“Uh, yeah,” I said.
She had the right amount of pressure with each stroke and it wasn’t long before I said, “I’m gonna come. Like right away.”
She sank all the way down, sucked hard, and did this thing with her tongue in the slit and then on the tip.
“Oh, fuck, oh, fuck, oh, fuck.” That was my new mantra.
I must’ve shot the biggest wad down her throat, yet she didn’t seem to mind at all. She swallowed every last drop, sucking me dry, and then licking me clean.
“Lee, Lee, Lee, what have you done?”
“I just gave you head.”
I could only laugh at that. “You’re crazy. You know that, don’t you?”
“Uh huh.”
“Get up here so I can kiss you.”
She climbed on the bed and I grabbed and kissed her, pulling her on top of me. “Now I’m worthless for you.”
“I can take a raincheck.” Then she bolted up, saying, “Crap, what time is it?”
Checking my watch, I said, “Four. Why?”
“That doesn’t give us much time for the library. We need to get Glenn at five.”
“We’d better get a move on then.”
We laughed our way to the library, with me teasing her about how she gave me dead head—in both heads. “My brain and dick are worthless now.”
Once in the library, we had to go to the archives where the old newspapers were kept. Everything was on microfiche, so we began with the time her great-grandfather came home, which was December 1944. We didn’t begin to see anything until right before we had to leave. There was one article about him on April 5, 1945, and it included a small photo of him in his army uniform.
“Rusty, we have to leave.”
“At least we know where to start when we come back.”
“And maybe Mom will find some pictures too.”
Since we’d taken my truck, Lee directed me to her brother’s friend’s house. We both went to the door to get him. He opened the door and eyed me, then his gaze bounced to Lee.
“Glenn, this is my friend Rusty.”
I held my hand out for him to shake, which he did. He was a lanky kid of about Lee’s height with darker hair than hers, but his eyes were the same shape and color. “Pleased to meet you, Glenn. I’ve heard all sorts of cool things about you from your sister.”
“You have?”
“Well yeah.”
“Like what?”
“Like you’re a marketing genius and you’re going to change the dynamics of the cafe.”
He preened. “Oh, that. It was nothing.”
“No, that was ingenious and will really help out Jackson. You should be proud of that.”
“Okay. How come I’ve never seen you before?” he asked.
“Good question. That’s because I live in Virginia Beach.”
“Cool. What do you do over there?”
“I’m in the Navy.”
“The Navy?”
“Ever heard of it?” I asked. Lee was biting down on her lip trying not to laugh. By this time we’d gotten to my truck.
“Yeah. I’ve heard of it. Cool truck. Is it yours?”
“Yeah. Glad you approve.”
After we all climbed in and buckled up, Glenn continued his interrogation. “So what do you do in the Navy? Are you on a submarine?” His eyes grew to the size of golf balls.
“Nah. I have a boring job.”
“Like what.”
“I’m a Navy Seal.”
His mouth silently formed the words. “You mean you’re one of those guys that goes in somewhere in the middle of the night and kills people?”
“Not exactly, but we do go into places in the middle of the night sometimes.”
“Do you kill people?”
Jeez, he was relentless.
“Uh, Glenn, I think you might be asking questions Rusty isn’t allowed to answer.”
Glenn nodded. “I get it. Top secret stuff and all that.”
“Yep. If I tell you, then I’d have to kill you.”
Swear to God, the kid’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. “No kidding?”
“Nah, I’m just pulling your leg. I’d never tell you so there wouldn’t be an issue of me killing you.”
“Got it.”
Lee gave me the final directive and we pulled into her parents’ driveway.
“You staying to eat dinner with us?” Glenn asked.
“Not tonight, Scutt,” Lee said.
“I thought you weren’t gonna call me that anymore.”
“Old habits, you know.”
“Why can’t you stay?”
“We’re staying long enough for Rusty to meet Dad.”
“Oh, okay. But you should stay for dinner too.”
“We have plans.”
“What kind of plans? Kissy face plans?” He puckered up his lips and kissed the air. It was impossible not to chuckle.
Lee swatted at him. “Maybe,” she said. “Actually, nosy head, Jackson and I are going to talk about the interview tomorrow.”
He put his hand on top of her head. “You have my blessing, young grasshopper.”
“Get out of here you little goober.”
He bolted away and I said, “That kid has personality.”
“And is a pain in the neck.”
“You love it.”
“I admit it. Come on. Let’s meet Dad.” She took my hand and led me into the kitchen. Her parents were chatting when we interrupted them
“Dad, I want you to meet Rusty Garrett. Rusty, this is my dad.”
“Mr. Marston, a pleasure, sir.”
“My wife has been singing your praises. It’s glad I am to meet you. She’s a handful, that one,” he said, lifting his thumb in the direction of Lee.
“Dad! I’m not that bad.”
“Sure you’re not. Have I got some stories for you,” he said.
“I was in high school then. Jeez, can a girl catch a break?”
“Lee, you know better than to ask that.” He laughed.
“I’d be interested in hearing all about those stories, sir,” I said.
