Page 29 of Finding Forever

The warmth hit Beth as soon as she stepped inside, carrying the smell of fresh coffee, fried onions, and something sweet baking in the kitchen. Christmas decorations still hung along the counter, slightly crooked and obviously handmade. An elderly couple occupied one booth, and two men in work jackets sat at the counter talking quietly.

Beth and Dave took a booth beside the window.

She had barely opened the menu before deciding Dave would order a burger. It seemed to fit him somehow—straightforward, uncomplicated, and sensible.

He surprised her by ordering tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich.

Beth stared at him.

He looked up and grinned. “What?”

She shook her head. “Nothing.”

Dave’s eyes narrowed. “You thought I’d order something else.”

“A burger.”

The corner of his mouth lifted.

When the waitress turned to Beth, she ordered the burger.

Dave waited until the woman walked away before looking pointedly at her.

“I know,” Beth warned. “It has more cholesterol and saturated fat than anyone should consume. But it has lettuce and tomatoes, so that makes it almost healthy.”

His grin widened.

It was such a small thing, but Beth found herself laughing.

Outside, the snow continued to fall, gathering on the hood of Dave’s truck and turning the parking lot white. Inside, the windows fogged slightly at the edges and the diner settled into the comfortable murmur of lunchtime conversation.

They talked while they ate.

At first it was about the arts center. The worktables would need sanding, and Dave thought they could replace the cabinet handles cheaply. From there they drifted to Kayla’s wedding, and then to Laurel and her increasingly elaborate plans for the center’s grand opening.

By the time Dave stole two of Beth’s fries, they’d stopped talking about anything important.

And Beth liked it.

She liked discovering that Dave’s first car had been an ancient Ford that he’d spent more time repairing than driving. She liked hearing about the summer job he’d hated as a teenager and the things his son had done years ago that he’d only discovered after Mark was an adult.

Then Dave admitted he’d once taken ballroom dancing lessons.

Beth was so surprised that her coffee sloshed over the edge of the cup.

Dave’s expression told her he already regretted telling her. Carol had wanted to learn, he explained, so they’d signed up for lessons together. He’d been terrible. So terrible, in fact, that he’d stepped on Carol’s foot hard enough to make her limp for two days.

Beth laughed until her eyes watered.

When she finally looked at him again, Dave was watching her.

His smile was still there, but something in his expression had softened.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Beth lowered her gaze to her coffee. The waitress passed their table and topped up their cups.

Beth wrapped both hands around hers. “Did you enjoy the dancing?”