“Bossy Royce is back,” she says, pulling out of my hold and making her way down the hall.
I watch her go, wearing a smile larger than I can ever remember. She brightens the day, and to have her here in my space, prancing around my house in my clothes…. Yeah, a real bright fucking day indeed.“This place is awesome. Do you come here a lot?” Sawyer asks just as Rosie steps up to the table.
“Mornin’, Royce. ’Bout time you brought a pretty lady in with you.” She turns her attention to Sawyer. “Rosie, nice to meet you. What can I get you to drink?”
“Um, orange juice and a glass of water, please.”
“Comin’ right up.” Rosie moves to the table a few over from us and asks for their drink order.
“I guess that answers my question.” Sawyer chuckles. “I take it this is your stomping ground?”
“Maybe.” I shrug. “This place is a gem. Off the beaten path, so most tourists never discover it. I come here often enough. Mostly on the weekends for breakfast.” Often enough is about every weekend. Rosie works the morning shift, so she and I have become quite well acquainted.
“All alone?”
Is she fishing? Or maybe just confirming what Rosie let slip? “I’ve never brought anyone here,” I say as my phone rings. Reaching into my pocket, I see Marshall’s name on the screen. I never send my brothers to voice mail, and although I’m tempted to do so now, I swipe my finger across the screen to answer. “Hello?” I ask, holding a finger up to Sawyer as I mouth “Marshall,” letting her know why I took the call.
“What are you doing right now?” he asks.
“Uh, just getting breakfast, why?”
“I was thinking about taking the boat out today. You in?”
I glance across the booth at my dining partner. “Nah, got things to do today.”
“What? What things? You work too much, Royce.” My baby brother begins to lecture me.
“Not work.”
He pauses. “What’s her name?”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to lie to him, but that feels wrong. Sawyer should never be the dirty little secret. “Sawyer,” I admit.
“Damn it, Royce. You said you weren’t working.”
“I’m not. I’m having breakfast.”
“Breakfast before the office does not qualify as not working.”
“I’m not going to the office.”
“Are you feeling all right?” he asks.
I can’t stop the laughter from escaping. “Never better.” That’s another truth that my dear brother will think is a lie. He’s not used to seeing me or hearing me this happy. Not since before the incident with Jennifer, my ex-wife.
“Where are you?” he asks again. From the sound of his voice, he’s worried he might need to come and get me. I think my baby brother thinks I’ve lost my mind.
“I’m at Mabel’s diner.”
“Who are you with? Stay where you are, I’m on my way.”
“Marshall.”
“Royce, I mean it. Stay put.”
I’m laughing so hard, I can hardly speak. “M-Marshall,” I try again.
“What the hell is going on with you?” he asks, perplexed.
More laughter, and I can’t seem to stop. I’m sucking in air as my laughter consumes me. “I-I’m f-fine.”
Sawyer, who is smiling, scoots her glass of water across the table, and I take a long drink, trying to calm down. “I’m fine,” I say now that I’m more composed. “You don’t need to come and get me,” I say, wiping the tears from my eyes.
“So, you’re at the diner, and you’re fine?” he asks slowly, for verification.
“Yes.”
“Are you alone?”
“No.” I wink at Sawyer. “Sawyer is with me.”
“Are you working?”
“No, we’re not working. We haven’t been working, and we have no plans to work today.” Although I normally work on Saturdays, I’d much rather try to think of ways to get her to spend the day with me.
“Let me talk to her.” By the tone of his voice, he’s not the least bit convinced that Sawyer is here with me.
I shrug and hand the phone to her. “Marshall wants to talk to you.”
“Me?” she asks. I nod, and she takes the phone from my outstretched hand. “Hello.” She’s quiet while she listens. “Yes. I’m at Mabel’s with Royce having breakfast.” She’s quiet again. “No. W-We’re not working.” Her voice is soft, almost fearful.
I know what’s coming. I know that my brothers and Jase are never going to let me live this down, but the past two weeks, I’ve been driving myself insane. I want her, but I can’t have her. She’s all I think about, but I can’t have her. Despite what I said, there are no rules against me pursuing her. However, it would be awkward, and I would need to find a new assistant if it doesn’t work out. Sitting here with her, watching as she talks to my brother, convincing him I haven’t lost my mind, I don’t care anymore.
I want to get to know her.
Who am I kidding? I want her. But I won’t go there, not until I know that this, whatever it is, can work between the two of us. That means that my brothers, Jase, Gail, my family, they’re all going to find out, and I’m okay with that too.