Chapter Three

Hope

It's been about four days since I've seen Caleb, but that doesn't stop my eyes from darting to the door of the café every time the bell jingles. It's making me insane, causing me to forget orders, but the more time goes by the less hope there is that I'll see him again. Thursdays are always dead around here, so Tammy and I take turns serving customers, no matter which section they choose for themselves.

At the moment, there is only one table of customers and Tammy is taking care of them. I make myself busy by wiping down the counters and refilling the ketchup bottles. When the bell jingles, my eyes jump to the door and are finally rewarded with the image of Caleb strolling in. Tonight he is wearing black suit pants and a light blue long-sleeved button up shirt. I notice that he has ditched his tie already and has run his fingers through his unruly hair.

I can't help the smile that spreads across my face as he approaches the counter. I take a deep breath to steady my racing pulse. His eyes take me in from my ratty old sneakers, up past my hips and waist, until they land on my eyes. He grins and we both chuckle a little at being caught so openly checking each other out. He is a dream-gorgeous, wealthy and out of my league.

"Hello, Hope," he says, as he puts his hands in his pockets and leans back on his heels.

"Hey, Caleb. Need a menu today?" I ask, hoping he'll stay for something that will take longer than a slice of pie.

"No, just the pie with ice cream. Where's your section?" he asks, glancing around. Tammy waves at him and gives me a knowing look, at which I roll my eyes.

"Anywhere you'd like. You're mine tonight." When his eyebrows shoot up I realize what I've said and feel myself flush before I try to wave away the words. "I mean, it's my turn to serve you." This earns me a laugh and I close my eyes and bite back my own laughter before finally digging myself out of the hole. "Sit anywhere, Caleb."

"Over so soon? I kind of liked where that was going," he jokes, before sliding up to the counter. I just shake my head and reach under the counter for a mug. I can feel his eyes on me and I try hard not to spill his coffee all over the place.

"I'll be right back with that pie." As I turn away from him I continue under my breath, "And, hopefully, a little bit of my dignity." I hear his chuckle as I enter the kitchen. I let myself imagine for a minute what it would be like to be a regular girl my age. Maybe I wouldn't need to take the bus home; I would just walk to my apartment. Or maybe I wouldn't have anyone waiting on me, so I wouldn't have to go home at all.

I make my way out of the kitchen and into reality instead of my fantasy. Caleb is watching me like I'm the most interesting thing he has ever seen.

"Here you go." I set the pie down in front of him. "Thanks again for what you did on Saturday. You didn't have to, but I appreciate it, more than you could ever know."

"It was nothing. I meant what I said." His fork is resting in his hand and the mood between us has switched from light to serious. I smile at him and move down the counter to finish filling the ketchup, using a towel to wipe up spills.

After a few minutes I hear Caleb's deep voice. "You know what would go really well with this pie?"

I turn around and swing the towel over my shoulder, lifting my brows in question.

"Let's see." I pretend to think for a minute. "Two scoops of ice cream instead of one? Cinnamon shavings? A thinner crust?"

"Are two scoops even possible?" he asks seriously, but then laughs. "Okay, I was trying to get your attention and I was pretty proud of the line I was going to use, but apparently you've given that issue a little more thought than I'd expected." I can't help but laugh at his admission.

"Sorry," I say, shifting my weight to the other side, "I don't have much experience with this. Please, tell me what you were going to say. What would make your pie better?"

"A conversation with you while I ate it." His face is serious now and his words have stolen the air from my lungs. Tammy lets out a low whistle from the end of the counter.

"What do you say? Come sit next to me for a minute and keep me company. I don't see anyone else that needs you right now and I'd love a little of your time." I glance around the café to make sure we are the last ones here and before I can answer him Tammy walks past with her purse in her hands.

"Hope, sit down with the boy. I've shut everything down and I'll flip the sign on my way out. Just lock up behind you when you leave." I thank her and make my way around to Caleb's side of the counter.

"So why do you look so fancy all the time?" I ask. "We don't see many guys dressed like you in this place."

"My job. My family owns a chain of hotels, and I work out of the office here. I hate the suits, but they kind of go with the territory, so I've learned to live with them." He stops talking to take a mouthful of pie. I watch the muscles of his arm as he moves.

"They don't care about the tattoos?" Reaching out, I trace the lines along his exposed forearm and begin to study each image. His breath hitches, but I continue to trail my finger along his skin because I just can't seem to stop myself.

"My dad's not a big fan, but no one else cares so long as I have them covered during the work day. What about you? Any ink?" His eyes skate across the skin he can see.

"I do, but you won't find it." I smile at him and pull my hand away. "I got it on my eighteenth birthday." Curiosity is evident in his eyes but I am relieved when he doesn't question me any further.

"Are you from around here, Hope?" He takes another bite and then I hear my stomach growl. I quickly cover it with my arm but he's already heard.

