Page 24 of Don’t Be A Stranger

“And what can I get y’all tonight?” Lacey, our waitress, smiles.

Her blonde, curly hair is pinned back and the blue and white diner uniform reminds me of something pulled straight from Grease.

River orders first, getting a bacon cheeseburger. He looks at me from across the table. “Are you doing the chicken Caesar salad?”

I smile because yes, that’s what I usually get but tonight I feel like treating myself.

“No, actually,” I say, catching River off guard. “I’ll take the garlic butter steak—medium rare—and cheesy mash potatoes.”

River nods his head, seeming impressed with me loosening the reins on my usually strict diet.

We thank Lacey and hand her back the menus. When she leaves, River is grinning at me. All amusement and teasing already on his lips.

“Wow, we really are treating ourselves tonight.”

“Yeah.” I shrug, acting like this isn’t a big deal. It’s just food. I mean, food I’m excited for and won’t hesitate to scarf down, but there’s no need for River to be looking at me like he’s proud or something. “It’s a special occasion.”

I look down at River’s white dress shirt and crooked tie. The hair that usually hangs in front of his face is now brushed back, giving me a better view of his brown eyes. He looks great but I don’t know why he decided to pair the look with black cargo shorts. Honestly, I wouldn’t put it past him to not own a single pair of nice slacks.

His attire is accompanied by my own. Luckily, I packed this plum silk slip dress when I moved out here. I was starting to think I didn’t need it after having worn it only once on a date with Savannah.

And what I meant by “special occasion” is that River and I are playing one of our favorite games.

Operation Newlyweds.

We learned a few years ago that people tend to give free things to newlyweds for some reason. Young newlyweds to be exact. So to play the part, we dress up.

I look around Joe’s. The retro diner has always had a certain appeal. Like we’ve somehow been transported to the 1950s.

I notice an older woman staring at me. Well, more like she’s staring in my direction. I look down at my hands that are resting on the table to see what has the woman’s attention. Whenever River and I play Operation Newlyweds, I purposely put one of my rings onto my left finger just to really play the role.

The woman’s eyes finally meet mine and her smile widens.

“It’s date night, I’m assuming,” the woman asks over the loud chatter.

River and I look at each other and I hold up my left hand. “We actually just got hitched.” The lie comes out of my mouth rather easily. Like that’s something that would be normal for River and me. I do, however, feel sort of awful for the lie, especially when the woman gasps and tugs on the sleeve of the man sitting next to her.

“Ricky.” She finally gets his attention pulled away from the small old television hanging up in the corner of the diner. “Aren’t they just the most adorable newlyweds?”

Ricky’s eyes take one quick sweep in our direction before grumbling something that sounds like a congratulations, just to quickly turn back to the TV.

I look up to see what’s playing. I can’t help but snort when it’s just the news.

“Thanks,” River beams.

Ricky’s wife turns back to River and me. She scooches her chair just slightly closer to our booth. I can’t help but smile at how adorable she is. Her bob is neatly curled and she’s wearing a matching blue cardigan and dress set. She’s actually having a date night.

I can’t possibly tell her the truth now.

“How long have you two been together?” the woman asks.

At least that’s one part we can be semi truthful about. In fact, the answer actually adds to our lighthearted lie.

“He’s been my best friend for ten years.” I reach over the table to rest my hand on top of River’s. He doesn’t pull away. Only because it sells the whole newlywed thing we’ve got going on, of course. I’m sure of it.

River adds, “Yeah, it was just me and her, side by side on the playground. I figured it was about time I put a ring on that pretty little finger.”

I try to keep my composure because there’s no reason for him to suddenly start pulling out a Southern accent. We’re literally in New York right now, and he’s from Korea. English isn’t his first language. River is far from a Southern man.