The Moment You’ve Been Waiting For #2
Wyatt controlled himself as she sat at the counter, leaving an empty stool between them, exposing her scarred face and neck to his view.
Legs kept her voice low as she smiled at Ginny. “I’m doing some social media posts on small towns. I’ve chatted with Rachel and Piper so far. I actually did a short video outside your diner, and I’d love to do some of the inside when you don’t have customers.”
Ginny grinned. “That sounds fun.”
“Would you like to see what I shot? It won’t post for a couple of weeks. If you have social media, I can tag you when I do. If not, Piper gave me the town’s socials.”
Wyatt had no use for social media. Seemed like a waste of time and real life to him. But he kept his ears open as Legs pulled up the video.
“Hi, everyone. This is Esme. I promised to show you how the people of Phail use their town’s name to have fun and bring smiles to everyone around them.”
“Let me present the No Fail Diner. It’s easy to find, right on Phail Way and across from Phail Way Park in the center of town. Like every other business in town, it’s well-kept and pretty. Check out the gorgeous autumn blooms in these planters beside the door.”
“What do you think the No Fail Diner will serve? Tell me your guesses below. I’ll report back later with my order and how it tastes. For now, take care of yourselves and everyone around you. Talk to you next time.”
Wyatt hadn’t seen the video, but he’d watched Ginny’s reaction. She was thrilled with whatever she saw.
“That’s amazing, Esme. You’re so kind and have such a positive attitude. You’re more than welcome to take an indoor video. Thank you.”
From the back, Manuel called out. “Wyatt’s sampler is up.”
Ginny excused herself from Legs and grabbed Wyatt’s lunch—taquitos, quesadillas, empanadas, chips, homemade salsa, refried beans, and guacamole.
Wyatt’s stomach growled loudly, but he contained the drool. “This looks amazing.”
“And smells like heaven.” Esme’s soft voice had him turning to smile at her.
She lifted her eyes from his plate to smile back.
The knife wound had come near her mouth, and the muscles on that cheek didn’t work normally.
Her smile lifted higher on her right side, giving her a quirky look that didn’t detract in the least from her beauty.
In fact, the power of that lopsided smile nearly knocked him off the stool. Her dark eyes gleamed, and she turned to Ginny. “Can I have a scaled-down version of the same?”
Ginny grinned. “You heard the lady, Manuel.”
Wyatt turned his attention to his plate and inhaled. Heaven. When he dove in, it was even better.
A few minutes later, Esme turned to him. “Excuse me, do you mind if I do a video of my plate? I won’t have you or anyone in it. I want to show it off.”
Having a reason to look at her was good. He nodded as he lifted his eyes. “Go ahead.”
She rewarded him with a grin, then positioned her phone to face her food. “Hi, everyone. This is Esme, and I’m about to dive into this incredible meal. It smells even better than it looks.”
Her voice was quiet, but full of delight.
Another difference between her and Genn.
His ex had turned on her haughty attitude whenever they were in public.
It had been a shock the first time he’d seen it, but she’d said it was important for her career to appear confident and superior.
Even if she hadn’t cheated on him, they wouldn’t have lasted much longer.
Esme’s voice reached him.
“At first glance, you might think I’d crossed the country and the border into Mexico.
I didn’t. This authentic, incredible meal is brought to you by Manuel.
You can find him working at the No Phail Diner in Phail, Vermont.
Did any of you guess this diner would serve Mexican food in the last post?
I didn’t. What’s your favorite Mexican dish?
Tell me in the comments below. I’m off to devour this meal.
Take care of yourselves and each other. Until next time. ”
She closed the video and shoved it into her enormous purse, then dumped it on the floor by her feet. She shot him a grin and picked up a taquito.
Her reaction fired his blood. She closed her eyes while her face and lips tipped up in ecstasy. A soft moan escaped her, one he wouldn’t have heard unless he was tuned in to her.
She chewed and swallowed, the action sending all kinds of messages to his groin.
Her eyes popped open to grin at him. “Fantastic.”
He couldn’t agree more.
Even distracted by Legs, he inhaled every morsel on his plate. While he was sipping his coffee, Legs did the same. Ginny removed both their plates, and Esme smiled. “Best meal I’ve had in a long time. I hope the food at the No Phailed Apples Inn can come close.”
Was she staying at the inn? Or visiting someone on the farm? Or just showing up for dinner?
Ginny’s smile didn’t fade. “Seth is an incredible cook. And there’s something special about Mara’s apple fritters. Which room do you have?”
Legs laughed. “No idea. I got the phone number from Piper and made my reservation a few minutes ago. Could you give me directions?”
Ginny smiled at her, then turned to Wyatt. “I can give you better. Wyatt here is heading back out to the farm after we exchange our compost buckets. You can follow him there.”
A pretty flush covered Esme’s cheeks. “Is that okay? If you weren’t heading right out, it’s no problem. I’m sure I can find it. Or I can explore more of the town and meet you later.”
He knew it was dumb, but he wasn’t giving up a chance to introduce Legs to the farm. Once they were there, he’d offer to show her around. From everything he’d seen, she was nothing like Genn. Her emotions played across her face, and he didn’t sense any deception from her.
It wasn’t like he was jumping into a relationship with her. They wouldn’t even be in the same car. Once she was at the inn, he might not see her again. Hell, she could be meeting someone there.
Despite all his misgivings, he nodded at her. “I can head out any time you like.”
And during the ride back to the farm, he’d remind himself that a pretty face was only part of the whole package.