“Here’s your check. Come again.”

It was another busy night shift at Mae's. Sally was working alone, with Mae as backup. It used to be a shift she shared with Kaylie, but she was in school full time now.

Sally didn't mind the extra work though. It was good to be busy. It gave her less time for worries. And regrets. God knows she had enough of those. She regretting meeting Carl, dating him, almost marrying him. She regretted letting him use her as a punching bag.

But at the moment, she mostly regretted pushing Donnie away.

A crash sounded and a milkshake hit the floor. A kid started crying and she smiled and brought them a fresh glass. The tired mother smiled gratefully and she told them not to worry.

Sally was on her hands and knees wiping up the mess when she saw them.

Big black motorcycle boots.

She looked up slowly, her eyes following those familiar long legs up to his belt buckle, over his tight t-shirt that hugged all those bulging muscles, to that way too handsome face.

Donnie was at Mae's.

And he was smiling at her.

Her heart did a crazy little flip flop.

So she hadn't scared him off after all… Her first emotion was relief, followed by a nervous energy that set her blood zinging.

She gave him a tentative smile and went back to picking up the broken pieces of glass and foamy ice creamy goodness. She hurried behind the counter and washed her hands, trying to buy time to think, to calm down, to erase the bright pink that was suddenly tinting her cheeks.

He was sitting at the counter pretending to look at a menu when she turned around. He was definitely not looking at the menu though. He was looking at her.

He gave her a lopsided grin when she caught him staring.

"Hi Sally."

Her mouth was dry as she walked over to him.

"Hi Donnie. So, um, what can I get you?"

Oh God, she sounded like a stupid teenager! What was happening to her? It's like her brain shut off when he was around. Or at least, her IQ dropped a few points.

More than a few.

He was smiling at her like she was a genius though. Huh. Maybe he was feeling the same way she was.

"What's good? Other than you, I mean."

She opened her mouth to speak but no words came out.

Was he flirting with her? He was. He definitely was. Duh, Sally. The trouble was, she'd forgotten how to flirt back.

"Today’s special is a reuben sandwich."

He made a face.

"Too messy. Besides, I don't want bad breath. Do you have any soup?"

She nodded slowly. He didn't want bad breath. That meant he wanted to kiss her, right? That must be what he meant.

"Chicken noodle or lentil."

He smiled as if he were genuinely excited.

"I love chicken noodle!"

She almost rolled her eyes at how ridiculous he was being. She ladled out some soup and busied herself with the other customers while he ate it. She snuck a few glances at him and had to stifle a smile.

Donnie was eating his soup verrrry slowly.

She almost laughed. He was about as subtle as a mack truck. The diner was starting to empty out when he was finally done. She came over to take his bowl.

"Can I get you anything else, Donnie?"

He pulled out the menu again and started looking at it with exaggerated interest. This time she did laugh. He frowned at her, pretending to be considering all his options.

"Yes. I will have…"

He slammed the menu shut.

"More soup."

She shook her head and took his bowl away, replacing it with a fresh bowl of soup. This time she gave him extra crackers. His eyes twinkled as he accepted them from her.

The man was ridiculous!

He was adorable.

She started cleaning up the diner since there were only a few customers left by now. Mae had left after the dinner crowd thinned out, as usual. She liked to be there to tuck her grandkids in whenever possible.

There was only a half hour left until closing. Sally checked the salt and pepper and sugar shakers, and pulled any ketchup bottles that were running low. Normally she set up at a booth and refilled everything but this time she brought them to the counter.

It felt like a bold move considering how jumpy he was making her.

But this time it was jumpy in a good way.

Every time she glanced up from restocking the table condiments he was eating his soup. No, he was savoring it. But each time she bent her head again, she felt his eyes on her. In fact, she could actually feel heat where his gaze touched her skin. Her neck… her ear… her cheek...

Her heart was going fast by the time she finished and started carrying everything back to the tables.

Donnie leapt up to help her.

"I can do that."

"Does that mean you are actually finished with your soup?"

"Well, there are at least three or four bites left…"

She was giggling as they carried the bottles and shakers to the tables together. She was nearly ready to close up. There was just one thing. His bowl.

She walked over to the front and flipped the 'open' sign to 'closed.' Charlie poked his head out of the back and hollered.

"You about ready to go, girl?"

She took a deep breath. She could ask Charlie to wait until Donnie left. But she didn't want to.

She knew she was safe with him. It would be okay. She repeated it to herself a few times.

Everything was okay.

"No, that's okay Charlie, you go home."

The door jingled as Charlie let himself out. She sighed and reached for the broom. She swept up quickly and then came back to the register to close it out. Donnie was staring at her with a serious expression on his face, his spoon still in his hand. He set it down and pushed the bowl away.

"I didn't mean to keep you late."

"It's okay. I'm almost done."

She reached for his bowl and he grabbed her hand.

"Sally-"

She froze, staring at his hand where it clasped hers. His hand was so big. He could kill her with that hand. He could do it without even trying.

She raised her eyes to his, half expecting to see anger, or lust. But his clear blue eyes were earnest and kind.

She blinked. No one had looked at her that way in a long time. It was like he was really seeing her. Seeing the real her, and liking what he saw.

But that was how they got you, she reminded herself. Carl had started out sweet too. So full of compliments and flattery. Always opening doors. Always helping her with her coat and guitar.

She looked away and the spell was broken. She pulled her hand loose and he let her go. Poor Donnie probably thought she was a freak.

She took his bowl and spoon and disappeared into the kitchen. She stayed there for a few minutes, until the tears that were hovering behind her eyes finally retreated.

When she came outside he was gone, and a twenty dollar bill sat on the counter. That was quite a tip for two bowls of soup. She touched the bill, staring at it.

He was being a gentleman she knew. He wasn't full of empty flattery. Maybe he really was different. Pretty soon he'd give up and go away. That was better for everyone right?

"Stupid. Why am I so stupid?"