Page 34 of Weekend Temptation
EPILOGUE
Three months later
“If we’re going to do this, we need to do it right.”Derek’s face was all serious concentration as he looked at his phone.They’d spent more time apart than together over the last few months, and Abbie had missed him while he was working.Video calls, phone calls, and text messages just weren’t as satisfying as touching him.Still, exploring their relationship and their feelings had outweighed the cost – including the public aspect of his life.
“You know, if we weren’t talking about food, that could be taken in a very, very sexual way.”
“Then it’s a shame we’re talking about food.”
Abbie nudged him but laughed anyway.“We could go to my cousin’s diner.It’s not too far, and the breakfast food there is off the charts.”
“I thought we were looking for a late-night snack.It’s almost eleven.”
“Diners serve breakfast all day.Most of them do, anyway.It’s a thing.Plus, my cousin’s place is open until two in the morning.”
Derek put his arm around her shoulder.“Are you sure you want our first public appearance together as a couple to be at your cousin’s diner?”
She loved his consideration.“Yes, I’m sure.One of the ways I can handle my fear is if I control how and when I’m seen with you.The rest is noise, right?”
“Right.”He kissed her on the forehead.
“I want to take you there.And it could also be good for business, right?”She held her hands up like she was showcasing a headline, “‘Famous actor Derek Hartley loves the French toast at The Starfire Diner.’They’ll be so busy they won’t know what to do with themselves.”
“You wanna give them a heads-up we’re coming?”
She nodded.“Good idea.”Abbie sent off a long text to her cousin and added a request to sit in one of the back booths and for some of the tables nearby to be moved away.
Abbie motioned to his phone.“Look up the menu, but they’ll make anything you want.”
“Honestly, you made the French toast sound delicious just now.”
“You won’t regret it.Add some bacon on the side, or the corned beef hash.Mm, incredible.”
“Most people might think you’re crazy, you know, the way you talk about breakfast food.”Derek booped her nose.
“Good thing you’re not most people.”
“No, I am not.Let’s go eat.”
The diner had been in her family for years, and it felt like home.The ten-minute ride through her hometown of Starfire Lake flew by.Derek insisted he drive, but she won out with the argument that she knew the area and it would just be easier.
Her cousin, Dimitri, met them at the register, just inside the front door.“Welcome to the Starfire Diner.”Dimitri held out a hand, a huge smile on his face.“We’re honored to have you, Mr.Hartley.”
Derek shook Dimitri’s hand, matching her cousin’s smile.“Derek, please.”
“Derek, then.Right this way.We have a booth ready for you.”
Dimitri led the way, and Abbie followed the two of them around to the back of the diner.Derek waited for her to slide into the booth before sitting across from her.The door to the kitchen was just a few feet behind Derek, and Abbie could see the busboys and line cooks jockeying to see out the little round window.They were lucky they didn’t topple through the swinging door.
“Here are your menus, and Niko will be right over with some water and to get your drink order.Please, if there’s anything you need, just let me know.”
“We will, Dimi.”Abbie smiled up at her cousin, glad she’d told him they were coming.“Thanks, for everything.”She nodded at the rest of the room.
He’d cleared out the tables in the dining room, leaving only the booths against the opposite wall and the booth behind her.She made a mental note to leave a huge tip for Niko, if he was losing that many potential tables.
“Anything for you, yeah?”
“Tell the guys in the back they can come say hi if they want, before they break their necks at the door.”Abbie laughed.
