Sean looks at the sandwich like it might bite him. He tilts his head sideways and looks at the frozen shake melting out the side of the sandwich. “And you can assure me that I won’t die from eating this?” He lifts it and takes a bite. There’s a crazy-ass expression on his face, like he can’t decide if it’s delicious or disgusting.
I shrug my shoulders as I make my own little weird burger. “I don’t know. This is the first time I’ve put these together.” When I put the bun back on and lift the burger to my mouth, Sean’s blue eyes are wide. He’s staring at me. “What?”
“I’m waiting to see if you’re screwing with me or if you plan on eating it, too.” He’s smiling, like he’s trying not to laugh.
“Oh, I’m eating it.” I grin at him and stuff the food in my mouth, taking a huge bite. The lettuce and ice cream are cold, while the rest of it is hot. The textures and tastes mix in mouth.
Sean watches me chew. “What’s your verdict?”
I smile and wipe some chocolate from the corner of my mouth. “It’s the most confusing thing I’ve ever eaten. It’s sweet and salty, hot and cold. It’s like the bipolar burger.”
“Created by the slightly insane spray-start car girl,” Sean says smiling at me. He takes another bite and makes a strange face when he swallows. I can’t believe he’s eating it. “I still can’t decide if it’s good or gross.”
I point a fry at him and say, “Eat the whole thing and then decide.”
“I think you’re just trying to see what you can put in my mouth, Miss Smith.” Sean’s eyes sparkle as he leans across the table and speaks in that velvety voice of his.
I poke him in the nose with a French fry. “I already know what I can put in your dirty mouth, Mr. Jones.”
He feigns shock and presses his fingers to his chest. “And I’ve barely told you about myself. My, my, what keen eyes you have…amongst other things.” There’s an older guy at the next table. He glances at Sean, his eyes wide.
My face flames red. I hide behind my burger, acting like I’m going to take a bite, but it just hovers in front of my face. Sean presses a finger to the food and pushes it back to the table. I glance up at Sean. There’s a wicked look in his eye. “How can you be so shy after what we just did? There were people, Avery, and you didn’t even pause. But this, talking about it later, this makes you blush?” He’s laughing, smiling at me, teasing.
I slap his arm. “I’m a complicated person, what can I say?”
The man next to us clears his throat. He’s thin, with leathery looking skin and silver hair. A green ball cap sits on his head. He’s wearing a flannel jacket. With his tray in his hand, he stands and says to me, “Be careful with that one.” His eyes flick to Sean as he passes us, like the old guy doesn’t like him.
The smile fades off of Sean’s lips, but I call after the guy. “Actually it’s the other way around.”
The old guy gives me a look when he dumps the trash off his tray. He walks out without another word.
“So, random men warn you away from me and that’s your response?” Sean looks at me oddly. I can’t tell if he’s playing with me or really wants to know.
“Random men say lots of things to me. One guy was like, that guy stole your car! He was really sexy. Turns out that he’s a bit of a sex fiend.” I laugh lightly and smile at him. Sean’s eyes hold mine and I feel my stomach sink. I said the wrong thing.
But Sean glazes over it. “I was kind of shocked. Most girls would scream and call the cops if they got carjacked.”
I point a fry at him and say, “I’m not most girls. I flashed half of Long Island that night jumping on and off your bike.”
Sean watches me. I can tell he’s going to say something terrible. I don’t want to hear it. I try to talk over him, but he puts his hand over mine and cuts me off. “You know that things can’t stay like this, don’t you? I’m not this guy.”
I don’t understand what he means. How can he not be himself? But, suddenly his words snap into place. There’s a darker version of Sean. This lighter one isn’t real. It’s an illusion. I pull my hand away and pick at my food. “That’s fine. I’m not this girl.”
“Avery,” he snaps, with a be serious tone.
“Sean,” I mimic him back, using the same voice. “Don’t tell me what I do or don’t see. I know you’re a fucked up mess, okay. So am I. I’m okay with it.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” His voice is cold, warning. The rest of the meal passes in tense silence. I don’t know what to say to him. After everything that happened today, I feel closer to him and this feels like he’s pushing me away. I don’t understand why. Every time things seem okay, he acts like this. It’s driving me crazy.