Chapter 19
LEXI
W e ride across town in a limo and are let out in front of a small building with a faded burger on the sign hanging crooked from the brick. I think it says Frankie’s , but I’m unsure because the sign isn’t illuminated and the paint is faded. It has character. I like it.
I turn to him, and he smiles.
“We’re here.”
“Great. I’m starving,” I admit, walking to the door.
When I’m close, he opens it and follows behind me.
Inside, there’s only enough room for five two-person tables. It’s cramped, and the menu is handwritten in Sharpie on faded poster board, but I can still see the three combos they offer.
A tabletop fan blows toward the cash register, fluttering pink ribbons from the center. It reminds me of my childhood and growing up in the Texas heat.
“Easton,” an older man says from the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel before coming up front.
He has a Buddy Holly vibe with dark-framed glasses and a clean-cut haircut, but his mustache sets him apart. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s Easton’s age with a dash of salt and pepper in his hair.
“Hey, man, long time no see.”
Easton smiles, looking like a diamond in the rough, like he doesn’t belong. “Frankie. I want you to meet Lexi.”
He holds his hand out to me. “Hi, Lexi. Short for Alexis?”
“Actually, yes.” I take his firm grip. “Pleasure to meet you.”
“Where ya from?” he asks, and I wonder how Easton knows him. “Catching a hint of Southern.”
“Texas,” I explain with a smile. “West Texas.”
“Ahh, yes. I can hear it now. So, what’re you two lovebirds having?”
Easton looks at me as I stare at the menu one last time before I order. “I’ll have a cheeseburger with onions, lettuce, and mayo. Seasoned fries. Bottled Coke.”
Frankie looks at Easton. “You told her your order?”
“No,” he says. “Pure coincidence.”
“Hope you enjoy your meals,” Frankie tells us, returning to the kitchen. “Two patties down,” he yells over his shoulder.
As soon as the hamburger meat hits the grill, I hear the sizzle.
Easton pays with a hundred and tells him to keep the change. We move to one of the small tables with mismatched chairs.
He pulls mine out for me and I sit. Afterward, he grabs our sodas and pops off the caps, using the bottle opener bolted to the counter’s edge, before joining me.
“Another place you frequented with your grandfather?” I ask as he hands me the icy-cold bottle.
He stops before placing the bottle to his perfect lips. “Not this place. Frankfort—or Frankie, as he likes to be called—and I attended Harvard together.”
“Seriously?”
“Yeah.” He shrugs. “Some dream of being CEO; others dream of owning a hamburger stand. But the Italian place, yes, I frequented it with my grandfather. How’d you know?”
“The menu had a history section that mentioned what your family did to save their business.”
He grins. “Ahh, so you do pay attention.”
“More than you realize.”
“Well”—he takes his drink—“Frankie’s is one of my tests. I’ve brought every woman I’ve ever dated here.”
I snort, glancing around, noticing the mousetrap in the corner. I’ve eaten at some sketchy-looking taco trucks, so I’m not concerned. However, this isn’t a date location for a Calloway. I don’t understand.
“Because the burgers are fab?”
“The burgers are good, but it’s mainly to watch how they react.”
My mouth falls open, then I burst into laughter. “That’s a dick move. I can imagine the entire scenario. She dresses in an expensive cocktail dress and Louboutins, expecting a Michelin-starred meal, but you take her here .”
He shrugs, smirking. “I can’t be with someone who thinks they’re too good to eat with their hands at a friend’s restaurant, regardless of how it looks.
I crave normalcy, Lexi. It’s not about extravagant shit.
I don’t want to perform twenty-four/seven or have heads turn when I walk into a room.
I want to eat a meal, maybe spill some ketchup on my shirt, and go home without fanfare. ”
I search his face. “If you keep telling me your secrets, I’ll be able to make my next millions by writing a book called How to Snag Easton Calloway .”
“So damn glad you signed that NDA,” he says with a chuckle. “Guess you’ll have to keep it to yourself.”
“It’ll go with me to the grave.” And I mean that.
Easton needs someone who doesn’t mold herself to be his dream woman. He needs someone who just is .
“So, what would happen after you walked inside? Would you judge her on her burger order? She chooses pickles, and she’s out?”
He chuckles. “That’s a great idea. I fucking hate pickles. But the truth is, no one ever ordered, only me, and I’d sit here and eat a cheeseburger alone while they tried to make small talk. I’d say a few words, but was unamused and disappointed.”
My mouth slightly parts.
He nods. “We’d sit at this exact table on day fourteen.”
Our burgers and fries are slid in front of us.
“Wow, so this is the final test.”
“Yep. And everyone failed.” Easton grins. “Except you.”