We hung out for a while and then headed out to meet Jackson. On the way to the car, I asked, “Are we really meeting Jackson, or did you just make that up?”
“We really are, and I don’t lie, Rusty.”
“Good, because I confess, that worried me a little.”
Lee and Jackson talked about what they wanted to cover and how they’d squeeze it into the interview if Mr. Ammons didn’t directly ask them the right questions. Jackson left, and we went to grab some dinner. We decided to get a pizza and eat it in the room.
We were stretched out on the sofa, eating and watching TV when Lee asked me what day I was going home.
“I have to leave the day after tomorrow, but let’s not think about it.”
“Good idea. That’s too soon.”
There’d been something I’d wanted to mention to her. I set my paper plate on the coffee table and leaned forward. Then I took her hand and said, “I’ve been thinking. Why don’t you come back to Virginia Beach with me?
Chapter Nineteen
Lee
* * *
Go back to Virginia Beach with him? Wasn’t that moving a bit too fast? Make that way too fast.
“Wait. I think you got the wrong impression. I meant just for a few days or so.”
Now I felt relieved but also like the biggest dork for jumping to such an extreme conclusion. “Riiiggghhht. I knew that. Yes. Just a few days. That would be totally cool.”
“You didn’t think I meant … no, you wouldn’t have … would you?”
“No,” I said, waving my hand through the air. But I had. I definitely had. And for that brief moment, I panicked but did wonder what it would be like to be with Rusty. Would we mesh? Would we work? No doubt there is something major between us, something tethering us together. I really don’t want to think about him leaving. And I want to explore us. “I’d love to go back with
you. But I need to clear it with Jackson since I’ve committed to her in a way.”
“Sure, I understand. I’d really love to show you around where I live, introduce you to all the guys, give you a tour of … am I moving too fast? Just tell me if I am.”
“I don’t think you can take me to work, Rusty. I don’t have top security clearance.”
“Right. But you can meet my squadron. There are a few jerkoffs in there, but for the most part, they’re top notch guys.”
“You say jerkoffs with affection, as if you like that about them.”
“I do. It’s what makes them who they are. You’ve met those people who seem to be assholes, but really aren’t? That’s what I’m talking about.”
“I know what you mean. They’re the ones who go on and on and can always one up you but will have your back in a heartbeat.”
“Exactly. Hey, will you get in trouble if you spend the night with me?” he asks.
“I’m pretty sure I’m past the getting grounded age.”
“Yeah, but Lee, I want your parents to like and trust me. I don’t want them to think I’m taking advantage of their daughter.”
“Don’t worry about what my parents think. I’ll handle them.”
He pulled me on top of his lap. “And will you handle me too?”
“You bet I will.”
I was pretty sure he was going to be doing most of the handling, but I wouldn’t tell him that. When his lips landed on mine, I sighed because he had a way of making me forget everything but him. All I wanted was Rusty. But I didn’t want to think about our time together coming to a rapid end.
The next morning, Rusty drove with me to the cafe. He was going to help with work so we could get finished to talk with Mr. Ammons, who was coming to the cafe for the interview. It seemed the breakfast and lunch crowds were thicker than usual. We worked our tails off, sliding from breakfast straight into lunch.
Rusty was a big help in keeping tables cleared and dishes washed. Every time there was an order ready, he didn’t hesitate to deliver it.
“I’m going to miss his help when he leaves,” Jackson commented.
“Me too,” I agreed.
“You’re going to miss him for other things, Lee.” She snickered.
“Oh shut up. By the way, would you mind me being gone a few days?”
“Hell yes, I’ll mind, but I won’t ever stop you. What’s up?”
“Rusty wants me to go back to Virginia Beach with him for a few days.”
“Oh my freakin’ God. That’s awesome!”
“Yeah.”
“Wipe that dreamy look off your face before you screw up an order, girl.”
Laughing, I said, “I don’t have a dreamy look on my face.”
“Like hell you don’t.”
Rusty came through the swinging doors and we both clamped our mouths shut. “You two talking about me?”
“Nope. We were talking about me,” I said. Then one of Jackson’s assistants dropped a pan. I flinched, and then hit the ground. Rusty was by my side in an instant.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Yeah.” I let out a shaky laugh. “Just a little residual PTSD. You know, loud noises.” Rusty helped me to my feet.
“You sure you’re okay?” he asked again.
“Yes.”
He nudged my shoulder. “Well, you two must’ve been talking about me before that happened.”
“Why do you say that?”
“It was sure quiet when I walked in. Usually you two are babbling up a storm.”
Neither Jackson nor I said a word. He chuckled and walked out with a tray of food to be delivered.
“He’s a good guy, Lee.”
“Yeah, he is. I think.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“What if he’s some serial killer?”
“Oh for the love of God. Do you honestly think that?”
“I don’t know.”
Jackson scratched her head. “Google him. If he is, it’ll come up.”
“Yeah. True.”
“Google his name and the navy and see what you get.”
“Okay.”
“Lee, if you don’t do it I will.”
“I’ll do it but not this minute.”
