Page 27 of Timid (Lark Cove 2)

“Good.”

“Your dad’s a teacher, right?”

She nodded. “Science.”

“And your mom? What does she do again?”

“She’s an accountant. She helps out Bob with some of the bookkeeping at the diner and then does tax returns for a bunch of people every year. She likes it because it gives her the summers free to spend with my dad and to do her gardening.”

“Is she the one who did all the flowers then? Up your stairs?”

“Yep.” After another short answer, Willa examined her water glass.

I took a moment to glance around the room, trying to think of another topic to discuss. She wasn’t giving me much to go on and I had a sudden case of stage fright. The only other conversation starter that popped into my head was the weather, and I refused to talk about the fucking weather.

“How are things at the camp?” I asked.

“Good.” She sipped her water. “Busy. We just brought in a new bunch of kids yesterday so the first couple days are crazy as they all get settled.”

“I bet. Do you ever have kids who get homesick, go home early?”

“Sometimes, but they rarely leave. It usually only takes a day for them to get comfortable and make some friends. Then they usually don’t want to go home.”

“I never went to camp as a kid.”

“That’s too bad. They’re a lot of fun.”

“I bet.” I would have killed to escape my foster home for a week. There was no way I would have gotten homesick.

Behind Willa at one of the tables, a customer gave me a nod for their check. “Be right back.”

I hustled to the till and printed out their bill, then delivered it and cleared some glasses. After I rang them up and wiped down their table, I went back to my spot across from Willa.

She was studying her water glass, and while I’d been gone, she’d pulled her hair back into a long ponytail so it was off her face. She was wearing a pair of jeans and a black, sleeveless blouse that showed off her slender arms. The collar of the blouse was high, but it had a deep cut. Her shirt was blousy and loose, and with the way she was leaned forward with her elbows on the bar, it hinted at her black lace bra underneath.

She didn’t have large breasts, but that didn’t stop me from trying to sneak a peek. I bet she’d blush something fierce if she knew I was attempting to look down her shirt.

“Hey.” My eyes snapped away from Willa’s chest to the woman standing by her side. It was the same one who’d been flirting with me all night.

She had her arms pressed tight to her ribs, forcing her breasts together. Out of habit, my gaze dropped to her chest. It was like a car accident on the side of the road. Those tits got a glance whether you wanted to see the carnage or not.

Unlike Willa’s, this woman’s top could barely contain her breasts. The material pulled as low as possible to show off her cleavage. This chick couldn’t pull off subtle, unlike Willa, who was sexy without even trying.

“What can I get for you?” I asked.

“My friends are ready to go, so I just wanted to leave this for you.” She set three twenties on the bar. On the top one was a name—Cee Cee—and a phone number written in red sharpie.

“Thanks.” I took the bills back to the register and made change. “Here.” I handed her a five and some coins.

“Keep it,” she purred. “And call me.”

I gave her a polite smile. “Thanks.”

She turned, flipping her brown hair over a shoulder, then strutted back to her friends. She looked ridiculous, her ass swaying and her heels teetering with every step. If she wasn’t careful, she was going to trip on a peanut shell and break an ankle.

It took forever for her and her friends to gather up their shit and leave, and when they were finally out the door, I turned my attention back to Willa.

It was just the two of us now, but I didn’t know how long the privacy would last. My dinner rush was over and Mondays were normally our slowest night. But with my luck, someone would be here soon for a nightcap, ruining my chances of talking to Willa alone.