I arrive at Edna’s Diner a little earlier than I expected with the falling snow. I’ve never been to this place before, but I’ve driven past it on my way home every day from the shop. After the short drive through about a dozen stop signs, I’m pretty sure I could have walked here in about the same amount of time. It might be my new hangout this summer when it’s nice enough out to actually walk places.
“Hi,” Nolan says, startling me as he slides into the booth across from me. “What do you think?” He holds out his hands to encompass the whole of the diner.
“I really like the atmosphere,” I tell him honestly, taking in the homey décor to make the place look like a modernized log cabin, complete with fireplace and bookcase filled with books and games. It looks to me more like what you’d expect in a coffee shop than a diner. “I was just thinking how I might want to walk to this place in the summer.”
“It is close to your place,” he acknowledges. “I thought you might like it. I come here sometimes when I just need to get out of the house. Those chairs over there are pretty comfortable.” He points to a pair of armchairs facing the fireplace.
“I like it,” I tell him with a grin. “So, what’s good here?” I ask as I pick up my menu.
“They have pretty good burgers here, but their breakfast food is the big draw.” Nolan leans over my menu and points to the pictures of French toast and omelets, the delicious scent of his cologne, shampoo or something wafting over me.
“I do love me some French toast,” I tell him with a wink while the butterflies in my stomach flutter around doing backflips and loop-the-loops.
“Hey there, I’m Silas. I’ll be waiting on you today,” an attractive guy in jeans and a t-shirt with an apron tied around his waist announces when he approaches the table.
“Hey man,” Nolan greets Silas with a handshake and a huge grin before he turns to me. “Don’t let him fool you, Silas is actually the owner.”
“I wear many hats,” Silas says with a bow. “Tonight we’re a little short staffed, so I’ll be brushing up on my serving skills.”
“Wow, this place is great,” I tell him, glancing around and nodding. “But, Edna’s?”
“Yeah, well, it sounded better than Silas’,” he admits with a shrug.
Nolan shakes his head. “You can tell her.”
“Tell me what?” I ask, my gaze ping-ponging between the two of them.
“Why it’s really called Edna’s,” Nolan prods.
“It was my nanna’s dream to open her own diner. She never got to, so I named mine after her.” Silas shrugs and gives us a sad smile.
“That’s so sweet,” I croon, the thought now lodged into my brain that maybe we should rename the garage after Dad.
“I didn’t catch your name,” Silas says, holding out his hand.
“Rylie.” I reach my hand out to shake it his.
Instead, he draws my hand up to his lips and kisses the back of my knuckles while his gaze turns smoldering and he looks me over. “It’s really nice to meet you, Rylie.”
“Does that ever actually work?” I ask before I burst out laughing.
“On occasion,” Silas says with a grin, releasing my fingers and straightening.
“Are you done?” Nolan asks, rolling his eyes.
“Yep.” Silas grins at Nolan. “It was worth a try.”
“So how do you guys know each other?” I ask, propping my elbows on the table and cradling my face in my hands, awaiting what I assume will be a good story.
“Silas went to school with Wade and me. He wasn’t around much, so I don’t think you ever met him then,” Nolan explains.
“Wait. You’re Wade’s sister?” Silas asks incredulously, giving me another glance-over.
“The one and only.” I flash him my most charming smile.
Silas’ gaze swings over to Nolan. “Are you guys dating?” His tone is incredulous and accusatory at the same time.
“We are on a date,” Nolan confirms. “At least we would be if someone would take our damn order and leave us alone.”
“Does Wade know?” Silas asks with a snicker.
“So, I don’t know if you know this or not,” I start, drawing both men’s gazes to me. “But my brothers don’t own me. Also, I have a brain of my own and can make my own decisions.” I give them a cheerleader smile and bat my eyelashes at them like I’m some brainless twit.
“That’s a ‘no’,” Silas scoffs.
“Are you going to take our order or are we going somewhere else?” Nolan’s tone displays his irritation.
“Your funeral,” Silas mumbles before pulling a little notepad and pen from the pocket of his apron. “What can I get you?”
Nolan orders a cheeseburger while I order the French toast. I could eat breakfast food any time of the day.
“I’ll get your order in to the kitchen,” Silas informs us before rushing to the kitchen.
“What’s all that about?” I query Nolan.
He shrugs. “Wade once told us if we ever tried to go after you, he’d kill us.”
“Oh, really?” I can’t help but roll my eyes at the overprotective nature of my brother. I wonder if Jaron ever proclaimed anything similar to his friends.
“Yup, but clearly I’m not scared of him.” Nolan grins at me from across the table.
“Obviously.” I flash him a smile.
***
More often than not throughout our evening at Edna’s, Nolan seems to be off in a world of his own. He’s completely distracted – and it’s not by me. I hope it wasn’t the talk about Wade and his threats to kill anyone who asked me out that’s got Nolan distracted.
“You want to get out of here?” I ask, after we finish our meal and I still haven’t been able to hold his attention. “You look like you’re a million miles away.”
“Sorry.” He shakes his head, giving me an apologetic smile. “I’ve just got some shit going on.”
“Let’s just go, we can go to my place and watch a movie or something. That should take your mind off things.”
I’m down for the movie, but I’m really hoping Nolan’s up for the ‘or something’ I’ve got planned. I didn’t buy a new bra and panty set for nothing.
“That sounds great,” he replies, relief written all over his face.
In the parking lot, we go our separate ways. “See you there,” I call out to Nolan as I climb into my car.
He waves back and climbs in his car.
It takes a short five minute drive to get back to my house. I will definitely be walking to the diner once warmer weather hits. Hell, that French toast might have me hiking up to Edna’s on sub-zero days.
“You want a beer?” I offer as we shuck our coats in the mud room after I’ve unlocked the door and pushed inside the house.
“Yeah, sure,” Nolan agrees, wandering from the kitchen into the living room.
Pulling beers from the fridge, I pop off the tops before searching the main level for my guest.
“Everything looks the same,” he comments, taking in the rooms. “Are you living here by yourself?”
“Yep. But it’s been feeling a little empty lately. I think I might rent out one of the bedrooms. You know anyone looking for a place to stay?”
I’ve already wracked my brain for a list of female friends and come up woefully lacking. I’ve got three, and they all already have places to live.
“I might.”
“Don’t you dare say Wade, because I will literally kill him if he lives here with me.” I level Nolan with a death glare.
He barks out a laugh and shakes his head. “Not Wade, I was thinking about me, actually.”
My brow furrows as I attempt to assess if he’s serious or not. “Is there more going on with Wade than you’ve told me?” I press.
Shaking his head, Nolan takes a sip of beer. “There’s not anything you should worry about. He’s not doing anything illegal. He’s just an asshole.”
“And you don’t want to talk about it.”
“Bingo.” He takes another drink from the bottle in his hand. “Is the rest of the house decorated exactly the same? You still have that hot-pink comforter on your bed?” he teases.
“How about you come upstairs and find out,” I offer, giving him a wink.
“Yeah?”
“I have to see if you live up to all those teenage fantasies I had about you.” I hope like hell my grin doesn’t betray my nervousness, because I am fucking anxious.
I can’t wait to show him my new lingerie.