“Remember to get Mia her cheese,” she called out.
“Of course,” he promised. “I like being on her good side.”
She chuckled and headed out the door into the spring afternoon. He watched for a moment as she went to her old beat-up truck and started the engine. He could see her smiling as she drove away.
He sat back down in the booth, feeling like he'd just gotten a second chance at life. It was time to win her heart like he should have done the first time.
Chapter 8
Laura
“Are you ever going to park or are you just going to drive forever?” Ivy asked, watching as Laura drove past the restaurant one more time. She was making sure that Ethan and his bodyguard were definitely gone. She did not want to run into them on accident. She wasn't sure she could handle another dose of Ethan's charm without succumbing to him entirely.
“I'm parking now,” Laura replied, pulling into the restaurant parking lot. The only cars were Elena's and a couple of sedans that didn't look nice enough to be rentals. She was safe.
Laura helped Dallas out of his booster seat while Ivy ran on ahead. She could already smell the hamburgers and french fries and her mouth watered. Sandy's was a favorite dinner spot, especially when Elena was working. Laura tried not to have the kids eat out too often, but it was so much easier than trying to cook for all three of them after a busy day at work. Today, however, Laura had a different reason for wanting to eat at Sandy's.
She wanted to talk to Elena about Ethan.
Elena looked up from the bar as the two kids ran inside leaving Laura in the dust. Elena's smile widened as she saw who they were.
“How are my two favorite customers?” Elena asked the two kids, coming around the bar to greet them. Ivy gave her a big hug that Elena happily returned.
“I'm doing well. How are you, Ms. Elena?” Dallas asked, standing up straight with his hands behind his back.
“I am doing well, thank you,” Elena replied. She knelt down, so she was on the same level as the small boy. “Have you been working on your manners?”
Dallas nodded. “I want pizza, please.”
Elena laughed and gave him a hug. “You got it, kiddo,” she promised before standing up. She motioned to the far end of the room. “Go on over to your special table, guys. I'm just getting off my shift. Can I join you?”
“Of course,” Ivy shouted, half way to the table already. Dallas was hot on her heels, giggling as he ran after his older sister. Elena wasn't too far behind them with menus and crayons.
“Okay, here's your stuff,” she said, giving each child a box and a paper kids' menu. “Will you draw me something while I talk to your sister?”
The two kids nodded, happily pouring the crayons on the table and starting to work on the cute little puzzles and coloring designs. Elena ruffled Dallas' hair before heading back to the front of the restaurant where Laura was.
“So, what's the story with the cute guy today?” Elena asked, giving her friend a hug. “And that kiss...”
Elena fanned herself with her hand and gave a low whistle.
“Shh,” Laura admonished, glancing over at the table. They hadn't even looked up, but Laura didn't want them hearing that she was kissing people.
“So, what's the story?” Elena asked. “Come with me and put in the order.”
She tipped her head to the side of the bar where a touch screen was set up to take orders. Both kids were too engrossed in the coloring even to notice they hadn't joined them yet. Elena swiped her badge and started putting in everyone's usual order.
“So, who was he?” Elena asked, her eyes on the touch screen but still wanting to know what was going on.
“Do you remember the guy from the Christmas party that I told you about?” Laura asked.
Elena paused and looked up. “You didn't go to a Christmas party this year... Oh, you mean last years' party?”
Laura nodded, and Elena's eyes went wide.
“Wait, that's museum sex guy? That's 'best sex of my life' guy?” Elena stopped putting in the order and put her hands on Laura's shoulders. “What was he doing here?!”
“Yes, that was him,” Laura replied. She glanced over at the kids who still weren't paying any attention to anything but their crayons. “And keep it down. I don't want Ivy repeating this stuff to her grandmother.”