The door swung open again and Rusty said, “If you give me a minute, I’ll google my own self and show you both what comes up. But I can show you all my credentials if you’d like. I am not opposed to that at all.”
I’d never been so embarrassed in all my life. I covered my face and bowed my head.
He set the tray he was carrying down and came to my side. “Lee, it’s fine. If there’s one thing I want, it’s for you to feel safe around me.”
“You’d think I would’ve thought of that before I’d spent the night with you.”
“There is that,” he said with a grin. Then he hugged me into his side.
“Hey you two, we don’t have time for chit-chat,” Jackson yelled, then winked.
“Right,” I said, getting back to my work. I went out to check on the customers and the day rushed by. After our last guest was served their food, I noticed a middle-aged man enter the cafe. I went to the hostess stand to greet him.
“Are you Mr. Ammons by any chance?”
“I am.”
I held out my hand saying, “I’m Lee Marston. Welcome to the new I’ll Be Waiting Cafe. Let me get you seated and let Jackson know you’re here.”
I got him settled and took his drink order, then went back to the kitchen.
“He’s here, Jackson.”
“Great. She finished up cleaning the griddle, and washed her hands, then took off her chef’s coat.
“Rusty, do you mind handling our last customer?”
“Not at all. The only thing is, I don’t know how to handle the register.”
“Just grab us when they’re ready,” I said.
We went to join Mr. Ammons.
He fired off questions about my great-grandfather and his connection to the cafe. Jackson and I filled him in on all the details, leaving nothing out. We watched as he scribbled down note after note and when I got to the part about how we shared similar war injuries, he dropped his pen and exclaimed, “This is incredible. How has this story not been picked up by anyone?”
Shrugging, I said, “I don’t know. But I’m drawn to this place and imagine my surprise when I found one of my best friends from high school was the owner.”
Then Jackson grabbed my hand. “Aren’t you going to tell him about Rusty?”
Mr. Ammons asked, “Who’s Rusty?”
“I’m Rusty,” he answered, placing a refill of tea in front of Mr. Ammons.
“And how do you fit into all this?” Mr. Ammons asked.
I went on to fill him in on that part of the story, leaving out the weird part of Rusty meeting my maybe Great-Granddad in the wood shop. That was just way too freaky to share with anyone.
“Wow. Was this love at first sight?”
Oh, God. I didn’t expect that from him.
Rusty only smiled and I did too. “I think we’ll reserve that answer for now,” I said.
“I think I have enough for a great story that the people in these parts will absolutely adore.”
“Mr. Ammons, do you think the newspaper would have any archived photos from back in 1944. I know my great-granddad was here every day so I’m pretty sure someone had to have come around and taken some. We’d love to have some copies to hang on the walls here.”
“Let me see what I can do for you.”
After he was gone, we were sure I’ll Be Waiting would get a huge surge in business.
“Lee, if you’re going back to Virginia Beach with Rusty, you’d better go tomorrow after the photo shoot. I have a feeling I’m going to need some extra hands around here after that article runs.”
Mr. Ammons was sending a photographer from the newspaper to take photos of the cafe during breakfast tomorrow. And Jackson was right. This could have the potenti
al to explode her business.
Chapter Twenty
Rusty
* * *
We arrived at the cafe by six, even though they didn’t open until seven. Jackson was already busy, getting things going for her pancake batter and other specialties she served.
“I ought to stay in the kitchen for those pictures, ladies.”
“No way,” Lee said. “We’ve already been through this.” And we had. She was insistent I join in. It wasn’t all her though. Mr. Ammons requested I come along because of our story that Lee shared.
“It’s sort of awkward. I mean, this is Jackson’s time to shine and I don’t really belong.”
“Rusty, it’s not like you’re going to steal the show or anything. You’re only going to add to it.”
There was no point in arguing any further, so I went about the cafe setting things up. The photographer was set to arrive around eight.
We opened the doors at seven and tables began filling up. At eight, a young guy entered with a couple of cameras slung around his neck and Lee greeted him. He introduced himself as Greg and didn’t wait to start snapping away. The only posed shots he took were of Lee and Jackson holding up platters of some of the food they served for breakfast. The guy must’ve taken hundreds of photos and when he was done, I made him sit and eat. I recommended the house specialty—pancakes—and he didn’t leave a crumb on his plate. He promised to email Jackson a link to all the pictures.
“I think you two have hit the jackpot,” I said.
Lee brushed a lock a hair out of her eyes and said, “Yeah. I agree. That guy took pictures of everything. He wanted to see the menu too and asked about our hours of operation. Mr. Ammons said he’d put that in the article, but I pointed them out on the menu and Greg snapped a few shots of them.”
“Have you ever heard of a restaurant in Virginia Beach called She Sells Seafood?” I asked.
Jackson looked up from her prep station. “Who hasn’t. That place is known all over the state.”
“From what I understand, it takes weeks to get a reservation, and it was opened by a young woman who wanted to make a name for herself. She started out small and grew into what it is today by serving great food and pretty much word of mouth. With the help of that newspaper business, that could be you in a few years.”
I'll Be Waiting (The Vault Book 2) Page 10
