She looked past me to the food on the counter and licked her lips. “I think I’m going to need to get my strength up first.”
I served her us both our breakfast and we sat and ate. She asked more about my job and I told her of the few more interesting prostheses I’d developed over the past year. She ate heartily and hung on my every word.
“I think what you are doing is so amazing, Chance. Giving people the opportunity to live their lives without limitations, is truly a gift,” she said.
I nodded. “It really is,” I agreed. “What about you? You had a job helping people too. Do you miss it?” I asked.
“I do, but there’s no way I can do it anymore. I’d have to give people my real name and that would just make it easier for Nick to track me down.”
I sat up straight and looked at her. “Wait, you mean Dream isn’t your real name?”
She smiled and shook her head. “It’s my middle name actually, but I’ve always liked it better than my first name anyway.”
“So what’s your first name?” I couldn’t help but ask.
She made a face and said, “Jessica.”
“What’s wrong with that?” I asked, laughing. “From the look you gave me, I thought you were going to say it was Bertha or something like that.”
She giggled and shook her head. “No, it’s just that Jessica is so boring. Not to mention it’s what Nick called me. I don’t think I could ever hear another man call me that again.”
I nodded. “I get that. Besides, Dream suits you better,” I said, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from her eyes.
“This is a nice town to put down roots. If Nick wasn’t a factor, would you? You know, put down roots here in Buffalo?”
“It is a nice place, isn’t it? I love the painted brick downtown and the old town style.”
“I like it too.”
She finished her food and then sat back in her chair. Her sheet was starting to sag, and she held it up tight against her front as she sipped the last of her coffee.
I reached over and gave it a tug, and it fell open. She gave me a look, her brow raising.
“I just want another look at you.” I passed the phone to her. “Call Liza, and let her know what’s up.”
She dialed the number and put the phone to her ear as my eyes lingered down her body. I could never get enough of her. Not in a million years. I found myself growing too close too soon, and I knew it was going to be a problem when Star came home.
“Hey, Liza. I’m sorry about yesterday. Yeah, I’m fine. I’ve been with him all night.” She rolled her eyes and though I couldn’t hear what Liza was saying, by the blush staining Dream’s face, I had a good idea that she was asking if we’d slept together.
“Go ahead and tell her it was amazing.”
I shook my head, and she reached out and slapped my arm. “You’re both horrible.” She watched as I stood, and then I went to the sink with our plates and rinsed them off, and she put Liza on speaker.
“He thinks I should stay here a bit and well, I have to agree. I can’t help but think he already is looking for me at your place and the diner, so I should probably stay away a while. Also, I’m not going to be able to come into the diner.”
“Shit, girl. You can’t quit. I’ll give you some time and say you called in sick; terrible flu and all that, it will buy you some time and that way, Harold can’t make me replace you. The new girl is working out, and she’ll appreciate the extra hours.”
“Thank you, Liza. I’m hoping Nick just thinks I split again and goes away. Until then, Chance needs to come by and get my things.”
“Although, she does look amazing in my bedsheet.” I felt something hit my back as she threw a placemat across the room at me.
“Stop it,” she mouthed.
“Well, good for you, girl,” Liza said, get some for me too, eh?
“You two are impossible. Look, he’s coming to get my things, I can’t come with him, so if you could gather them up for me, I’d appreciate it. I’ll still help with the rent, and if this thing blows over, I’ll be back, okay.”
The two continued their talk as I went to gather a few things for her to wear while I was gone. I found a US Navy T-shirt and a pair of sweats and left them on the bed and then I got myself dressed to go downtown to the post and to Liza’s.
She walked up behind me and put her arms around my waist. “Thank you, Chance.” I turned around and pulled her close.