Fake Summer Wife

“Yeah, finally got that last supply order in,” I said, glancing around the diner.

It was quaint in all of the best ways. Plus, looking around at the vinyl booths, the checkered floor tiles, and the old-fashioned soda counter gave me a great excuse to actually check out the breathtaking waitress properly.

There was something in those soft blue eyes that softened my heart and stiffened the rest of me at the same time. Something that made me need to throw my arms around her and never let go. Even touching her hip to steady her had made me feel masculine in a way I’d never experienced before.

Either I was losing my mind, dehydrated from working outside all day, or I was falling for this beautiful girl already. Was that even possible?

“I found this place a couple of weeks ago,” Bob said. “Trust me, you’re going to love the burger.”

“They even have those sweet potato fries you like,” Taylor said.

As the server walked toward us, I noticed a slightly worried look. Then she seemed to transform her energy with a giant, sassy smile. “Great,” she said, with a hand on her hip. “Now I’m supposed to keep an eye on three of you?”

“Don’t worry,” Taylor said. “Vaughan is the boss, so he’s relatively well behaved.”

She was no longer the timid, off-balance girl from the doorway. It was like she had pulled a new personality on over her head like a comfortable sweater. I had to admit, I was intrigued with both versions.

Holding out my hand, I said, “Vaughan. The boss. And you are?”

Her beautiful lips pursed for a second, then she shook my hand. “Claudia. Fetcher of burgers, pourer of coffee, and wrangler of rowdy construction workers, apparently.”

Bob and Taylor laughed. I released her hand, but darted my fingertips forward to brush against her inner wrist. Her eyes sparkled as she smiled.

“Let’s get down to brass tacks,” she said, pulling a little notepad from her skirt. “You’re all having coffee, right?”

We nodded, then she continued. “Bob is having a double cheeseburger with fries, which comes with a small salad, and we’re going to fight back and forth until he eventually eats it because it’s just easier to do as I say and vegetables are good for you.”

She shot him a pointed look, making him grin. He nodded, handing her back the menu.

“Taylor, last time you had the chicken sandwich, so I’m guessing today you’re going to have the BLT with onion rings.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“Onions don’t count as a vegetable when they’re fried, so you’re getting a side salad as well and that’s final.”

His bottom lip drooped in a dramatic pout, but he nodded.

“New guy,” she said, tapping her pencil against the notepad. “You liked the smell of the burgers in the back hallway. But…” She looked me up and down carefully. The other guys were wearing slightly disheveled t-shirts, but I was in a black button down. Suddenly I was awfully glad I had scrubbed my face, combed my hair, and pulled on a fresh shirt before I left.

“You’re into the classics, but with a twist,” she said. “Double burger with sautéed onions, Dijon mustard, a tiny whiff of barbecue sauce...with sweet potato fries.” Her head cocked to the side. “Am I close?”

“Spot on.”

I handed back the menu, and she started to turn away, then took a step back and stared at me again. “And you really want a thick slab of marble cheese on that burger, but you were too polite to say that I missed it.”

A deep chuckle rumbled up from my belly. It came out much louder than I intended, and actually took hold of me, making me helpless for a solid ten seconds. “You’re absolutely right.”

Her ponytail whipped through the air as she spun away again, leaving me with my mouth hanging open.

“Oh shit,” Taylor whispered loudly. “Bob, I think we have a problem.”

“What’s that?”

“Boss man is smitten.”

“Yeah, I noticed.”

“Do you think we should warn her?” Taylor asked.