse sigh and stepped back. “Of course it is.”
She wasn’t sure what he meant by that, so she didn’t say anything as they walked inside together.
—
A week later Rob decided he was making some progress with Allison.
He was sure she was attracted to him. He’d seen it in her eyes more and more lately. She liked him too. She visibly brightened up whenever she saw him. Sure, he wasn’t her kind of guy at all, but people didn’t always go for the people they expected.
He wasn’t a bad catch. He had a good business, a house, and no debt, and he wasn’t the worst-looking person in the world. He wouldn’t be a bad choice for her.
Maybe when she was ready to start a relationship again after her divorce, she’d look to him.
He was eating his toast and watching her chat with Chelle in a lull between orders. It wasn’t a very busy morning. There were only three other tables occupied right now.
Chelle was telling Allison about spending the summers in her camper by the river. Allison’s expression was bemused—as if she couldn’t believe someone would want to do that—but she was listening for real, sincerely interested in understanding the appeal.
Rob could see it on her face. She liked Chelle, no matter how different they were. Allison had only lived in Fielding for five weeks and was still getting used to a very different culture, but she didn’t look down on the people around her.
He thought maybe she would really like it, once she got used to it.
He’d lived here all his life, and he never wanted to leave. It was a really good town to live in.
He was distracted from his thoughts by raised voices entering the restaurant. He recognized them even before he turned around to see Dee and Cali coming in.
He had to stifle a groan. He’d been doing really well with Allison lately. He didn’t want to scare her off with the messiness that still lingered
from his past mistakes.
He frowned as they both came over to sit on the stools next to him. Dee was screeching about how Cali never listened to her.
“Would you quiet down?” he rasped, leaning over and giving her a stern look. “What are you doing here so early?” They never came in for breakfast. The only reason either one of them would be here was to talk to him.
Dee turned toward him, as if about to unleash her anger on him. “Would you tell her she can’t see that jackass anymore?”
“Rob’s not my father,” Cali snapped. “He can’t tell me anything.”
The whole restaurant was hearing them. Rob couldn’t imagine what Allison would be thinking. He’d done a good job giving her the impression that he had it all together. This wasn’t going to help at all.
“But I’m your mom, and you never listen to me!”
Rob sighed. “Maybe we should talk about this later.”
“When later?” Dee snapped, turning back to him.
Allison came over then with her pad in her hand. “Can I get you anything?” she asked with her pleasant waitress smile. She wasn’t meeting Rob’s eyes, and that couldn’t be a good thing.
“Can’t you see we’re having a private conversation here?” Dee demanded harshly.
Allison actually stepped back in the face of this unprovoked rudeness.
“Dee,” Rob said, wishing he could restart this morning. “You don’t have to—”
“I’ll come back when you’re ready,” Allison murmured, dropping her eyes. “Just let me know.”
She was gone before Rob could say anything to make the situation better.
“You don’t have to be rude,” Rob said, trying not to express his anger, since that would only rile Dee up even more.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Dee cooed bitterly. “Did I upset your little girlfriend?”
Rob cringed. Allison was just at the other end of the counter. She had to be hearing every word.
“She’s not my girlfriend.” He started scrambling for ways to get them out of here quickly, even if it meant not finishing his breakfast.
“Well, you sure as hell make goo-goo eyes at her like she is.”
“Would you just stop it and tell me what you want?” Everyone was looking over at them. Allison was even looking over, although she was pretending not to.
