Chapter 3
HENRY
“And to think you called me a lovesick puppy. You’re practically drooling watching her walk away.” Miles finally speaks more than three words, and unfortunately, he’s right. I’m practically drooling like a dog.
“Is she new here?” I muster a response and drag my gaze away. Her freckled face drew me in a way that I can only assume being hypnotized feels like.
“No, we went to school together.” He leans back into his side of the booth. “I think she was a few grades below me so I don’t know much about her other than that.”
“Do you know her last name?” I sneak another peak at her as she finishes pouring coffee into a white mug.
“I think Winslow? Assuming she has the same last name as her mom.”
“Maisie Winslow…” I ponder the name. How have I never seen her before? Maybe our paths never crossed during my summers here… “Do you know if she’s seeing anyone?”
“I’m not.” She appears with our drinks in hand, startling me. “Sorry to eavesdrop, you hear your name and can’t help but listen.”
“Good things, I promise.” My smile is sheepish, which is very unlike me.
There’s a small grin on her face as she sets our drinks onto the coasters in front of us. I stare at her hands, so soft and delicate with a pale pink color painted across her fingernails.
“What can I get going for you guys food-wise?” She pulls the notepad and pen from her apron and looks to Miles.
“Bacon and cheese omelet, please.” He hands her back the menu and this is the first time he’s even given her the time of day.
This isn’t the Miles I know, he’s usually kinder.
He’s lucky he ghosted Jo before she had the chance to ghost him.
Clearly he would deserve it if this is how he treats women.
But I also know this isn’t him.
“And you?” She looks at me but I was so invested in her coffee pouring skills and Miles’ negative demeanor that I didn’t even focus on the menu.
“I, uh—” Fuck, I’m stuttering. For a girl that I’ve just met, she sure has me tied up in knots. I clear my throat and smile. “Surprise me, Maisie.”
“Surprise… you?” She’s cute with her cocked head and slightly furrowed brows.
“Yes, please. Order me whatever you think I’d like.” Leaning forward, my elbows on the table, I hand her my menu. “If you picked it out, then it’s already my favorite.” Her smile grows bigger and her cheeks rosier.
Something in me wants to keep making her smile like this.
“Alright, I’ll be back with your food shortly.” She walks away and I decide at that moment I want to know more about her.
“Alrighty, omelet for you,” Maisie arrives at our booth, setting down each of our plates. Before she can even say anything else, I snicker at my surprise plate in front of me.
“Kids pancakes, huh?” In front of me sat a stack of three pancakes with a smiley face made out of whipped cream and a cherry nose. It brings me back to the summers here with my mom and dad. I would always get the kids pancakes and a hot chocolate with extra whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles.
A bittersweet feeling looms in my chest over the simple surprise.
Once I became a teenager and only cared about girls and my appearance I stopped creating memories here, memories like pancakes with my parents. I was more worried about what the girls would think of me on vacation rather than enjoying the time I had here.
You spend your whole childhood wanting to grow up, just to wish back your younger years.
“I hope you like them.” Maisie fidgets with her hands and I can tell she’s second guessing her decision. “I added the cherry for a special touch.”
I look at her as I take a bite, refusing to break eye contact as I swallow—whipped cream and all. “Delicious and sweet.”
Just like her, I think to myself. Thoughts about whether or not her lips taste like the cherry on my plate.
Her eyes are on me and I make an in the moment decision by swiping my tongue across my lower lip.
The clap of her hands breaks us out of this trance we’re in.
“Let me know if I can grab anything else for you guys!” She speeds off and I try to keep my eyes on my plate but I can’t help them wandering to watch her as she moves onto helping other tables.
Customers look at her as if they’ve known her their whole life.
Smiling as she brings their plates, giving her hugs on their way out.
Almost like she’s Ruby Lake’s own golden girl.
To stop myself from thinking too much about her I lift my head to Miles. “So, what’s the plan today, boss?”
“To get you as far away from me as possible.” He stabs his fork into his omelet. Someone’s still a bit cranky.
“Well considering you asked me to stay here, I don’t think that’s gonna happen.” I take another bite of my pancake, smirking. “I’m thinking you should’ve gotten these pancakes instead, turn that frown upside down.” He’s not laughing but I sure as hell am as I take another bite.
“Are you going to do anything about this school girl crush you have going on?” He gestures to Maisie.
I scoff, trying my best to act nonchalant. “I don’t even know her.”
But I want to.
“When has that stopped you before?”
Leaning back and crossing my arms over my chest, I eye Miles. “Why should I be taking advice from someone who just ghosted someone and is playing the victim?”
“Touché.” He stabs at his omelet again. “I just think you two would… work. I saw the way you both looked at each other just now. Hell, your cheeks are red.”
Huh. That’s… unexpected, since I’ve never been in a relationship for him to even know how I would “work” with someone. Yet hearing that brings me a sort of comfort I can’t describe.
I’ve never been in a serious relationship but I’ve had a few situationships.
None of them ended too well. I always made sure to tell them—male or female—that it would be nothing more than friends with benefits.
It always worked for me until it didn’t.
I just wanted something physical, no feelings attached but sometimes my partner didn’t reciprocate, causing a mess in the end.
Meeting Maisie though… I want to know her, not just how we’d work in a bed.
“How are you two doin’?” Elaine comes back to our table, leaning a hip on Miles’ side of the booth.
I look in his direction hoping he’ll answer first but to no one’s surprise there’s no response.
“Taste’s amazing! I loved this place when I was little so I’m happy to be back.” I give her a wide grin.
“That makes me happy to hear, honey.” She looks back to Miles. “I’m having a barbecue soon to celebrate my fiftieth. I wanted to pass along the invite to you two. Maybe make some business partners,” she nudges Miles and then looks at me and winks, “or friends.”
“I could always use a friend or two while I’m in town, count us in,” I say, not caring if Miles agrees or not.
“Amazing, it’ll be at our house. I’ll get you more details soon.”
“I don’t know if I—” Miles starts before I cut him off.
“We’ll be there, what can we bring?”
“Just your young selves and a good time!” She pats Miles’ shoulder and goes onto the next table to check in on them.
As she walks away, I catch Maisie looking in my direction. I take the cherry and pop it in my mouth, our eyes lock on one another until she finally breaks the trance we’ve found ourselves in once again. Smiling and shaking her head, she walks toward another table.
Her smile lingers like the taste of the cherry on my lips—sweet. I’m already craving more.