Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 91490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
“See you again,” she says. “Maybe up at the Colorado Club.” She smiles wide, and then holds her finger over her mouth, like it’s a secret.
After I exit the vet’s office, I look up and down Main Street, trying to orient myself. Last time I was here, I was only focused on getting out of my wedding dress. I didn’t bother figuring out the lay of the land. When I see a sign for pancakes, my stomach starts to rumble. It’s fate, just like everything else since the bus dropped me off.
The Galaxy Diner is as cute as can be. The floors are black-and-white checkered tile and the chairs are cherry red. There are booths by the window and tables in the center of the restaurant. It’s not busy, but a handful of patrons are scattered through the space, enjoying waffles and coffee and whatever that delicious smell is…
“Take a seat,” a woman with a pencil in her hair calls over the counter. “I’ll be over in a second.”
I slide the cat carrier into a booth and follow it. “Be a good cat,” I whisper. “I don’t want to get thrown out before I get coffee and pancakes.”
Athena gets the memo because I don’t even get a meow in response.
I glance up at the ceiling and see lots of different-colored spheres hanging from the ceiling. I guess that’s what gives the diner its name.
Rachel, if the name embroidered on her shirt is accurate, comes over, takes the pencil from her hair and asks for my order. I scan the menu and realize I’ve never ordered my own food at a restaurant, let alone dined on my own. Frank always ordered for me if we went out, and the two times we went out to eat as a family, Mom ordered for all of us.
“Are the waffles good?” I ask.
“They’re great,” Rachel replies.
“Maybe the pancakes…” I’m not sure. I could just do eggs. “What’s the chef’s specialty?”
Rachel narrows her eyes like she’s not quite sure what I’m asking her. “The pancakes are good,” she says. “And the waffles. It’s all good.”
I chew on the inside of my cheek. As I’m deciding, the bell over the door chimes. When I glance up, I lock eyes with Byron.
My breath catches, and I pull off my scarf, suddenly too hot. He was the last person I was expecting to see here. His hands are shoved in his dark blue jeans, his navy sweater fitted close to his torso. He looks even more handsome in the natural light of the diner’s huge windows. Shouldn’t he be at the Colorado Club, doing things owners of billionaire retreats do?
“I’ll take the pancakes,” I say, and hand her back the menu, unable to tear my eyes from Byron.
It occurs to me that he might be looking for me. Before I can second-guess myself, I smile at the thought. “Hey,” I mouth.
He nods at me and heads to the counter, sliding onto a stool.
I glance back at Rachel, who’s looking between me and Byron. “Syrup and butter on the side, please. And a cappuccino.” Athena is going to have to carry me home.
“You want bacon?” Rachel asks. “Hash browns?”
“Just the one diabetic coma this morning, thanks.” The truth is, I’m all maxed out on decision-making. Choosing pancakes was hard enough.
She shrugs. “You betcha.”
She turns, swiping Byron over the head with her pad of paper as she passes him.
“Rachel,” he mutters in response.
“Heard you were back in town.” She rounds the counter.
“You heard right.”
“It’s been a while.”
He sighs and ignores her comment. “Can I get a coffee and some scrambled eggs?”
He seems grumpy this morning. Maybe I should leave him alone, but I feel like I should ask if he wants to come sit with me and Athena. He’s my neighbor and my boss; I don’t like the idea that he’s in a bad mood and doesn’t have anyone to talk with about what’s bothering him.
Once again, I shove down the voice of doubt inside. I slide out of the booth and head over to Byron.
“Hey,” I say.
He flips his cell so the screen faces the counter, and turns to me. “Hey.”
“Athena and I have a lovely spot by the window if you want to join us?”
He narrows his eyes. “Athena?”
“The cat.”
“Oh yeah. For a moment there, I thought you were sharing your waffles with a Greek goddess.” His expression is blank, like he’s not trying to be funny. Is it weird that I find him hilarious?
I grin. “Uh-huh.”
He shrugs. “It’s a good name for that cat.”
“Right?”
“Look, you don’t have to invite me to join you because I’m your boss and you’re worried you pissed me off. I’m not going to have you fired.”
“The thought never occurred to me until just now, so… thanks? But for one, you need all the staff you can get. And two… I don’t believe that’s who you are.”