11. Willow
WILLOW
“When I want something, I’ll do anything to get it.”
When he said those words, a part of me thought he wasn’t talking about the car anymore… He was talking about me. But that’s stupid. I just met this man this morning. There’s no way he could mean that about me…Could he?
Jenna would think so. She’s always believed in that love-at-first-sight shit and soulmates.
True love and all that sappy romance garbage.
Me? I believe that if two people like each other and work at their relationship, it may just be enough to keep things going.
Lord knows my parents weren’t an example of anything remotely close to a healthy relationship.
“So, have you ever heard of this restaurant?” Noah asks as he squeezes my hand.
After he reversed out of the driveway and started down the road, he held my hand again and hasn’t let go since.
“Nope.”
“Since you said burgers, I knew this would be the perfect place. What do you think of peanut butter?”
“Peanut butter?” Did I hear him right?
“Yeah.”
“I mean, who doesn’t love a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, but on a burger?”
“Yep. They have a burger called Purgatory…”
“Wait. The burger is named Purgatory. As in the bible?”
“Yep. You’ll see. Their whole menu is based on those kinds of names. The Rapture, and The Reaper. There’s one called Hell and another called Fate. My favorite is either Purgatory or The Cataclysm.”
“What’s on The Cataclysm?” I ask.
I’m intrigued. I’ve worked at a few restaurants over the years during college, and none really had fun names for their food.
“Pulled pork, mac-n-cheese, and jalapenos. I have them add a pile of No Judgement onto my fries too.”
“And that is?”
“Pulled pork and cheese sauce,” he says.
My stomach apparently thinks that’s the greatest-sounding thing in the world and growls. Please do not let him have heard that.
“Oh, my God. That sounds amazing.”
“Good. You’re going to love it.”
He lifts my hand and kisses the back of it along my knuckles before returning his attention to the road.
I watch as the lights around us go whizzing by.
Hearing the steady hum of the engine. Feeling the occasional bumps from potholes.
It’s…strange. I’ve lived around here for the last few years, yet I can’t remember a time that I ever just drove around.
It was always to school or work, never out to bars or restaurants, really.
I went to the occasional movie and, of course, to the grocery store, but never just drove around to see the area.
“We’re here.”
He pulls the car into a parking lot along a building thats similar to how I remember the old Big Boy restaurants looked when I was a kid.
Windows run along the entire front, and a big sign out front says, “The World's End Craft Burger Bar”. Apparently they have eighteen beers on tap. I’m more of a tequila girl, but I might try a beer with the burger.
I go to open my door, but Noah places his hand on my leg, just above my knee, and stops me.
“Hold on. Let me get the door for you.”
I wait patiently as he walks around the front of the car. He glances around the parking lot as if he’s watching for something and making sure the area is secure. He opens the door, and I’m still shocked at how these doors open. It’s almost like the futuristic cars from Blade Runner.
He holds out his hand to help me out of the car. These stilettos aren’t too high, but they’re definitely taller than I’m used to wearing, so I need to get the right angle with each step so I don’t face-plant and make a fool of myself…more than I already have today.
We walk toward the bar, and I can already hear the sounds seeping from the building. Old school rock and roll, just like my grandpa used to play. The door has a small hand-painted sign that says:
You found us.
Welcome to
The World's End!
Craft Burger Bar.
It’s unique and definitely has the feel of one of those bars that makes you feel like you’re family because the people working there know everyone. It’s one of the things I miss most about some of the restaurants I used to work at. Some of my regulars I even knew by name.
“Welcome to The World’s End, Willow,” Noah says as he opens the door for me.
I’m surrounded by the scent of burgers, beer, and fried food. My stomach growls again as I take in all the familiar scents. A woman comes over and greets us before leading us through the bar and into the room with all of the windows.
I can’t keep my eyes focused on one area alone because there’s so much.
On the wall above the doorway is a completely filled chalkboard.
There are upcoming events listed, their daily specials, and even the eighteen different beers on tap right now.
It’s cool. I figured they would just have written out what kind it is, but they actually have where the brewery is, what style it is, and the alcohol proof.
Most of the beers on the list right now are from Michigan.
There’s one major thing that has my attention, though. On the ledge that runs under all the windows across the whole wall are stacks, and I mean many, many stacks, of games. Board games and card games. If you can think of one, chances are it’s in this very room.
“This place is amazing,” I gasp as I continue to look around the room in awe. It’s unlike any restaurant I’ve ever been to before.
“I figured you’d like it.”
He takes my hand and leads me over to the corner table under the window. The waitress had left the menus and silverware there for us.
“I had her grab us a couple of waters. I figured you’d probably like to look at their drink menu before deciding anyway,” he says as he sits across from me and pulls off his leather jacket.
The black shirt he’s wearing is short-sleeved. I have to bite my cheek to keep my mouth from falling open at the sight of this man. His arms are wrapped in tattoos. Fuck. I’m a sucker for tattoos. I’m a goner.
“See anything you like?” he asks coyly, and I quickly lift the menu to cover my face so he can’t see my cheeks blushing.
I have a feeling he was not talking about the menu.
“Can I get you something to drink, Hun?” the waitress asks.
“I think I’m just going to get the Butter Beer cocktail, please.” It sounds delicious.
“Good choice. I’ll take one too, please.”
“Perfect. Were you ready to order or do you still need a few minutes?” she asks, looking over at me.
“If you wouldn’t mind giving us a few minutes, please. This is her first time here,” Noah says, and the waitress smiles at me.
“I’ll give you a few minutes. If you have any questions at all, just ask. I know it’s a lot. We also have a ton of special sauces. Seven deadly sauces to be exact…Like the seven deadly sins,” she says with a small laugh before walking over to the next table that has just been seated.
“Holy shit, there’s so much,” I say as I glance over all the different menu choices.
“Choose multiple if you want to try more than one. You can always take some home, or we can split a couple too.”
“But I thought you said your favorites were The Cataclysm and Purgatory?” I ask.
He smiles at me over the top of his menu, and I can feel the butterflies swarming in my chest.
“I have favorites, but I’m always willing to try something new.”