Lex

I was sure I wasn’t falling in love, but I was definitely falling in something. Thoughts of Adam consumed me, and every memory my mind resurrected was enjoyable in one way or another.

“I’ll take the second special,” he said with a tooth revealing smile.

He looked like a Silicon Valley executive. Dressed in a gray suit that was undoubtedly custom-tailored – and expensive – he wore a slight beard and his hair was a perfect mess. He scooted his chair away from the table slightly and looked me up and down.

“The baked shrimp, scallops, and fish with the lobster sauce?” I asked, acting like I didn’t notice his eye-assault.

He shot me an apprehensive look. “Is it good?”

I smiled. “You know, I could say it’s lovely, then you’d order it, and you’d be wondering while you waited for it to arrive if you’d made the right decision. You’d also probably wonder if I’d even tried it, wouldn’t you?”

He flashed his teeth again. They were as perfect as his hair. “I don’t know,” he said. “Probably.”

“Well, I have tried it. And although I won’t tell you everything on the menu is my favorite, I’ll tell you that one is one of my top three. It’s delicious, it really is. And, the scallops are huge.”

“I’m convinced,” he said.

“Today, it comes with the green beans. Are you okay with that, or would you like to substitute?”

“Are they--”

“If you like fresh green beans, you’ll love them.”

“I’ll stick with the green beans.”

“Anything else?”

“This is going to sound awful, but you’re simply gorgeous,” he said.

I forced a smile, and hoped it looked genuine. “Awe. Thank you.”

“There is one more thing,” he said. His gaze shifted to my left hand, and then met mine.

My number?

I cocked my head to the side. “Yes?”

“Your number. I’d regret it if I didn’t at least ask. I’d love an opportunity to see you away from work.”

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I’m in a serious relationship.”

He smiled and nodded. “He’s a lucky man.”

“I don’t know about that,” I said. “But I’m a very lucky girl.”

He grinned a shallow grin and moved his chair closer to the table.

“I’ll bring some bread by. If you need more, just throw something at me to get my attention,” I said.

He chuckled and raised his butter knife. “I’ll do that.”

As I placed his order I thought of Adam, and what he might think if he knew the man asked me for my number. I decided he would think it was cute that it happened, and would appreciate my response. If the man asking had been disrespectful, I was sure his reaction would be otherwise.

For some reason, there was a line out the door and halfway around the building, which had never happened. I was appreciative of all the business, but for two of us to keep up with 15 tables each was twice as much as I was used to.

I scrambled to each of my tables, kept everyone feeling as important as I was able, and then took Silicon Valley his plate.

“Oh.” His eyes locked on the plate. “Wow. They are huge.”

I placed it in front of him. “There’s some extra lobster sauce on the side. Let me know if you need any more.”

He looked up. “I will.”

I glanced at his basket of bread. Although it was still over half-full, I asked nonetheless. “Are you okay on bread?”

“I am.”

I smiled. “Enjoy. And, feel free to throw the knife if you need anything.”

He smiled in return and reached for his napkin.

Being filled to capacity wasn’t terrible during lunch, because everyone seemed to come in at the same time. As a result, they finished their food at the same time, and left at roughly the same time.

After dropping off half of my customer’s bills, people began to filter out. Their tables were immediately bussed and filled with a new customer.

I scrambled to drop off menus, take drink orders, and then take food orders. After placing the orders for my newest customers, I glanced toward Silicon Valley.

He was wiping his mouth.

I printed his receipt and walked to his table.

“Well?”

“You were right,” he said. “It was marvelous.”

I glanced at his plate. The dish of lobster sauce I’d given him was empty, and his plate was spotless.

“I could drink that lobster sauce,” I said, although I knew never would. “Isn’t it good?”

He nodded toward his plate. “I used it all.”

“Ready for key lime pie?”

“I couldn’t take another bite if I were forced,” he said.

“Coffee?”

“No, thank you.”

“Is there anything I can get you?”

He shook his head. “I’m fine, thank you.”

“Thanks for not throwing the knife.” I placed his bill on the edge of the table. “Whenever you’re ready. Take your time.”

He checked his watch and then smiled. “Thank you.”

I smiled and turned away.

“There is one more thing,” he said.

I glanced over my shoulder. “Yes.”

“You are breathtaking. I just want you to know that. Treat your spouse well. If he’s worth the salt in his sweat, he’ll return the favor.”

I smiled. “Thank you. And, I will.”

The lunch rush continued for some time, and when I looked back at Silicon Valley’s table, he was gone.

I dropped off a drink order, and walked past his table to pick up his bill holder. Inside was a note written on the back of one of the receipts, and five $100 bills.

My jaw dropped. His bill was slightly less than $50.

I glanced over each shoulder, and then picked up the note. He’d written it in cursive, and the penmanship was perfect.

Once in a great while we encounter someone that has a particular presence about them that doesn’t allow us to dismiss them from memory any time soon. You’re one of those people.

Thank you for making my meal memorable.

Take your spouse out on me with a portion of this money. Without doubt, he recognizes your beauty no differently than I have.

Sorry if my honesty made you uncomfortable.

If your situation ever changes, or if you ever get in a legal jam, feel free to give me a ring.

Warm Regards,

Jay Parsons

239 336 4040

I looked around the restaurant.

He was nowhere to be found.

My heart swelled with pride. I realized he wasn’t anything but a man who was blatantly honest about what he felt.

In a sense, he was me.

A person with no filter.

I wondered what the legal jam part was about, but wasn’t about to call him and find out. I grinned and shoved the money, and the note, into my apron; knowing I’d cherish the note forever.

In an hour, the rush was over and Sandy and I were in the break room.

“That was insane,” Sandy said. “We’ve never been that busy. Did you see the line to get in?”

“I couldn’t help but see it. It was out the door, and in front of the window.”

“Good shift?” she asked.

Including the tip Silicon Valley left, I had made just shy of $1,100. “It was great, yeah.”

I picked up my phone and sent Adam a text, telling him about the tip, and that I wanted to take him to dinner.

At the end of the shift, he hadn’t replied.

I wasn’t concerned, he often didn’t reply when he was at work, and I expected he was immersed in his new project. The house in La Jolla was very important to him. He said it exposed him to an all new clientele, and the income from the jobs in that neighborhood would be four times what he was accustomed to.

“Want to go get a drink somewhere?” Sandy asked.

“I think Adam and I are going to go out to eat tonight, but I can go for a little bit. Until he texts me back, anyway,” I said.

She looked at me funny. “Adam?”

I laughed. “Cholo.”

She stared at me, her face washed in disbelief. “His name’s Adam?”

I sighed. “Yeah.”

“I like that.”

“Me, too.”

We went to the Crab Shack together, talked about work, and had a beer. And then, another. Before I knew it, three hours had passed, and it was after 7:00.

“I’m going to text you,” I said. “See if you get it.”

She grabbed her phone. “Okay.”

I sent her a smiley face. As soon as I pressed send, her phone pinged.

“Got it.”

“Send me one back,” I said.

My phone beeped. Hoping it was Adam, and not Sandy, I glanced at the screen. A poop with eyes emoji stared back at me.

I looked at her and sighed. “Nice.”

“Is everything okay?”

“I’m sure it’s fine,” I said. “He’s got a big job in La Jolla, and it’s pretty important. I’m sure he’s just busy.”

“You want to get something to eat?”

“No. I’ll just wait for him. He’ll show up sooner or later.”

That night, I went to bed at 2:00 a.m. When I did, I still hadn’t heard from Adam.

Not one word.

He promised he wouldn’t hurt me. Ever.

But, as I tried to fall asleep, my heart didn’t agree with him.