'I'm sure.' The greasy meat and cheese might look good
but I knew I'd pay for it later. My stomach couldn't handle
that sort of junk anymore. I had the notes to thank for that.
Eric contemplated the taco. 'I love tacos. They're life's
perfect food.'
I laughed and sipped my drink. 'If you say so.'
'You don't like tacos?' he asked, stil not biting into his food.
'Oh, I love Mexican food. Just not from Taco Bel.'
'So why did you want to stop here?' He pushed some
stray lettuce into the taco shel.
I was caught, though he couldn't know it. 'I like the extra-
huge drinks.'
Eric nodded as though what I'd said made sense. I
excused myself to use the restroom. I wasn't eating
anything, but I stil wanted to wash my hands and face
after the walk. My phone vibrated from my pocket and I
puled it out to find an unexpected picture text message.
A taco.
No message, just the photo, but I knew it at once as the
one in front of Eric. I fel back to lean against the stal's
metal wal, my phone clutched to my heart. I wanted to
dance. I wanted to laugh. Then I washed my hands quickly
and patted my face with a wet paper towel. I hesitated
only a minute before typing a reply. Fast food wil rot your
guts. Next time when I give you a reward, I expect you to
guts. Next time when I give you a reward, I expect you to
treat yourself to something worthwhile.
The words felt stilted without my paper and pen and the
luxury of time. Standing in a public bathroom that reeked
of disinfectant, it was hard to conjure up an image of
myself as a wickedly commanding mistress. Yet there was
no denying the thril rippling through me when I hit the send
button.
Eric had finished his taco by the time I got back. If he
thought anything of how long it had taken me, he didn't
mention it. He baled up his wrapper and tossed al the
trash as I picked up my cup.
'We could start back,' I said just as his phone erupted in a jangle.
'Excuse me,' he said and waited the bare half second for
me to nod my assent. He flipped open the phone and his
eyes scanned the message. He smiled and tucked it back
into his pocket. 'Ready?'
'Can we go back a little slower?' I lifted my cup.
'Sure.' Eric roled his head on his neck then patted his
stomach with a grin. 'If you want.'
The darkening sky and sudden chil breeze kept us from
dawdling, but the conversation made the time pass just as
fast as if we'd been running. I forgot for a moment or two,
listening, that I was deceiving him and that I knew his
secrets. Eric had a great sense of humor and was smart.