“And that’s why I’m going to be your wife,” I say, meeting his eyes.
“You are,” he says, causing butterflies to haunt me.
We pick up our burgers at the same time.
“Cheers,” I tell him, moving mine forward, and we tap them together.
After one last glance, we take a bite simultaneously. Grease runs down our faces, and there’s mayo on his cheek. We laugh, reaching for napkins.
I swallow down my first bite. “Okay, you said they were good, but this is fucking amazing.”
“Right? The best I’ve ever had, but I like to downplay it in case you think it sucks,” he says, picking up a fry and putting it in his mouth. “Five out of five, and I’ve eaten a lot of cheeseburgers worldwide.”
“Humblebrag,” I say between bites. “But, yeah, same. My dad’s favorite meal was a cheeseburger with mustard and onions. I’d eat at questionable places with him over the years when we attended vintage car shows and auctions.”
His expression softens. “Do you miss your dad?”
“Yep. Every day. But you learn to live with it after a while. And sometimes, when I’m reminded that he’s not here anymore, it steals my breath.
I tell myself he’s on a road trip around the US, driving in a hot rod with his hand hanging out the window, listening to old country music.
” I smile and suck in a sharp breath. “At least it’s a nice thought because he was the world’s worst at answering his cell phone.
So, in my mind, it’s almost believable.”
“I’m so sorry, Lexi.”
“Thanks.” I try to push the thoughts away.
“Now, I only have to worry about my mom, but my two older brothers are around, helping her with the ranch. She dates random men, trying to find what she lost, but never commits.” I shake my head.
“I think I just realized I’ve been acting like my mother. Wow . ”
“Yikes,” he says, and I toss a fry at him, but he catches it and pops it into his mouth.
Mom had true love with my father. I had some fucked-up version that I thought was real. Boy, was I fooled. My ex knew exactly what to say to me to appease me. I think that’s why I couldn’t believe he had a second life with someone else.
“I’ve been thinking about my past relationship and what I miss about it.”
“Yeah?” He listens intently as we eat.
“Companionship. The sex was never good, so it’s not even that. Years of bad sex—it sounds like a curse I got from a witch in the woods.”
Easton chuckles and nearly chokes. My eyes widen, and I’m two seconds away from doing the Heimlich, but he waves me away when I stand.
“Don’t go dying on me,” I whisper, sitting back down. “The rumors would be awful. Everyone would think I did it!”
He catches his breath. “So, you want companionship?”
“And amazing sex,” I whisper.
“That would complicate things.”
I take a sip of my drink. “Would it?”
“I wouldn’t want you falling in love with me, Lexi. And once that happened, you’d be a fiend, begging for more.” Easton picks up a napkin, trying to hide his smirk, that one that drives the tip of Cupid’s arrow straight into my heart.
“Don’t flatter yourself.”
He gives me a cocky-as-fuck shrug. “I’ve been told I’m addictive, like a drug.”
I chuckle. “And I’m sure you believe it.”
“Seeing is believing, darling.”
He finishes his fries, and when his phone buzzes, I take the opportunity to excuse myself.
“I need to go to the ladies’ room. I’ll be right back.”
He laughs. “Good luck in there.”
I turn to him. “I’ll be okay.”
I move my chair under the table before walking around the corner and down the long hallway. The restroom is at the end, and when I enter, I take a deep breath and close my eyes tight.
Needing confirmation, I pull my phone from my back pocket and text one of my best friends from home, the only one who can give logical advice without emotions or matchmaking. She’s a computer genius, the most intelligent person I’ve ever met. We’ve been best friends since we were kids.
Lexi
How do I tell if I’m falling in love?
Her text bubble immediately pops up.
Remi
If you could invite anyone to hop in your dad’s hot rod and go on a road trip with you … who’d that be?
Lexi
Fuck.
Remi
Falling in love is the easy part. Keeping it is when it gets complicated.
Lexi
Smart woman. Thank you.
Remi
I hope to see you soon!
Lexi
We’ll see. I might have someone I want y’all to meet.
Remi
Girl, don’t get my hopes up! I’ll stick my boot up your ass.
I tuck my phone in my pocket and move to the mirror. I feel like I’m floating, but that happens anytime I’m around him for too long.
I will keep my end of the bargain.
I have to.
After I feel a bit calmer, I return to Easton.
“You okay?”
“Great,” I say, smiling.
Easton carries our baskets to the front counter.
Frankie waves at us. “Bye! Hope to see you again, Lexi!”
“You will,” I tell him.
We leave, the bell on the door clanging our departure before we get in the car that waited for us.
“My father called. I took two weeks off to be with you, Lexi,” he says as we zoom off. “Ready for an adventure?”
“I’ll go anywhere with you.”