Sofia smiled. “I don’t. Tonight I’m a patron, just like you. Have you eaten yet?”
Dylan replied, “I’m sure I can handle another helping.”
She laughed. “No one leaves without at least two if my mother can help it.” She got up and he grabbed hold of her hand.
“Leaving me already?” Dylan asked.
“I was going to get us something to eat.”
Dylan waved his free hand and Emily came rushing over. “Hi. I think we’re ready to order.”
Sofia felt so funny sitting back down and giving her order to another waitress. If her mother saw this she’d flip out. Emily had her pad out and pen in hand, as though this were an everyday occurrence. She still didn’t know why Emily had even called her.
When she left to hand in their order, Sofia got up and said, “The bar is closed, but since I know the owner, I think they won’t mind if I grab us each a beer.”
“Sounds good.”
Sofia motioned for Emily to come nearby so they could speak. “Emily what is going on here?”
“Duh. Open your eyes.”
“They are, but only because you called me. I thought there was something wrong.”
“Did I say there was?” Emily asked.
“No, but you never call me in unless there is an issue.” Usually to cover a shift.
“Well when someone that looks like he does comes in and asks me for your number, I figured that was a good enough reason to drag you back here.”
“He asked you for my number?” She had no idea why.
“No. I heard him ask your mother. I thought for sure she was going to chew him out. Instead she ignored it and brought him food.”
That was even more puzzling. “Did you hear anything else, like why he wanted my number?”
Emily chuckled. “Since he’s sitting right there all alone and waiting for you, why don’t you ask him yourself?”
“I think you have been working for my mother too long.”
“Oh no. I was this way long before I met her. Just ask my husband.” Emily laughed. Before she walked away she added, “Why don’t you get back to that cutie over there before he thinks you don’t like him.”
Sofia would expect this type of behavior from Charlene, not a coworker. Of course, they were all like family at Mama’s Place, but she’d prefer everyone butting out of business. They weren’t thinking correctly. That guy wasn’t just a patron, he was Dylan Lawson. People like him aren’t interested in people like her. That did leave the question as to why he wanted her number. With beers in hand she returned to the table. Not because he was a cutie, and he most definitely was, but because she had some questions for him.
Handing him his beer, she sat back down. “I was just talking to Emily and she informed me you wanted my number. I guess this wasn’t just some chance meeting.”
Dylan shook his head. “Not quite. I wanted to speak to you.”
“Here I am.”
“I received a call from A Fresh Day yesterday to thank me for a donation.”
She smiled just hearing the name. “It’s a wonderful place. I’ve been there.”
“So I’ve heard. Patty couldn’t stop raving about you.”
“Me?” She was confused. Sofia had only given her first name, nothing more. How was it that Dylan knew she’d been there? Then panic hit her. She didn’t want anyone to know. How was she going to explain being in the city when she said she was going home? In a softer voice she said, “I hate to ask, but can we change the subject?”
Dylan eyed her but nodded. “Patty called my personal cell phone.”