Page 33 of Diners, Damsels & Wolves

“You’re still paying off the car?” Jeff asked incredulously.

“I thought you just had the brake pads replaced?” Eugene asked.

“No, there were some transmission issues too. I had to practically sign a contract in my own blood to get Andy’s to let me drive off without fully paying first.”

“You know,” Jeff said, “we do tune-ups and all the work on our bikes ourselves. Next time something happens, bring your car to our place first and we’ll take a look. Andy’s isn’t exactly known for being honest.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Flipping the on switch, she waited for the coffee maker to gurgle to life. When it stayed silent, she slapped the side of it.

“One of these days that thing is gonna slap you back,” Adam said through the window.

“If it does, I’ll consider it a good day because that will mean it’s fully functional again.” Slapping it a second time steam gushed from the top. The scent of the hot, nutty liquid wafted out as it dripped through the mechanism into the pot below.

“Claire,” Sylvia said, “you got someone in your station.”

Turning to face the dining room, her stomach lurched, and an easy grin pulled across her face. Smoothing her uniform, she grabbed an empty mug and the pot of decaf.

“Afternoon.” She set the mug down in front of Thomas and filled it. He looked tired. She idly wondered if he was having to work late because of how much time he was spending at the diner, on what she presumed were his lunch breaks.

“Hello, Clarissa.” He smiled up at her, and her knees had a moment of weakness.

“Do you know what you want today? Another omelet?”

“No, I’m afraid I don’t have much time to stay today. There’s some family business that needs to be taken care of.”

“Oh.” Her face fell.

“I’d love to take a pie though. My sister’s been having cravings for blueberries.”

“Sure thing, I’ll go get that for you.”

Opening the revolving tower of pie, she pulled out a blueberry and set it in a paper bag. The sight of the revolving tower of baked goods gave her a new sense of pride now. However, she was having a hard time feeling smug about it at the moment.

She took the pie back to the table. Tom stood up and pulled out his wallet. “Will this be enough?” He handed her forty dollars.

“That’s way too much.”

“Keep the change, put it toward the fund for a new coffee maker.” He smirked.

“Ah, you noticed that, did you?”

“What, you going two rounds with an inanimate object? No, no, I didn’t see that at all.”

Taking the paper bag with the pie in it, he pulled out a medium-sized gift bag. “I’m sorry I can’t stay longer today. I brought this for you. I hope you accept it as a token of apology.”

Without waiting for her to open the bag, he left. Clarissa stood there, dumbfounded. What had just happened? Where did this man learn his manners from? No one paid double for baked goods and left presents for the waitstaff on the same day.

Muttering under her breath, she took the money, dirty coffee mug, and gift bag to the counter. Sylvia, Jeff, and Eugene were all staring at her.

“What?” she demanded.

“He brought you a present?” Sylvia gushed.

“Don’t get too excited, I don’t even know what it is.” After placing the cash in the till, she set the bag down.

“Well, how long are you going to make us wait?” Jeff asked.

With a heavy sigh, she opened the offending bag. Not wanting to pull anything out without checking first, she peered inside. Her mouth fell open.