Page 41 of Tides and Tidings

My mouth dropped.

“Was I right?” Charlie’s eyes lit up.

I shook my head in disbelief, “ You sure did.”

“Honestly,” he shrugged his shoulders shyly, “as soon as I saw it had guacamole on it, I knew you were a goner.”

My stomach fluttered. Charlie knows everything about me. “You know me so well.”

“I’m observant…and also know what my lady likes.” Charlie lowered his voice, “Both with food and in the bedroom.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw our server on her way over to us.

“Good evenin’, y’all! How are we doin’ today?” Her brunette curls bounced against her smooth cheeks as she smiled at each of us. She was younger—fresh out of college—and had the energy I wish I still possessed. I glanced down at her name tag: Junie B.

There’s no way this girl had the same name as my favorite book series when I was a kid.

“We’re doing well, thanks.” I paused, seriously considering my next step. “Were you named after the book character?” I motioned to her name tag. I could feel my cheeks turn red.

“Which character?” Junie’s brow furrowed slightly.

“Junie B. Jones. It was a book series from the 1990s.” I confirmed.

She paused awkwardly. “I wasn’t born then.”

My stomach sank. I am officially old. I suppose now is a good time to throw one foot in the grave.

“Oh,” I plastered the best pretend smile I could on my face.

“Is this your first time here?” Junie plowed through the awkward like a champ.

I nodded, “It is.”

“Welcome!” She pulled a notepad from her apron, “What can I get ya?”

“Can I please have a water and a San Diego burger?”

“A great choice. That’s my favorite.” Junie jotted it down, “Would you like fries with it?”

My eyes went wide. If I could eat one thing for the rest of my life, it would be perfectly crisp and salty fries. “That would be great. Thank you.”

She turned towards Charlie and batted her eyelashes, “And for you, handsome?”

He drummed his fingers on the table while his eyes wandered the menu for the last time. The man was utterly oblivious to her flirting. “I’ll have a double burger and fries with a sweet tea, please.”

“Anything else?” Her eyes were locked on Charlie.

“That’ll be it.” He immediately looked at me.

“I’ll get that put in for you and will be right back with your drinks.” She returned a moment later with our drinks. “Are you sure I can’t get y’all anythin’ else?” Her gaze was locked on Charlie.

“We’re good, thank you.” He replied.

My eyes went wide, and a smirk spread across my lips. “She was totally flirting with you!” I whisper yelled.

“Was she?” his head cocked to the side, a piece of his hair falling across his forehead.

“Yep. Batted her eyelashes and everything.”