"This isn't exactly where I expected to find you on a Monday night," I say as I saddle up next to her, focusing on the variety of products on the shelf.
Lia startles a little but recovers quickly. She gives me a friendly smile and says, "I was hoping to help out and patch up a few nail holes. Whoever your mom rented the apartment to before me left it full of holes. It can't be that hard right?" she replies with a casual shrug.
"You live in the apartment above the bakery?" I ask. How did I miss that?
"Yeah. It's pretty convenient when it comes to getting up and being to work at five a.m."
"I bet. I drive thirty minutes one way to start at six in the morning," I tell her. "So, if you're looking to patch nail holes, you're looking for this," I say as I pull a small container of putty from the shelf. "It's easy to spread and easy to paint over."
"That's what I'm looking for," she says as she takes the jar from my extended hand. When our fingers touch, it's electrically charged and courses like lightning through my bloodstream. Lia gasps, eyes wide with shock, as she looks down at our touching fingers.
"Then you've found exactly what you need," I reply, referring to so much more than the spackle.
Lia clears her throat. "What … what are you looking for?" she whispers.
"The same thing you are," I reply and reach forward and grab a larger container of the putty.
"Huh. I'd say I'm pretty fortunate that you turned up in my aisle tonight then," she replies, her beautiful eyes still locked on mine.
"Indeed," I reply and clear my throat. "So, I was planning on grabbing a quick sandwich. Are you hungry?"
"Oh, well," she starts. I can see instantly when the light in her eyes fades and the door slams closed in my face. "I have an early morning tomorrow with work so I should probably just head home and go to bed."
I cock my head to the side and study her reaction. She's interested but for some reason, she's trying to shut me out. Interesting.
"Don't say no. I wasn't asking you to go out all night. Just a quick sandwich and then I'll return you safely to your car. You'll be home in plenty of time for bedtime," I say.
She's considering it, I can tell. She's mulling over the pros and cons and wrinkling her brow in this cute little way. As I watch her internal battle play out, I prepare for the letdown. I'm not sure what's holding her back, but something definitely is. It's written on her beautiful face.
"Umm, okay. Maybe just a quick sandwich," she finally answers quietly.
I'm in complete shock. Honestly. I wasn't prepared for her to actually say yes, though I'd hoped it would go that way.
"Great. Is this all you need?" I ask, as a reach down and grab a small putty knife from the shelf and hand it to her.
"Yes."
"Then let's make our purchases and head out," I say and I link my fingers around her elbow. She tenses instantly from my touch so I casually drop my hand as to not draw attention to the fact that I noticed it. She doesn't say anything and continues towards the check-out counter if not a little stiffer than before. I may not say anything, but I definitely make mental note of her reaction.
After we've each paid, we head out to my Mustang parked in the small lot next to the hardware store. "Hop in, and I'll drive. I'll bring you back to your car after dinner," I tell her casually as I hold open the passenger door.
Again, she hesitates slightly just enough that I notice. She walks around me and slides down into the gray leather interior. Once she's nestled inside my ride and has secured her seatbelt, I close her door and go around to my own.
"Frankie's?" I ask as I slide into the seat and secure my own seatbelt.
"Is that the burger joint just down the road?" she asks.
I shake my head up and down. "Best burgers around."
"Sounds good," she replies with a small smile.
We drive in silence the few blocks to Frankie's. I feel nervous. Nervous! I haven't felt nervous around a girl in years. You'd think this was my first time taking a girl to the drive-in burger joint. Shit, I've been taking girls to this burger joint since I was old enough to peddle my bicycle to town and ride with the girl sitting on the handlebars. But this is just another reminder of why Lia feels different.
Lia glances at the menu on the board next to the speaker. I love this drive-in. You don't have to get out of your car. Push the button, order your food, and they deliver it to your window as soon as it's ready.
"Know what you want?" I ask and glance over at the beautiful woman sitting in my car.
"Yep. Just a cheeseburger, deep fried pickles, and a cherry coke, please."
"Deep fried pickles? I think I love you," I tease with my best smile.
Lia laughs. "I could eat pickles all day long," she tells me.
"Me, too." I reply. "How about I get fried cheese curds and we share?"
"Sounds good," she replies with a smile. "But if there's an odd number, I get the extra one," she adds seriously which makes me smile.
I order her food, a double cheeseburger, the cheese curds, and a large coke for myself, and then we sit back and wait for our food to be delivered.
"So, where do you come from?" I ask.
Lia's reaction is instantly closed off. I almost miss the way she starts to mess with her fingers and her leg starts to bounce. Almost. "Oh, you know. Here and there."
"Here and there? That's vague," I reply casually.
"I'm just a private person, Nate. You can never be too careful, you know?"
And there she goes with the ‘be careful' bit again. I'd like to know what has her so closed off and scared. She might be the most evasive person I've ever met. I'm intrigued more than ever.
I decide not to push again and steer the conversation towards her work. "So how do you like working for my sister?"
"Avery is wonderful," she replies with a friendly smile. "I worked at a bakery while I was going through college and then afterwards for a few years," she adds with a shrug.
"Where did you go to college?" I ask, hoping that she doesn't clam up again.
"Down in Florida," she says nonchalantly. She doesn't elaborate, and, again, I don't push. I have a feeling that if I'm going to get answers from her, I'm going to have to bide my time and take this slow. She's completely withdrawn and the last thing I want to do is push her away. "What about you?" she asks as she picks at her cuticles.
"Born and raised here in Rivers Edge. Thought about leaving for about two minutes after high school. Ended up enrolling in the fire academy before the ink was completely dry on my diploma."
"So you work in St. Charles, is that right?"
"Yep. Been there for ten years already."
"You must really love it. Your eyes light up every time you talk about it," she says with a small smile.
"I do. Don't get me wrong, though, it's a hard job. The days are long and the work is grueling. And not every call has a happy ending," I reply and look distantly out the windshield. If she only knew some of the ghosts that haunt me in the dark, quiet night.
About that time, thankfully, the server brings out a tray of food. Saved from the heavy shit by mouth-watering, greasy burgers.
I hand the server a twenty as I start to distribute our food. Lia doesn't hold back as she removes the paper wrapper from the burger and dives in. With the first bite, she moans and her eyes roll back in delight. Fuck me. That was the sexiest, most erotic display of eating I've ever witnessed. Check my damn pants if you need proof.
I clear my suddenly dry throat. "Good?" I ask. It sounds deep and husky. Like sex.
"This may very well be the best burger I've ever had," she replies with a mouthful of food.
I can't help the laugh that erupts from deep within my gut. I don't think I've ever had a woman sit in front of me, devouring her big, juicy cheeseburger, and talk with her mouth full. She's not eating a salad, and I love it. I'd take a girl who will eat real, unhealthy food, any day.
"Told you they were the best in town," I reply before taking a huge bite of my own greasy burger.
"Well, you definitely didn't exaggerate. I may have found a new favorite while I'm in town," she replies. Something deep within my gut tightens. The thought of sharing this favorite with her is thrilling and yet terrifying on so many levels. Or maybe it's the fact that she said ‘while I'm in town' like she knows she's not staying.
We make small talk, nothing too heavy, as we consume our dinner. Lia let me steal a couple of her fried pickles without giving me too much grief, and in return, she ate more than her share of fried cheese curds. I don't even care. I would gladly give her every bit of food I have if it makes her happy. That smile. I'd give my left nut to see that smile on her face all the time.