A Cross-Country Christmas(10)

“You know, we should probably try to get to know each other a little,” he said.

“Why?” Her voice came from behind the giant laminated booklet.

“We’re going to be traveling together for a week. Well,” he added, “at least a week.”

She snapped the menu down. “What do you mean ‘at least’ a week?”

He shrugged. “Crazy things can happen on the road. Generously sized women in tepees could pop up anywhere, you know. I’m keeping all of our options open.”

She sighed heavily and retreated again behind the menu.

There was an awkward silence.

“Did Spencer ever tell you about the time we road tripped down to Florida for spring break?”

“No,” she said.

He grinned at the memory, “Yeah it was nuts, we ended up. . .”

He stopped, and felt his smile fade. On the trip he’d gotten so drunk one night that Spencer had to carry him home. Not worth reliving. “. . .getting, uh, lost, we were wandering around for hours. We got turned around more times than I can count.”

Lauren stared at him, her eyebrows pinched. “That’s a great story, Will.”

The waitress, a pretty blonde about Lauren’s age whose wigwam-shaped nametag said “Melinda”, stopped by their table. She gave Will a once-over, then smiled her approval. Her bright red lips matched her Santa hat. “Well, good morning, handsome. Haven’t seen you in here before.”

Will knew that Big Mom’s was off the beaten path, not on the more famous part of the route that traveled from Southern California to Chicago, so it was unlikely the staff was used to anything but locals. Thankfully the trip Will took as a kid didn’t stick to interstates and highways. His best memories always happened when he didn’t follow the map.

“Haven’t been here in a lot of years, Melinda.” He flashed her a smile.

She pressed her lips together and widened her eyes. “What brings you to my little neck of the woods?”

“We’re taking a road trip. Heading home for Christmas,” he said.

“Ahh, and where’s home?”

“Northern Illinois. A little town called Pleasant Valley.”

She giggled. “Sounds pleasant.”

Will laughed politely.

“And such a long drive!” She put a hand on Will’s shoulder. “I’ll be sure to send you off with a full belly. Everyone comes in for the pancakes,” she leaned in closer to him, almost whispering, “but I recommend the French toast.”

Will mimicked her tone. “Well, then, I’ll have to try the French toast.” He laughed, and she approved. “With coffee and a glass of orange juice.”

She smiled again.

Only then did he notice the death glare coming at him from across the table. Lauren sat, menu down, one brow quirked as if to make a point. Melinda hadn’t even acknowledged her.

“Oh! What did you want, Lauren?” he asked.

“Burger and fries,” she said, without looking at the waitress. “And a Coke.”

Melinda scribbled the order on her notepad. “Great, I’ll be right back with your drinks.” She winked at him and sashayed away, leaving him to face his biggest fan.

Lauren shook her head slowly.

“What?” Will asked.

“Such a cliché,” she said.

And unfortunately, he was pretty sure she had a point.





Chapter 5





Under different circumstances—namely the company—Lauren might’ve enjoyed her meal at this bizarre diner in the middle of nowhere. Christmas lights in the shape of cacti were strung up around the window that led to the kitchen, and there were actual socks hung from the counter in front of it, each with a name like “Ned,” “Charlene,” “Big Mom’s Momma,” Sharpie’d on the fronts of them. Make-shift stockings, of course. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” rung out on the speakers overhead, but a cover of it played by what sounded like a Mariachi band.

Lauren preferred this version to the original, and she had to admit, the burger was pretty darn good.

But the man-child sitting across from her—and the ridiculously flirty waitress—were enough to ruin the whole experience.

Melinda came back with the drinks and eventually their food. She brightened when Will, ever the flirt, ooh’d and ahh’d at his French toast.

“Melinda, you’re the best!” He brandished his fork.

She threw a smile at him, barely glanced at Lauren, then disappeared behind the counter.

Will seemed oblivious to the fact that Lauren was almost completely invisible to this woman. In fact, as predicted, he seemed to revel in the attention. Will was the kind of guy that couldn’t help but make himself known, at least to women. He relished in the fact that they were drawn to him.

As she ate, (good lord, her food was shockingly good) she watched Will. She couldn’t believe Spencer had suggested she might actually be friends with the guy. As if Will were capable of being ‘just friends’ with anyone of the opposite sex.

Though, let’s be honest, if there were a woman he could be strictly platonic with, it would most likely be me.

“What if you and I were a couple?” She asked after Melinda was out of earshot. Even suggesting it made her feel exposed.