“I’ll be sure not to over-order,” she murmurs while tugging me across the parking lot to the diner. “Come on, this place must be amazing. Besides, I’m starving.”
“Alright, I’m coming, I’m coming!” I chuckle.
When the two of us step inside of Louie’s, Cleo lets out an approving sigh because they’ve done up the space to look like a retro diner. The booths are red vinyl when plenty of chrome, and the floor is an old-fashioned black and white check. Plus, the walls are chock full of photos in frames, as well as newspaper clippings proclaiming things like Babe Ruth’s latest achievement at the mound. There’s even a vintage jukebox in the back which is currently churning out oldies.
I guide Cleo over to a table toward the back (Louie’s is the type of place where there’s no hostess stand) and we seat ourselves in a booth that’s big enough to be a spaceship. I immediately push a menu over to my girl, even as her eyes go wide at the fine print.
“I told you there were plenty of options,” I chuckle as she gasps.
“Yeah, but this is overwhelming. I don’t even know how I’ll be able to pick something,” she muses, still staring at the dizzying array of choices.
“I could pick for you, if you want,” I smile. “I think I know what you’d like.”
Cleo hesitates for a moment but then smiles blissfully.
“That would be nice,” she breathes. “Thank you, Brody.”
“You’re welcome,” I growl, reveling in this small shift in our relationship. It’s not that I insist on ordering for the women in my life, it’s that I genuinely believe that I know what they’ll enjoy, and that includes Cleo. She’s sweet and salty simultaneously, and I should choose something that suits her palate.
In the meantime, I take a few moments to stare at the pretty brunette surreptitiously. She looks so sexy tonight, dressed in a tight top and a pair of snug jeans. Her makeup is simple, and her hair bounces against her cheeks. God, I can’t wait to get her back to my hotel room.
When the waitress comes over to take our orders, I order a couple of mains, including a Reuben sandwich, a tuna melt, steak and eggs, as well as hash browns, curly fries, and a side salad. Cleo looks at me with surprise and I wink.
“I had a hard time deciding, so I got everything that looked good. Besides, tonight’s a special occasion, so we might as well go crazy. We’re together, honey, so what could be better?”
“I like the way you think,” she giggles. “But yes, thanks for taking me out, Brody. I really needed the escape from school.
“It’s no problem,” I growl. “I have to admit, I missed you, baby, and apparently, you’re really good for business.”
“What do you mean?” Cleo tilts her head, staring at me with a curious look on her pretty features. I chuckle.
“Well, all the payments from Christmas finally cleared, and I did really well as Santa this year. It’s all because of a very pretty elf I had helping me.”
Cleo giggles.
“No, it’s not that at all. It’s because you’re an amazing photographer with an eye for detail. You know I was more than happy to assist, Brody, and it was a lot of fun too,” she teases.
“We’ll do it again next year, right?” I wink.
She giggles again
“Absolutely.”
But then, I decide to get serious. I take her small palm in mine across the table and squeeze.
“So how are things otherwise, sweetheart? Are your suitemates still stealing from you? Or have things simmered down?”
Cleo bites her lip, looking down.
“Actually it’s only gotten worse,” she finally admits. “They’re getting bolder and braver. It’s like those rats who come out looking for food. Every time they snag something, it only emboldens them to take more.”
I lift my eyebrows.
“So Morgan and Katrina are rats now?”
Cleo nods, not at all apologetic.
“Well yes, because they have scrabbling feet and whip-like tails. But it’s kind of serious, actually. A problem set for one of my classes was stolen right from my backpack. I know it was them because honestly, there’s no one else who’d even care.”