Our Way

“Mine, too.” He seems surprised.

A smile crosses my face. “Really? Where did you move from?”

“Vermont, although I studied in New York.”

“Do you know anyone here in San Fran?”

“Not a soul.”

“Me neither.”

He twists his lips in a semblance of a smile before he holds out his hand to shake mine. “I’m Nathan.”

“Hi, Nathan. I’m Eliza.” We shuffle forward in the line. “I think I’m going to have the turkey on rye.”

He nods as he peruses the choices. “I think I’m going with the ham and pickle.”

A lady walks past us with a big slab of lasagne and salad, and both our eyes near pop out.

He points to her plate. “I’m getting that.”

“Me, too.” I giggle.

“Next!” the server calls. Nathan steps forward. “Could I please have two lasagnes and salads?”

“Drinks?” the woman mutters, uninterested.

“No, Nathan,” I whisper, “I’ll get mine.”

“You can buy my lunch tomorrow.” He offers me a naughty wink. “That way, I have something to look forward to.”

My stomach flutters.

“What drink do you want?” he asks.

“Oh, Diet Coke.”

His brow furrows. “That shit’s bad for you, Eliza.”

I roll my eyes. “Is it, Dad?”

He twists his lips in amusement. “We’ll have a mineral water and a Diet Coke, please.” He passes his card to her. “Find us a table,” he whispers to me.

“Okay.”

I take off in search for a table. This is the best damn cafeteria I’ve ever seen. Lasagne and hot new guys! This is a dream come true.

I take a seat at a table near the window, and I stare over at Nathan as he waits for our lunch. He’s super tall an

d towers over everyone around him. He’s wearing a pale blue shirt that’s rolled up at the sleeves, as well as a dark tie and navy pants. He has sandy colored hair and big blue eyes. He might just be the most handsome man I’ve ever seen.

And we’re eating lasagne together.

Nerves dance around in my stomach. A few moments later, Nathan sits down with a tray of our lasagne and drinks.

“Thank you.” I smile as I take mine from him.

He takes a bite of his food. “So, what are you doing here?” He nods in approval at the first mouthful of lasagne. “This is good.”