Page 16 of Keeping Zita

“Bad day?” Zita asked.

“You have no idea. Look, all I’m saying is that I’d like to retract my statement about not wanting to date anyone. But the only person I’m remotely interested in getting to know better is you. I’m not saying we’ll fall madly in love and elope and have fourteen babies. But I’m open to the possibility. I don’t want you to think I’m going out of my way to ask you to come to Anchor Point and meet my friends without wanting to further our friendship. That’s not the kind of man I am. I’m trying to be open and honest here.”

For the first time, Zita’s shoulders relaxed a little and her facial expression softened. “I’m sorry. I’m being horrible. I…it’s just…I’ve been screwed over more than once, and I’m a little gun-shy about getting to know people while on set.”

“I understand. I won’t presume to know how you feel, but it sounds a lot like when my team and I are on a mission on a naval ship. We meet lots of people, some very nice men and women, but we’re always very careful to keep lines drawn because we’re well aware we won’t be there very long. And it’s extremely difficult to keep any kind of friendship going once we leave those ships. Not impossible, but not easy for sure.”

Zita nodded. Then asked, “You haven’t had a good day?”

“No. PT was brutal, something’s up with my team leader and his girlfriend, and that’s concerning. I think I’ve still got sand in my underwear from this morning, then there was Carmen, the coffee I got for you went to waste, it’s gross out here, even though it’s much better now than it was when I first got to the set, and I have an afternoon of meetings ahead of me.”

“I’m sorry.”

Obi-Wan shrugged. “Will you still come to Anchor Point tonight? No pressure. Just a night away from work, the set, and you can get out of your motel for a while.”

“What, you don’t think the Ocean Side Inn is exciting?”

“The Ocean Side Inn? Carmen said she was staying at the Cavalier.”

“She is. Logan and the director too. The rest of us lowly staff are at a budget motel.”

That made sense, but it still irritated Obi-Wan. He let it go because it wasn’t as if he could do anything about it. “You’ll come?” he pressed, really really really wanting her to say yes. “I can pick you up if you want. I’m assuming you don’t have a car here.”

“I don’t. Don’t need one. The set isn’t that far and it’s nice to get some fresh air and exercise in the mornings and afternoons by walking to and from the motel.”

She was killing him with the non-answers. Obi-Wan didn’t press again. Actually, he wanted to beg, but that wasn’t who he was. If she didn’t want to come to the bar tonight, she didn’t want to come to the bar.

“What time?” she asked.

Elation hit him hard. “Seven? We usually don’t stay too long. Maybe until around ten or so if we’re not too tired. But I’m guessing tonight might be an early night.”

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

She smiled and nodded. “Yeah. I’ll wait for you at the main doors of the lobby at the Ocean Side Inn. Seven. Don’t be late.”

“I’m never late,” Obi-Wan informed her. “And thank you. My day’s looking up already.”

She rolled her eyes. “And, Sage, you don’t have to bring me coffee every morning.”

“Do you like it?”

“Of course. What’s not to like?”

“I’ll make sure to have an extra-large cup tomorrow, to make up for not getting yours to you today.”

“It was my fault you couldn’t find me to give it to me.”

Obi-Wan simply shrugged.

“You’re different from pretty much any man I’ve been around before.”

“Good.” He didn’t bother to ask in what way. He hoped she meant it as a compliment, but he wasn’t going to push his luck.

The door behind them opened and two men and a woman came out. Both he and Zita stood, surrendering the table to the smokers. They took a few steps away before Obi-Wan said, “Looks like this is my cue to get going. I’ll see you tonight. Seven sharp.”

“Wait, I know you said Anchor Point is a dive bar, but just to make sure…I’m not going to be out of place in my cargo pants, T-shirt, and sneakers, am I? I don’t need to wear cowboy boots or daisy dukes, right?” She was grinning when she said it.