Eight
Summer
Me: I was raised to never lie
Joe’s—a diner just outside of Ellingbrook—is rather packed but considering it’s a Friday night, I should’ve expected this. River and I are lucky enough to be able to sit in a corner booth. Granted, River offered two teenagers who were on a date twenty bucks to switch seats.
Did River kind of downplay how nice it is to have a corner booth, especially on a date? Yeah, he did. Was I going to do anything about it? No. No, I wasn’t. I’m selfish, okay? I wanted the corner booth.
“And what can I get y’all tonight?” Lacey, our waitress, smiles.
Her blonde, curly hair is pinned back and the blue and white diner uniform reminds me of something pulled straight from Grease.
River orders first, getting a bacon cheeseburger. He looks at me from across the table. “Are you doing the chicken Caesar salad?”
I smile because yes, that’s what I usually get but tonight I feel like treating myself.
“No, actually,” I say, catching River off guard. “I’ll take the garlic butter steak—medium rare—and cheesy mash potatoes.”
River nods his head, seeming impressed with me loosening the reins on my usually strict diet.
We thank Lacey and hand her back the menus. When she leaves, River is grinning at me. All amusement and teasing already on his lips.
“Wow, we really are treating ourselves tonight.”
“Yeah.” I shrug, acting like this isn’t a big deal. It’s just food. I mean, food I’m excited for and won’t hesitate to scarf down, but there’s no need for River to be looking at me like he’s proud or something. “It’s a special occasion.”
I look down at River’s white dress shirt and crooked tie.
The hair that usually hangs in front of his face is now brushed back, giving me a better view of his brown eyes.
He looks great but I don’t know why he decided to pair the look with black cargo shorts.
Honestly, I wouldn’t put it past him to not own a single pair of nice slacks.
His attire is accompanied by my own. Luckily, I packed this plum silk slip dress when I moved out here. I was starting to think I didn’t need it after having worn it only once on a date with Savannah.
And what I meant by “special occasion” is that River and I are playing one of our favorite games.
Operation Newlyweds.
We learned a few years ago that people tend to give free things to newlyweds for some reason. Young newlyweds to be exact. So to play the part, we dress up.
I look around Joe’s. The retro diner has always had a certain appeal. Like we’ve somehow been transported to the 1950s.
I notice an older woman staring at me. Well, more like she’s staring in my direction.
I look down at my hands that are resting on the table to see what has the woman’s attention.
Whenever River and I play Operation Newlyweds, I purposely put one of my rings onto my left finger just to really play the role.
The woman’s eyes finally meet mine and her smile widens.
“It’s date night, I’m assuming,” the woman asks over the loud chatter.
River and I look at each other and I hold up my left hand.
“We actually just got hitched.” The lie comes out of my mouth rather easily.
Like that’s something that would be normal for River and me.
I do, however, feel sort of awful for the lie, especially when the woman gasps and tugs on the sleeve of the man sitting next to her.
“Ricky.” She finally gets his attention pulled away from the small old television hanging up in the corner of the diner. “Aren’t they just the most adorable newlyweds?”
Ricky’s eyes take one quick sweep in our direction before grumbling something that sounds like a congratulations, just to quickly turn back to the TV.
I look up to see what’s playing. I can’t help but snort when it’s just the news.
“Thanks,” River beams.
Ricky’s wife turns back to River and me. She scooches her chair just slightly closer to our booth. I can’t help but smile at how adorable she is. Her bob is neatly curled and she’s wearing a matching blue cardigan and dress set. She’s actually having a date night.
I can’t possibly tell her the truth now.
“How long have you two been together?” the woman asks.
At least that’s one part we can be semi truthful about. In fact, the answer actually adds to our lighthearted lie.
“He’s been my best friend for ten years.” I reach over the table to rest my hand on top of River’s. He doesn’t pull away. Only because it sells the whole newlywed thing we’ve got going on, of course. I’m sure of it.
River adds, “Yeah, it was just me and her, side by side on the playground. I figured it was about time I put a ring on that pretty little finger.”
I try to keep my composure because there’s no reason for him to suddenly start pulling out a Southern accent. We’re literally in New York right now, and he’s from Korea. English isn’t his first language. River is far from a Southern man.
The lady gasps. “Ricky, did you hear that?”
Ricky nods without looking away from the TV but his wife continues. “We were childhood friends as well. He’s been my one true love since we were six years old. I think it’s really important to be friends with someone first before ever being involved romantically.”
River flips his hand around to interlace our fingers. “I couldn’t agree more.”
The way River looks at me always makes the noise stop.
Both internal and external. It’s almost like he can see right through me, which is both terrifying and exhilarating.
My surroundings fade away and all my attention is honed in on him.
It should scare me how easily my world can revolve around him but sitting in this booth, wearing my best dress and a fake wedding ring around my finger, I can’t bring myself to care tonight.
“Well.” The woman’s voice breaks through our little bubble.
“I remember being a young newlywed couple once and I know how pricey things can be, especially when you’re thinking of children.
” She winks and my throat goes dry. Not just because I don’t even want kids but because River and I will definitely not be partaking in the activity that makes a child.
“My husband and I would love to pay for your meal.”
Ricky finally gives us the time of day and I’m fully convinced that he’s about to tell us and his wife no, but instead he leans over and places a kiss on his wife’s forehead.
“That’s fine, Darla.”
She scrunches her nose and smiles.
Tricking people into giving us free things is supposed to be fun and now all I want to do is give both Ricky and Darla a hug and admit to them that River and I are assholes.
I think if I told the truth now, I would just feel worse and it looks like Lacey is bringing our food over, so how can I possibly say no to Darla’s offer?
“Thank you,” River and I say in unison.
“You’re really sweet,” River adds. “You’ve made this night that much more special.”
“Oh, please.” Darla waves us off. “This is nothing compared to the romance that will ensue later tonight, I’m sure.”
I choke on my beverage and Lacey walks up at the wrong time, only having heard the last part of the conversation. She tries to not pay any mind to Darla’s comment but her cheeks have gone red. Under the table, River nudges my leg with his foot.
He looks at me, wide-eyed, silently telling me to play it cool.
I clear my throat and try to keep a straight face. “Oh, I don’t know about that.”
“I might be old, but no need to be modest, sweetheart. It’s only natural after you say I do,” Darla explains in all sincerity.
I have to pinch my arm that rests under the table because I catch myself thinking of certain scenarios that River and I could possibly find ourselves in. Ones that involve our clothes off and definitely not around Darla, Ricky, or Lacey.
Get it together, Summer.
I’m finally hanging out with my best friend and it feels good, better than it has been these past few months. I’m not going to ruin this with feelings.