Until Arden

Chapter 7

Arden

DashandIagree to meet up at a little walk-up restaurant on the south side of town near the building site where he is working. I’ve tried to talk myself out of meeting him for the last forty-eight hours but can’t even come up with a legitimate reason I can sell to myself.

Why am I so nervous? It’s just lunch. It’s not like I’m asking him to move in.

I pull up to a stop sign and lean forward, tapping my hands on the steering wheel. Why does my brain have to be like this?

That’s another question I shouldn’t be asking myself. Sixteen months of Shane’s manipulation on top of eighteen years with my mom pulling similar stunts. Trusting myself is a luxury I’ve only started working on in the last three years. Now, it seems, Dash is going to test that progress. I don’t see Dash’s truck when I pull in, so I pull up to the side of the building where there are a few open spaces.

The building that houses the restaurant is barely the size of a two-car garage, with the back half completely bricked up, and large windows toward the front, with specials written all over in colorful paints. An awning sticks out from the sides and front, sticking out about two feet and lit up with purple and pink neon lights. It reminds me of an old shake shack I used to visit back home, but this structure is obviously much newer, just built with an old-time feel.

Should I get out? Should I sit in my car? I don’t know what to do. I push my hand through my hair and blow out a long breath.

I hear the familiar low rumble of the truck pulling up behind me, and my heart picks up a few beats. I watch his reflection in the side mirror as Dash pulls his pickup into the spot next to me and kills the engine.

I grab my purse and climb out of the car, meeting Dash’s gaze through his passenger side window. He’s wearing a ball cap and sunglasses, removing the latter when he meets me on the sidewalk leading around the restaurant.

“Sorry, if I kept you waiting.” Dash’s mouth quirks up into a smile, and I wonder if I’ll ever get used to the way he looks at me.

“Not really. I haven’t explored this part of town much, so I actually thought you might beat me here.” I try to swallow the lump in my throat, but it won’t budge. Maybe I should reconsider that milkshake I was looking forward to.

I let Dash take the lead as we walk toward the front windows and get in line. “Is this your usual lunch spot?”

Dash nods. “Yeah, the food’s decent and they’re usually pretty quick.”

Alongside the sweet scents wafting from the restaurant, I can smell the faint scent of cologne on him, a fresh, woodsy, musky scent.

I try to bridle my nerves and focus on the menu. Even though I’ve pulled up their menu on my phone half a dozen times, I can’t seem to remember a thing I read. “What’s good?”

“The barbeque sandwich.” He didn’t hesitate and sounds so confident that I decide to give it a try.

A young blonde girl slides open the window and motions toward us. “What can I get for you?”

Dash looks to me, silently asking if I’m ready, and I step forward, ordering the barbecue, fries, and a chocolate shake. When I glance up from the counter, Dash is looking my way, but quickly returns his gaze to the counter. He orders the same food along with his usual ice water. Then we move to the back of the patio to wait for our food.

“Do you ever drink anything except water and beer?”

Dash laughs, and for a second, I’m not sure if I offended him. “I don’t like sugary drinks. They don’t sit well with me, especially on days I’m working in the heat. Although, I’d be willing to make an exception under the right circumstances.” He flashes me a flirty grin and a wink.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” I turn my head to hide the heat that’s rising in my cheeks. I suck in air, but it feels like oxygen isn’t getting to my brain. I don’t know what I’ve gotten myself into, but suddenly I feel more excited than terrified.

Dash chuckles and bumps into my shoulder as if he knows he’s flustered me.

“Why couldn’t Janelle have found me an intolerable mechanic?”

Dash makes a sound in his throat. “You find me tolerable? I guess coming from you, that’s quite the compliment.”

Pursing my lips, I return his shoulder bump. He pretends to be knocked off balance, hitting the outside of his foot against my leg. We continue this childish game until my stomach hurts from laughing. “No wonder Holden likes you.”

“And how does Holden’s mom feel?”

I’m sure my cheeks are red, but I stare up at him, drinking in every feature on his face. My toes curl inside my shoes. I want to give him an honest answer, but it’s my self-doubt getting in the way. “She enjoys your company.”

The truth is, I’ve felt attracted to him from the moment I saw him at Paddy’s. That’s the reason I pushed back so hard and tried to dismiss him. This is dangerous territory.

“I can live with that, for now.”

The tone of his voice makes my skin tingle, and I have to look away. The intensity in his eyes is too much to handle.

All the people who placed orders ahead of us have begun clearing out, moving to picnic tables scattered around the grassy section of the lot.

Then, a man steps around the corner of the building, and a pulse explodes in my chest. The pain radiates through my shoulders, leaving them icy cold, and steals the breath from my lungs.

It only takes me a second to realize it isn’t Shane, but adrenaline is already coursing through my veins.

“Arden.”

Before Dash can finish my name, I spin toward him, leaning into his chest. Better this than everyone here seeing the tears welling up in my eyes. He wraps his arms around me, rubbing my back.

I just need to catch my breath.

I need my muscles to relax.

God, this is humiliating.