Page 26 of When In Doubt

“I figured.”

“What about you?” I ask. “How long have you lived here?”

“It’ll be six years in August. I’m from Denver originally.”

“Oh, cool. I’m actually headed to Denver the week after next.”

“What for?”

“I’m running a stand at a yarn fair.”

“That sounds fun.”

“Yeah.” I nod awkwardly. I’m not so good at small talk, but Becca’s so warm that it feels like it’s going well. I hope. “What made you want to come down here?”

“I’ve always wanted my own place. I went to culinary school in the city and worked in a few different restaurants, but that whole scene wasn’t really me, you know?”

“I get that.”

“The diner is perfect. I like that it’s more casual. I have my regulars, I can do things my own way.”

“It’s so great there.” I smile and her eyes glow with delight.

“Thank you,” she says sincerely. “How have you found opening your place?”

I’m about to reply when something catches my eye from behind Becca’s head.

It’s strange how easily I recognize the set of his shoulders, the particular way he holds himself as he helps a little boy into a pair of fireproof pants. The kid squeals with laughter as he finds out how heavy they are and I can feel my cheeks twitching, my smile creeping up to mirror Oscar’s.

Becca chuckles. “What’s that face for?”

My smile drops. “Nothing.”

She takes a peek, catching Oscar’s back as he heads inside. “Ahh,” she says, smirking. “So, what’s going on there?”

“Nothing,” I splutter.

“You sure?”

“We’re just friends. I mean, kind of. We hardly know each other.” Though he seems to know a lot about me. I don’t know how it’s possible that I don’t remember him, especially when he’s made such a strong impression now.

“If you say so.” She takes a slow bite of her funnel cake, her eyes never leaving mine.

“He’s nice. He brought me a flyer the other day.” I motion toward the large-scale ones tacked onto the sides of wheelbarrows and wooden A-frames.

She finishes her mouthful, her brow furrowed in thought. “Isn’t he too busy for that kinda thing?”

“How do you mean?”

She wipes her hand on a paper napkin and tosses it into the garbage bin next to the table. “He didn’t come into the diner.”

I frown, staring down at the dregs of my funnel cake.

My appetite’s gone all of a sudden. After everything with Aaron, the thought of a man being interested in me in any capacity raises my hackles. I’d like to think I wouldn’t fall prey to a situation like that again, but how can I be sure?

How can I ever trust my own judgment again?

Chapter Ten