Page 10 of Meet Cute Reboot
The door whooshed open and sent the receipt flapping in the rush of air. A young mom with a baby came through, her husband following closely behind. They were impeccably dressed, the mom in a black dress, and the baby in a three-piece suit. Coming or going from a funeral, I guessed.
“Take it,” Luke said. “I had a good quarter, and you did a great job.” He stuffed his hands further into his pockets and leaned against the wood paneling.
“Writing down orders and carrying plates doesn’t warrant a fifty-dollar tip.” I presented the receipt to him again. He didn’t take it.
His buddy walked up and the two moved to leave.
“Maybe I could take you out on a date instead,” he said, smiling.
I glanced over my shoulder at the drinks I’d set down. The elderly women at table twenty-one were waiting. I didn’t wantto ruin my reasonable tip from them by standing there yapping my jaws at a handsome stranger. Part of me enjoyed the tingling I felt every time our eyes locked, but I had waitressing duties to attend to.
“Fix it,” I said fluttering the receipt in the space between us.
He pinched a corner of his mouth and flashed his palm at me. “Do you have a pen?”
I grabbed one from my apron and handed it over. He turned to the wall, scratched out his tip, entered a new one, and did the math.
“There. Eighteen percent,” he said when he handed it back to me. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Cassie. I may be back. Fair warning.”
Luke gave me a final smile and a nod before turning to leave.
“Wait,” I said.
He paused and looked at me expectantly.
“I’m free tonight.”
And that’s how our two-year romance started, innocuously with no indication of the flaming ball of cow dung it would become the moment I saw the text from the other woman. Not a moment I care to rehash.
Since so much time has passed, Imightbe able to forgive his cheating. He did apologize for it at Wetlands on Friday, and he seemed sincere.Seemed. I spent two years thinking he actually loved me, so I might be easily fooled. Nevertheless, I’ll consider allowing the hurt to flow under the bridge, bitter water slowly dissipating into fresh water on its way out to the sea.
This latest affront, though? I’m not ready to forgive him for it. He tried towreckmy launch. He wasn’t “the one.” Never was. Never will be.
As Pastor Ellis wraps up his sermon, I realize I missed the entire second half. He heads into the Invitation. We’ll be out of this stuffy sanctuary soon.
The choir singsCome Thou Fount of Every Blessing. No one approaches the altar today, so Pastor Ellis joins us to enjoy the choir’s last song,Blessed Assurance. The congregation joins in, many in full voice.
I take after my dad. He couldn’t carry a tune. Neither can I, so I keep my mouth shut and smile. No one objects. They’ve heard me sing.
After a final prayer, Ellis sends us off to be light and salt to the world during the upcoming week. I help Granny out of the pew, and then I spot my ex-husband, Michael, by the exit. He smiles at me and waves.
He’s been doing this lately, hovering and then pouncing. I can’t detour to a different exit while I’m helping Granny walk. She has limited energy.
“Can you help Granny?” I ask my mom. “Michael is hovering again.”
“Why can’t he go to a different church?” Mom says.
“His family has gone here for generations. Same as ours.”
“Leaving would be the gentlemanly thing to do.”
“He offered, but I told him he could stay.”
“Give me Granny,” Mom says when we reach the aisle.
I make sure Mom has a good hold under Granny’s arm before I let go, and then I step aside to let them cross in front of me.
“I’ll see you at home,” I say to Nana as she passes.