American Honey

“Something like that,” I flirted back.

We stood there, an awkward silence between us. I was about to ask her more about herself when a short brunette came over breathless. “Kara! I’ve been looking all over for you. I need to talk to you.” She grabbed her hand and pulled her away from me. She turned her head and gave me a sheepish smile and a wave but I was disappointed my time with her was cut short.

Chase came over, his hand curled into a fist, ready for a fist bump. I reached out and gave him one, not sure why. A huge grin was plastered across his face. “Dude, I saw you dancing with Kara. Nice work!”

I shrugged, but I couldn’t hide the smile on my face. “It was nothing.”

“Nothing? She was totally grinding on you!”

“She’s a little drunk,” I dismissed him, not wanting to get my hopes up.

He shook his head. “You gotta get on that, man. She’s fucking hot and only here for the summer. That’s perfect, especially for you.”

He was right. He knew I didn’t do long term relationships and Kara might be perfect for a little fun this summer.

“Maybe. Next time I go to the diner I will have to make sure to talk to her. Maybe I’ll ask her out.”

“You have to. If you don’t, I will.”

I felt a jab of jealousy. “I will,” I replied quickly. There was no way I was going to pass up a chance at Kara to let him have a try. “I’ll make a special trip to the diner.”

I found her in the crowd and our eyes met. She smiled at me warmly before going back to her conversation with her friend. Yes, I definitely was going to have to go to the diner tomorrow to talk to her. There wasn’t much to do around here, but maybe she wouldn’t mind going for a drive somewhere or over to Bagley Rapids for a walk. I would figure something out.

Maybe I should ask Matt to play her song again.

Chapter Three ~ Kara

“Girl In Your Truck Song”

“What was up with you and JT last night?” Brittany asked me before taking a sip of her coffee. “Remind me to never drink beer again,” she mumbled and rubbed her temples with her fingers. We both had too much to drink but she definitely had more than me. I was bummed I never made it back over to talk to JT because I was chasing after her drunk ass all night and preventing her from going home with some douche bag.

I rolled my eyes at her comment. “My ass you won’t. You’re probably already planning tonight.”

She giggled and set her mug down. “I guess Matt is getting some people together on his boat. He invited us. JT’s going to be there.” She grinned and wiggled her eyebrows suggestively at me. She put her elbows on the counter and leaned forward. “Speaking of JT, tell me what happened with him.”

After the party last night, another girl who was sober drove Brittany and me home. I opted to go back to my grandparents’ though since I had to get up early for work. We didn’t get a chance to gossip about the night and what had happened.

“We danced,” I said nonchalantly. “And talked some. That’s all.” I grabbed a towel and started rubbing the counter even though it was already clean. I had to do something to calm my nerves. Even though JT and I didn’t spend a lot of time together, I got a vibe from him that he was interested. At least I thought so. I was a little bit tipsy though, and he could have been too. Or maybe he was just a friendly guy. Whatever the case may be, I couldn’t wait to see him again. Every time the bell on the door chimed when someone opened it, I couldn’t help but look at who came in. The lunch rush was going to start in a little bit and I was hoping he would show up.

“I heard you were dancing pretty close,” she said in a sing-songy voice.

I didn’t say anything but I could feel my face get warm. I remembered the way his hands felt on my hips, holding me against him. His breath had been hot on my neck and his lips had been dangerously close to kissing the sensitive skin there. If the song had lasted a minute or two longer, he probably would have kissed me.

A couple of groups came in for lunch, saving me from Brittany’s grilling. “Listen, I have to get back to work. I’ll call you when I’m done.” I grabbed my pen and paper and walked out from behind the counter to wait on the new customers.

It seemed like the place was packed in minutes; I didn’t even have a chance to think about JT. I brought a table their lunch and rushed over to the next one to take their order.

“Sorry for the wait. Can I take your order?” I asked, not even taking the time to look up.

“I was wondering if I could get another dance,” a deep voice said and I dropped my pencil. I stood there frozen, and looked up slowly. Sitting at the table was JT and what looked like an older version of him.

He bent down and got my pencil, handing it to me with a lazy smile. His brown eyes were twinkling in the summer sun coming through the window. “Here’s your pencil.”

“Thanks,” I finally managed to utter. Oh my god, he must think I’m such an idiot standing there looking at him and not saying a word.

“Any time,” he winked at me. He nodded across the table. “This is my dad, John. Dad, this is Kara. Her grandparents own this diner.”

He reached to shake my hand, his smile as dazzling as JT’s and it was easy to see where he got his good looks. “Nice to meet you, Kara.”