“I remember,” she said.
“Then we’re going to do this together, and you’re not going to call yourself thick, stupid, dumb, or any other word that you want to use, got it?” he asked.
She nodded.
He stroked her cheek and pressed a kiss to her lips.
Macie stood, reaching for some tissue and wiping at her tears.
He grabbed her books and went to his dining room table. Opening one book, he glanced through, seeing the struggles his woman had.
Wilson was only halfway through the first book when she brought out their food. Each time he turned a page, out of the corner of his eye, he saw her cringe. He kept on reaching out, touching her hand, and offering her support.
He wasn’t going to get rid of her at all.
Macie had no idea how much he craved her.
****
“Do you understand?” Carl asked.
“Yes, I think so.”
“That is fractions, sweetheart, and when you see food, it is a lot easier to understand. All those numbers, they put it in the books to make it harder.”
Macie chuckled.
Carl offered her a piece of apple, and she took it, biting into the sweet fruit.
“Thank you,” she said.
“No worries. I will help in any way that I can.” He winked at her. “So how are you getting on with school now?”
“It’s fine. Wilson won’t let me miss a day.”
“If I’d known you’d been missing school, I’d have said something as well, missy. Believe me, I know how you were excited about this. I had to listen to you talk nonstop about each professor, and every single day that you went.”
She winced. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. Just don’t let another opportunity like this pass you by.” He winked at her and handed her another slice of apple. “How much apple have I just given you?”
“A quarter.”
“And the one before that?” he asked.
“Another quarter.”
“And the two together make?”
“A half.”
“See. It takes baby steps.”
She nodded. “Can I ask what you think of Wilson?”
He chuckled. “You want to know if he’s a good guy?”
“I know he’s a good guy, but we haven’t gotten much time to talk since I started … dating him.”
Carl smiled and poured himself a cup of coffee.
They had just finished their lunch break rush. No one was in the diner, and so it was one of those few rare moments where they got the chance to catch up.
Wilson had to go to a meeting of some kind. He was rather vague that morning. He’d dropped her off at school for the first couple of hours. She had no lessons in the afternoon, and he’d picked her up only to bring her to the diner.
He wasn’t talking a lot, which did make her nervous, but she knew he was a busy man.
“You’re not sure if you’re dating him?” Carl asked.
“Everything moved fast. I don’t know. We haven’t titled what we’re doing.”
“Sweetheart, I hate to break it to you, but that guy is in love with you.”
Macie paused as she looked at her boss. She wasn’t sure if she’d heard him right. Surely, she hadn’t. “In love with me?”
“Yes.”
She shook her head. “No, you can’t be right.”
Carl chuckled. “I know the love look when I see it. I wore it myself for over half my lifetime. He looks at you the same way I looked at my late wife.” He sighed.
Macie nibbled on her lip, not entirely sure if she should trust him. Carl spent most of his time in the kitchen as far away from people as possible.
“I … er … I don’t think he’s in love with me.”
Carl sighed. “Okay, let’s break this down then. The guy enters the diner. He’s never been here before, and let’s be frank, the guy stinks of wealth. This is the last place he is meant to be. Those fancy restaurants with candles and scented crap. That is more his style, where they wouldn’t dream of serving up a burger.”
She couldn’t deny it. Wilson was the only man she knew in an expensive designer suit. He didn’t belong in the diner.
“You were here, and you served him. From that day forward, that man made every single excuse to be here. He doesn’t come to the diner for anyone else’s shift, just yours. He also made it a habit to sit as close to you as possible as you studied. You’re living with him. He’s taking care of you.”
She nodded. All of this was true.
“Why would he love me?” she asked.
“Why wouldn’t he love you?”
Macie shrugged. “I’m … nothing.”
“I wish I could meet the people who made you feel this way, Macie. I honestly do. You’re an incredible person. You’re sweet and kind. I’ve seen the way you are with the kids in this place who make a mess. I have also seen you helping out those families that struggle to pay for their meals.”