Fake Summer Boyfriend

Chapter 1

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Hayden

He was staring at me. I could feel it. My skin actually crawled from the thought of his eyes on me.

It was getting worse every day, and I knew that letting my mind spin out of control with worry wasn’t helpful, but I couldn’t stop myself.

Glancing around the diner, I refused to let my eyes drift anywhere near the window, for fear of seeing that dusty old black car.

I’d been reading up on techniques to calm anxiety. Engaging all of the senses apparently helped. Pressing my feet into the floor, I inhaled slowly, smelling the cup of decaf earl grey tea in front of me. I could hear the clink of the dishes through the kitchen pass-through, and Claudia joking with the cook.

Looking around at the other customers at Ray's Diner, it was almost the same group that was always here on a Wednesday night. The timeless blue and white decor was calming when I really needed it.

I came here Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, since those were the nights my friend Janice, who lived in the apartment across from mine, worked late. It was bad enough living alone. I couldn’t stand it when she wasn’t home either.

There was a slightly disheveled guy in the corner who was usually here, alternating between typing quickly and staring out the window. One of these days I wanted to get up the courage to ask him what he was writing.

Jerry, the older man sitting at the counter, read three newspapers every night, then did the cross words. He always turned to me if there were questions about France or Spain, since he’d seen me with my language homework and decided that I was the resident expert.

Claudia, the perky server with the dark ponytail that bounced against her back, was a student at Huntley as well. She was very sweet, and we often chatted a bit when she wasn't too busy. She was also focussed on finishing two last classes online before starting a new job in the fall.

I'd actually helped her proofread an essay last week, and was rewarded with a slice of apple pie.

The two middle-aged women that were here once a week were just picking up their things and leaving.

Then there was the guy two tables away, facing me. I’d seen him here now and then, but forced myself not to glance at him too often. Once I took the tiniest peek, it was nearly impossible to look away.

I’d never seen a more beautiful man. I almost wished he was my type. Not that I really knew what my type was. But he was just far too big. Burly. I was barely five foot three, and guessing from the way he almost had to duck to come in the door, he was around six foot three or more.

That didn’t necessarily mean that he was aggressive, but I just…he was a bit much.

Although he would give me a polite half smile and nod as we passed each other, he didn’t seem to speak very often.

There was something solid about him that I found comforting, though. He sprang to his feet to get the door any time a person was carrying packages. I once saw him jump up and help Claudia clear the tables when a sudden group of college kids came in.

There were likely very few all-around good guys left in the world. Someday, when I began to trust again, I was going to look for one of them. Kingsville wasn't a huge city, but there must be someone for me here.

Trying to relax and look around, I made the terrible mistake of glancing out the window at the old black car parked right out front. A shudder ran through me as I jerked my head back to face the interior of the diner.

My eyes landed squarely on the good guy. The huge guy. The one who was now smiling and slowly coming toward me. He stood beside me without getting too close, holding out his hand.

“Hi. Leif Martin.”

I hesitated. But I'd seen him around, and Claudia seemed to like joking around with him. “Hayden .”

“Keep smiling politely, and don’t look outside again,” he said gently. “There’s someone out there you’re avoiding, isn’t there?”

Nodding, I tried to keep a neutral expression, as if we were discussing the weather. “Yes. How did you know?”

“May I join you?”

I waved to the other side of the booth. “Sure.”

He slid gracefully along the navy vinyl, then rested his hands on the formica between us. “I work in security,” he said, keeping that same neutral expression. “It’s none of my business, but if there’s a problem, I’d like to help.”

He placed a business card on the table between us, and I picked it up. MarTech Securities, it said, and there was his contact info. I glanced over to see Claudia mouth the words, "He's cool."

Even though he was a complete stranger, I felt my body sigh with relief. “Thank you.”