Ray arrived with two well-worn plastic menus. “Here you go, folks. Just give me a wave when you're ready.”
Peter passed one of the menus to Kate. He noticed her expensive running watch. Her stylish sweater, leggings, and riding boots made her look like she belonged in a downtown Chicago Starbucks instead of an Iowa diner. “Sounds like you're doing well.”
She shrugged. “Well enough, I guess.” Now she was studying the ice in her
glass as she stirred it.
Don't let it get awkward, don't let it get awkward…
“Do you enjoy your job?”
“I do. And you?”
“Yes.” Didn't he? “It's the new high school, now. Out on the edge of town.
Where the old drive-in used to be?”
She nodded. “Oh, yeah. Where all the cool kids used to hang out? I
remember. Last time I was there was probably grade school.”
He nodded. “Me, too. We probably spent more time there jumping our bikes
over the humps between the rows than watching movies.” He paused. How much
did she want to remember? “I still remember watching Independence Day there on the hood of your mom's Buick.”
Kate wrinkled her nose. “Was that the one where the creepy alien tentacle
thing squishes the guy against the window and makes him talk?”
“Oh, sorry. Yeah, I forgot how much you hated that scene.” That was when
she'd grabbed his arm, and he'd suddenly felt all grown-up, like a man. A girl grabbed my arm for protection! The thought made his stomach twirl a little, even now.
“Well, it has been a long time.” She suddenly sat up straight. “I won't be in
town long. I'm here to bid on a branding makeover for Nitrovex. You know, brochures, marketing materials, logo updates, website makeover, the whole deal.
I have a meeting out at the headquarters tomorrow.”
Today and tomorrow? That was all? “Wow, that's awesome, Kate.
Hometown girl made good.”
She smiled, but it was more of a grimace. “Something like that, I guess.” She
went back to studying her menu. “Wow, has this menu changed at all?”
“Doubt it.”
“I still remember this line art drawing of the pig in the chef's hat.” She pointed at the menu, smiling to herself. “I called him Porky.”
“Yeah, I'm not sure why he even brings them over anymore. I've pretty much
got the whole thing memorized.”
She closed her menu. “To be honest, I'm not really hungry. How about I just
get coffee?”
“Oh.” Oh, as in, Oh, you'd really rather be on Mars than here with me. That oh. “Sure.” He motioned at Ray. “Ray? Two coffees.”
Ray arrived in a few seconds with a pair of green-rimmed mugs and a coffee
pot. “Sure you don't want a tenderloin? Burger? Special is roast beef sandwich.”
“No thanks. We're good.” Peter said.
After Ray poured, then left, Kate took a sip, still silent.
“So, you're…” He glanced at her ring finger. “You're here for only a couple
days?”
She nodded. “I've got my first meeting with Mr. Wells tomorrow.”
“Which one? John Wells or his jet-setting grandson?”
