Glancing around the diner, Zara’s headache got worse. Nate wasn’t there. He had promised that he would be there on time this time and he wasn’t.
“One?” A waitress with a cheery grin came up to where she was standing by the door.
“Two.” Zara smiled tiredly.
“Do you want to wait here, at the counter, or at a booth?”
Zara refocused on the woman before her. Her name tag said Maggie. “A booth sounds heavenly. My friend should be arriving any minute. Medium height, shaggy brown curly hair and a devilish smile that he thinks will win him free pie. Could you send him over my way when he gets here?”
“Sure thing. We aren’t too busy so you can pick any booth. Can I get you anything while you wait for your friend?”
Zara glanced around. “Do you have hot chocolate?”
“The best.” Maggie nodded.
“I’ll take one of those.”
Shrugging off her coat and laying it over her purse on the bench, Zara plopped onto the vinyl seat and resisted laying her head on the table. She settled for slouching and leaning her head back against the seat. Her eyes slowly closed.
It was only a few minutes later that she heard the vinyl of the seat across from her moan as someone sat down.
“Finally.” She moaned. “You promised not to be late this time.”
“Please forgive me. I’m usually so punctual.”
Zara’s eyes snapped open at the sound of his voice. “You aren’t Nate.”
“No.” His smile widened. “I must admit I was surprised to be shown to your table. I was hoping that maybe it was just my day. My day could use a little lift. But by the way you are looking at me I can tell I am going to be kicked out.”
“I…no.” Zara shook her head once. “Please don’t get up.”
“Are you not waiting for someone?” His confusion was reflected on his face.
Zara checked her watch. “Yes, I am. And if history is any indication, he isn’t going to show up.”
“I would say that it is most unfortunate for you and for him, but rather fortunate for me. I never would have met you if he had shown up on time.”
“And why do you think meeting me is fortunate? I could be some annoying, clingy woman who won’t take no for an answer.” She smiled, relaxing back into her seat.
He must have taken it as a sign that he too could relax across from her. “I do still have the added bonus that you know nothing about me so you wouldn’t be able to stalk me.”
“That might stunt our conversation a little but I think I can work around it.” Zara paused. “No actually. I take it back. It would be impossible for me to talk about myself and not learn anything about you.”
He chuckled. “I might be persuaded to divulge a thing or two.”
“Like your name?”
He leaned onto the table. “You first.”
Zara laughed. “I’m glad the waitress mistook you for Nate. I’ve had a headache all day and now I don’t.”
“I’ve heard that laughter is a medicine for all sorts of ailments.” He cocked an eye at her and gave an exaggerated wink.
“Not something I’ve ever really had much belief in.” Zara confessed with a shrug.
Maggie popped up just then. “Here’s your hot chocolate. I added a little whipped cream because you seemed to need it.” She looked over at Zara’s new friend. “Could I get you anything? Pie, perhaps?”
“Your pot roast and another hot chocolate, please.” He smiled at Maggie without even looking at the menu.
Zara smiled. “You seem pretty confident about your choice. Have you been here before?”
“No. My father has though. And he goes on constantly about the pot roast. I promised him that I would try it.” He shrugged.
“I’ll have that too then.” Zara nodded.
After Maggie walked away, he smiled.
“Is that what brought you here? The pot roast?”
“Yes.” He glanced around as if suspicious of everyone else in the diner and smiled. “I promise I won’t tell.”
Zara stuck her hand out across the table with a bright grin. “I’m Zara.”
“No last name?”
“Hah.” Zara kept her hand out. “I don’t even know you.”
“Joel.” He took her hand and wiggled it.
They both burst out laughing before Zara covered her mouth to stifle it. Most of the diner was now looking their way “Sorry.” She said between giggles.
“So are we going to avoid talking about each other?”
“We can start with the basics.”
“Like what? What do you do for a living?” He shook his head.
Zara gave a mock glare. “No. We can start with what is your favorite movie? Or your favorite color? Or even what is a favorite childhood vacation of yours?”
“Dunkirk. Green. And hiking to as many waterfalls my parents could find and drive to in one summer. You?”
“You don’t waste much time.” Zara leaned back and sipped her hot chocolate. “I love water falls. Do you remember any of the places you went? How old were you?”
Maggie dropped off Joel’s hot chocolate and was gone again before Joel responded.
“The way I see it, if I can get to know you quickly enough we can move past the I’m-worried-you’re-a-psycho stage and get to the asking-you-out-on-a-date part of the evening.” He paused, eyes furrowed. “You weren’t waiting for your boyfriend or husband were you?” He glanced down at her left hand.
“I am single. Never been married. And I guess we can do our own private version of speed dating while we wait for our food.”
“And Nate won’t be a problem?
She shook her head sharply. “No.”
“Good. Oh and no, I was too young to know where we went. I only remember my feet hurting from all the hikes and still being amazed by how cool the waterfalls were; even after we had gone to so many of them. They were all so different. Now I am an avid secret waterfall chaser. Whenever I travel I hunt down whatever waterfalls are in the area and go hike to them.” He picked up his hot chocolate and motioned toward her with a grin. “Your turn. Movie, color, and vacation. Go.”