"I'm from here and there. Lots of places." I don't want to tell him how much I've moved around. My mother could never stay in one place too long because of her drug use or the company she kept. I was in foster care for a few years in junior high and high school before I was finally able to start working and get a place that Nathan and I could call home.

"Are you hungry? We could grab something to eat." He looks so hopeful it warms my heart. I hesitate, checking the time.

"I have about an hour before the last bus. There's a little burger place a few doors down. I think they're still open."

"I could take you home. You don't have to take the bus. We could have a little more time that way." I'm already shaking my head before he finishes.

"I appreciate the offer, but I think I should stick to the bus." He nods his head and hands me a twenty to cover the pie. When I try to make change for him he waves it off and wipes his face on a napkin.

"One day, I hope you'll share with me your reason for loving public transportation, but until then I guess I'll just take what I can get." I stand up and go to the back to grab my stuff and shut off the lights. I meet him at the front door with my sweater and purse, and we step outside into the cold night. I think the temperature is more apparent to me because of the heat of the flush that has crept across my skin.

When I finish locking up, I put the keys into my purse and turn in the direction of the little burger shop on the corner. My feet are sore and my back hurts, but that does nothing to take away from the happiness that fills me and puts this goofy smile on my face. I bring my hand up to capture a strand of hair that has freed itself from my ponytail and when my hand returns to my side, I feel Caleb take it in his.

His eyes meet mine and steal the air right from my lungs. I've dated before but it's been a while, and it's never been with a man like him. Most of the men I've dated were more like boys and never did anything nice for me without expecting something in return. Walking along next to Caleb with our hands joined together feels surreal, and I fight off the voice in my head that tells me I'm not worthy of him.

We don't speak during the short walk, and I wonder if it's because he's feeling the same way I am. My heart is pounding hard in my chest, and I'm fighting to relax the smile that is now hurting my cheeks. When we do make eye contact, it's as if we're teenagers, ducking our heads and smiling all over again. When we reach our destination he lets go of my hand so he can open the door for me and then he puts his hand on my back to guide me to a seat.

We order our burgers and the conversation starts to flow. He tells me about the family business and his brothers and sister. He asks if I remember her from a few months ago, and, of course, I do. We talk about his father, and he also mentions his mother, who passed away when he was young. The more he tells me about himself the more I can see that we are worlds apart.

When the conversation turns to me I talk about my grandparents and how much fun they were before they passed away. I tell him that my mother comes and goes from my life as she chooses and I'm okay with that. I have no father to mention and the conversation begins to die as I feel myself closing up. I don't mention Nathan because he's something I don't share with strangers. I see in Caleb's eyes the questions he wants to ask, but he's too much of a gentleman to voice them tonight, and for that I am thankful.

I almost forget to look at the time as we eat our burgers and share our fries. He isn't as stuffy or narcissistic as I would imagine a man with money to be. Instead, he's down to earth and kind, which only makes the fact that we live such different lives hurt more and more as we get to know each other. Caleb pays our bill, leaving the waitress a large tip, and then takes my hand again as we leave.

"I had a really fun time tonight, Hope." It feels so formal given the friendly banter we had going inside. My stomach flips with the expectation of what's coming next. I imagine he'll say goodnight and that he can't see me again. Maybe he'll make me a promise he won't keep. Instead, he continues, "Hypothetically, how many times a week could a man turn up at the café without looking like a stalker?" He pretends to scratch his chin in thought, and I laugh with relief.

"Well, hypothetically, of course, I think every day but Sunday." I look away from him because I'm not usually this bold. He tugs my hand back to him, and I swing my head back to look into his eyes.

"Sundays would be too much?" he asks in a pretend-serious voice.

"The service isn't as good on Sundays," I say, and he nods as a big smile stretches across his face. Sundays are always my day off. I don't have anyone who can cover for me with Nathan, so Tammy and the others know not to put me on the schedule.

"Are you sure I can't drive you home, Hope? It goes against everything I believe in to leave you at the bus stop." He turns to me as we reach the bench.

"I'm a big girl, Caleb. I'll be fine. Thank you again for the offer and for dinner. I had a fun night, too." I will myself to let go of his hand, but my body doesn't listen.

I hear the sound of the bus heading in our direction and his face falls as he sees it coming down the street. He pulls me into his chest in a warm hug, and I almost tear up. It has been so long since anyone has held me. I force myself to keep it together as he presses a soft kiss to my cheek.

"Thank you for tonight." It's a warm whisper in my ear that causes goosebumps to pebble my skin. "I already can't wait to see you tomorrow." He brings my hand to his lips and brushes a soft kiss across my knuckles. I can't say anything. His words have created a lump in my throat that makes speaking impossible.

I nod my head and offer him a smile before climbing the bus steps. He stands outside watching as I find my seat by the window. I give him a small wave as the doors close, and he smiles that adorable smile that brings out the dimple I find so endearing. When the bus leaves the curb I close my eyes and rest my head on the back of the seat.

I wonder to myself how long I will get to have this little dream before my reality comes crashing into it.

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