Finding Home at Randy’s (Diner Days)

Chapter 3

W atching Graeme walk away makes me sigh, but the sight of his ass in those worn jeans is worth it. I’m disappointed that we couldn’t catch up more, but he’s right, I am freaking exhausted.

I ended up working more shifts at the hospital than I was originally scheduled for this week, and while I’d like nothing more than to be facedown in bed right now, the soreness in my muscles from when I woke up earlier told me I had already slept too much.

I could have ordered food to be delivered, but getting out of my apartment sounded good at the time. Sidling up to the counter, I grab a menu to peruse—as if I don’t have it memorized already.

“What can I do for you, sweetcheeks?” Henry asks as he twirls behind the counter.

I smile and roll my eyes at his antics. “I’m thinking the usual, but to go, please. And a chef’s salad on the side.”

“Aww, you don’t wanna stay and play with us?” He bats his eyelashes at me.

“Not today. I’m exhausted. I’ve worked…way too many hours over the last few days.”

“Poor baby. I’ll tell them to put their back into it and get your food out in a jiffy.”

“Thanks, Henry.” I pay for my meal and then sit on one of the barstools.

This time of day, there’s not much happening. Myles is happily squirreled away in the writer’s corner, and while I normally don’t mind sitting there for the relative quiet, without Graeme to bug, it’s not half as fun, though Myles is good company, when I’m not tired off my ass.

As I peruse the diner, I see Ivy sitting with someone I don’t know. Being me—far more extroverted for my own good sometimes—I slide off my stool and make my way over to them.

“Hey, stranger!” I say as I sidle up to their table.

Ivy slides out of the booth to hug me. “I haven’t seen you in forever!”

“You’re the one who up and left us, sweetie. I’ve always been here.”

She laughs and shrugs. “What can I say, I wanted to work twelve plus hours from a chair rather than on my feet.”

“Don’t blame you, because I do work on my feet all day, and lemme tell you, it's not for the faint of heart.”

“Speaking of my job, let me introduce you to my co-worker, Luka.” She gestures to the person who’s been trying to pretend like they’re not listening in on our conversation. “He just started at the dispatch center.”

“So you forced him to be your friend?” I tease.

Ivy smacks me and laughs. “Pretty much.”

Reaching my hand out, I shake Luka’s, noting how soft and smooth his skin is, and how warm his hand feels in mine. “I’m Denver, it’s nice to meet you.”

“You, too.”

“I hope Ivy here isn’t driving you too crazy.”

She gasps, mock offended. “I am an angel!”

“Sure you are,” I deadpan.

Luka gives a slight chuckle and shakes his head. “Ivy’s great. I’m new in town, and don’t really know many people aside from my roommate, so I appreciated when Ivy offered to bring me here.”

“Denver knows everyone,” Ivy says. “I think they know more of the regulars and semi-regulars than even I do. So, if you have any questions, they should be your go-to person.”

“Geez, thanks for putting me on the spot like that,” I tease.

Ivy rolls her eyes, but Luka flushes. He looks away and starts fidgeting with a napkin.

“Hey.” I wait until I have his attention again before smiling gently. “It’s okay. I was only teasing. I do know a lot of people. You’ll see a lot of different groups or ‘scenes’ here, like the club goers, or the writers over there.” I nod my head in the direction of the writer’s corner. “But I don’t really fit in any one place. So, if you want to get an in, like if you’re into D&D or something like that, I know people and can help make introductions, that sort of thing. Don’t hesitate to ask, okay? Or just show up one day. People post a list of where they’ll be and when over on the corkboard. And everyone is really nice, they don’t mind newbies.”

Luka's smile is a small, gentle thing, though his cheeks are still a little pink with what I assume is embarrassment. “Thanks for the tips.”

I wink at him. “Anytime. Ivy has my number, if you ever want someone to show you around town, not just the diner. Or just come up to me if you see me around. I like people.”

“Maybe I will,” he says softly, hesitantly. There's a pink hue to his face still that tells me he probably won't. No matter, I don't have a problem making friends, if he's too adorably shy to put himself out there. Unless he tells me no, of course. I won't push, but something tells me that Luka could use a friend, and if he's going to start hanging around Randy's, I'd like to think I'm one of the best people he could put his trust in.

Most people would call that conceited, I just call it facts. Peopling is my happy place.