I stand on my tiptoes, eyeing the small, open table toward the back windows. It’s barely big enough for one person, but at least it has a lake view.
“Can we have that one?” I say, pointing.
“You got it. Follow me,” she says, grabbing two menus and making her way through the crowd.
Both Wade and I follow after her and when we reach the table, again, Wade positions himself so he can pull out my chair for me.
A slow smile burns across my face and I lean in when he’s taken his seat. “You know, I can pull out the chair myself.”
He raises his eyebrows in a knowing fashion. “I happen to be well aware. However, if there’s one thing that’s rubbed off on me from being with my grandpa, it’s that we need more chivalry in this world. So, why not be the change? You know?”
The server’s smile broadens, and she says, “Awww, aren’t you two cute? Would you like anything to drink to get you started?”
She passes the menus to us and pulls out a tablet computer from a pouch on the front of her outfit.
“I’ll have a cherry Coke,” I say without even glancing at the menu.
“Same.” Wade nods.
“Okey-dokey. Be back in a second to take your order,” she says, tapping the screen and walking away.
I take his hands in mine and lean back in. They’re freezing, so I rub them, trying to warm them up with some sort of friction. When I look up, Wade is watching me with a goofy grin.
I clear my throat. “So, is your grandpa one of those cute old guys who used to treat your grandma like a queen?” Images of an old couple doing everything together flashed through my mind.
“Yeah, they were really kinda sweet when she was still alive. The two of them used to take turns, too. Grandma would make cookies and be sure Grandpa got the first pick. Or make cups of coffee throughout the day for him, even though she didn’t touch the stuff. I don’t know, it’s all kinda sweet and it gives me a goal to aspire to reach. You know?”
I nod, placing my chin on top of my left fist. “Sounds like they’ve left an impression on you.”
“Yeah, I guess they have. After my parents… They were always sweet, really. They tried to tame me and make me stay with them, but I just had too much of a rebellious streak, I guess. But what about you, though? You said you had more you wanted to talk about?” he says, turning the menu over.
My eyebrows tug in and all the events of this past week play over in my mind. As much as I really do trust Wade, I feel like I need to protect him, too. He has so much to deal with because of his grandpa…
“Well, it’s been a crazy week, as you probably guessed. I’ve been busy trying to keep up with school and figure out my powers. Plus, I’m still getting used to Dad…and evidently, Abigail,” I say.
“So, start there…” Wade says, glancing up. “You said she showed you where the doorknob was?”
I glance down at my menu and nod. “Yeah.”
“So what happened?”
“I don’t know, really. She’s been trying to guide me to it for a while, but for some reason, only when my dad isn’t around. I wasn’t able to get to it right away. Yesterday was the first time I went downstairs.”
Our server comes back and places our Cokes in front of us. Absently, I pull mine close and take a sip.
“Are we ready?” she asks, pulling her tablet out again.
Blinking hard, I realize I haven’t even taken in anything from the menu.
“Uhm…” I say, pulling it close again and staring at it blankly.
“Can you give us a couple more minutes?” Wade suggests, shooting a smile at the server.
“Sure thing. If it helps, our mushroom and Swiss burger basket is the special tonight,” she says, starting to walk away. “I can personally attest to its deliciousness.”
“Oh, I’ll go with that,” I nod, handing her the menu. “But can I have onion rings with ranch dressing?”
She takes the menu and nods. “Yep, we can do that for ya, honey. How about you?”
Wade tips his head in return. “I will have the same. But fries for me, please.”
The server’s fingers tap across the screen and when she’s done, she smiles, grabs Wade’s menu, and walks off.
“So, tell me about tonight. What was going on when I broke up the party?” Wade says, watching me with the kind of intensity that makes me squirm in my seat like a kid who was caught stealing.
“There was no party…” I mutter, taking another sip. “I was feeling really overwhelmed with everything I’d found. I needed someone to talk to…”
“You know you could have called me? You could have Facetimed me and brought me in the basement with you,” he says. A slow grin slides across his features—an easy, lopsided smile that almost reaches his eyes. But not quite.
I glance down at the table and stretch my hands out across the void between us. He takes the hint, reaching forward himself, and taking my hands in his.
Sighing, I say, “I should have, I’m sorry. It’s just—I thought you had so much to deal with already. I didn’t want to put more on your plate.”
“You never have to worry about that. Seriously. Whatever you need, I’m here for you. I know it didn’t seem like it last time we talked. I’m sorry I blew you off the other day. I didn’t mean to make light of what your friends were telling you. If someone had told me that I need to be cautious of you, I’d need a moment, too.”
I shake my head, staring at the tabletop. “It was stupid. Wade, I know you’ve been nothing but honest with me. I
