I woke early Saturday morning. I had to get to the diner early to start the early riser specials like I did every Saturday for the past four years.
I showered and changed into my white top and black skirt. I tied my hair back in a ponytail and applied a small bit of makeup. Then, I headed out.
"Britt!" Lou called.
I turned.
He was in the kitchen, making a pot of coffee. His brown hair hung in his eyes and his green eyes sparkled. How could he look that happy so early? "Want some?"
"No, I'll have some at work. Thanks, though."
He nodded and poured himself a hefty cup.
Ah, Lou. We'd been roommates since freshman year, which was fun. Over the years, we'd become best friends. It was always nice to have someone.
I went outside, feeling the breeze hit my face.
It had just rained the previous evening, so the ground was cool. It was late fall, which was a beautiful time in Virginia.
The leaves were changing colors and falling off the trees. The ground was coated in them, a rainbow mess. The leaves were slick from the fresh rain, but I managed to make it to my car without falling.
My car was old, a teal 1957 Chevrolet Belair with white accents, but it was beautiful. My dad got it for me when I graduated from college, so there was no way I was getting a new one. It had sentimental value, a thing I happened to be a sucker for.
I pulled out of the driveway and drove the four miles I had to drive to get to work.
When I got there, I got out and went into the diner.
It was crowded, as it was every Saturday morning. Truckers stopped there a lot, which always kept business booming.
I went behind the counter and slipped my red apron on as I clocked in.
"Britt, you're late!" my boss shouted.
"I know, I'm sorry, but I'm here now. Where do you want me?" I asked, tying my apron.
"Table two, then get the gentleman at the end of the bar."
I nodded and went to table two. I smiled at the man and woman, holding hands across the table. I could tell they were in love, happy to be alive. Lucky them.
"Hi. I'm Britt. What can I get you to drink?" I asked them.
"Two coffees," the man responded, not looking away from his girl.
"Are you ready to order?" I asked.
He ordered for them.
Then, I put that in with the cooks. I got their coffee to them and made my way to the end of the bar. When I got there, my breath caught.
A young gentleman sat there. He had dark brown hair and blue eyes. He wore a white button down shirt that had the first button undone, revealing a white undershirt and the chain of a silver necklace. He was typical, yet something about him took my breath away.
I cleared my throat and walked up to him. I smiled, "Hi. I'm Britt. What can I get you to drink?"
Without looking up, he spoke, "Coffee. Black. Thank you, ma'am." He had a deep voice, one that sent a chill down my spine.
I got him what he asked for. "Do you know what you want to eat?"
He pressed his menu to the table and looked up at me.
I noted he had just shaved, the aftershave hitting me like a brick wall, but, damn, did it smell amazing. Musky, almost, but somehow alluring.
"I've been looking at this menu for the past fifteen minutes and I still can't decide. What do you recommend?" he asked, his eyes stunning me to silence.
I knew I was blushing. I could feel the warmth heat my cheeks. My hands became sweaty and my heart leaped to my throat, denying me any way to respond.
Crap. He asked me a question.
"The eggs are okay, um, they're fresh, not powder, which is nice with a side of toast. Our biscuits and white gravy is also pretty good; we get a lot of compliments on it," I stuttered.
What the hell was wrong with me?
He nodded and smiled, "Both sound great... Which would you choose?"
"Probably the eggs. Protein is always the best way to go."
Jesus Christ. Really? Give the hot guy a health lesson? Really? What crazy train did you get off of this morning?
"Then, I guess I'll do that," he smiled.
"How do you want them cooked?" I asked.
"Raw."
I froze and looked up at him, stunned. My eyes widened
He looked so serious. Then, he broke out into a beaming smile and chuckled, "I'm kidding. You should've seen your face!"
I took a breath and smiled at him. I wasn't used to people being humorous so early in the morning. It rarely ever happened.
"Over easy," he smiled.
I wrote it down and smiled," Anything else I can get you?"
"No, ma'am," he smiled.
I nodded and walked off. I put his order in and took a breath. What the hell was that?
I took the couple their food and refilled their coffees. Then, I went back to the handsome gentleman that did all but make my heart stop. "More coffee?"
"Yes, please," he spoke, looking down at his phone.
I refilled his cup and got busy with other customers.
The place started to clear up, which was relieving.
I got the food for the gentleman and went over.
"Here you go," I smiled, putting his food down.
"Thank you," he smiled up at me.
"You're welcome," I smiled.
"Britt! Start wiping up the counters!" my boss shouted.
I looked at the gentleman. "If you need anything, just call."
He nodded.
I got to wiping the bar up. I disinfected it and cleaned, then I went around and did the empty tables.
Pretty soon, the only customer there was the gentleman at the bar. He was finished eating, so I took his plate.
"More coffee?" I asked.
"Yes, please."
I got him more and started restocking the sweetener containers. When I was finished with that, the man stood.
He put some cash on the counter and looked at me. He nodded and walked out.
I went over and cleaned up his area. Then, I clocked out and took my apron off. Quitting time.
"See you tomorrow!" my boss called.
"See you tomorrow!" I called back, then left the diner.
A man was looking at my car...the gentleman I just served in the diner. My breath caught as I approached.
He didn't look up as he smiled, "A '57 Chevrolet Belair?"
"Yes, sir."
He looked at me and smiled, "You don't strike me as the kind of girl to drive one of these. Shouldn't you have a 2015 Audi or something?"
"My dad got it for me when I graduated a few years ago, so I don't really want to get rid of it. I mean, it gets me from point A to point B just fine, so why get rid of it?"
"I like the way you think," he smiled. "So it runs nice?"
"Usually," I spoke with a dry throat.
The rain had stopped, so the trees and leaves looked brighter than usual. The skies were gray and puffy, carrying the threat of more rain coming soon.
"Britt!" a girl called.
I looked up.
Jane was walking towards the diner. She had the shift after me.
"Hey, Jane. Enjoying the weather?" I smiled.
She wrinkled her nose. "Yuck! I hate rain!"
I laughed as she went in the diner. I turned to the gentleman.
He opened my door for me.
I thanked him and got in.
He closed the door, winked, and walked to his black pickup truck. It didn't really surprise me that he drove one of those. He looked like he needed a tough car.
I pulled out and got on the interstate, heading back home.
It had been a long morning and I needed some rest...but I had a feeling that wouldn't be happening anytime soon, because the guy at the diner was still on my mind. It was as if he'd tattooed himself into my head. Not even the world's strongest rubbing alcohol was going to get that off my mind.