Midnight Roots (Silver Creek Ranch)

Chapter Seventeen

Dillon

When I get home from the dinner shift, I fall into a deep sleep. I don't even shower. It wasn't just the rushing around with the orders. It was cleaning up between patrons, cleaning up after everyone left for the night, doing prep work for the morning, and finally closing up the diner for the evening with Cece.

It was all a lot to take in, and there were plates broken and bottles overfilled, but Cece told me it was fine, and honestly, it doesn't bother me right now. I've tried hard not to think about Heston and the fact he was missing today. It felt lonely without him in his spot, and every time someone walked in, I looked up, hoping it was him coming to see me.

Maybe I am a fool for it.

I offered to work the morning shift today with Cece even though she said I didn't have to, so I get up early when my alarm goes off, shower, and dress. I'm a lot more dejected as I walk to the diner than I was yesterday. There isn't really anything for it. I feel like Heston upped and ditched me.

I am a fool.

That's my final thought before I walk into the diner. I've been a fool, and now I just have to live with the awkwardness of having to serve him when he does show up again.

I haven't even finished that thought when the door swings open behind me, and Heston walks in.

"Hey, Dillon," he says cheerily.

"Heston," I say coolly. I look into his large eyes, and I almost melt immediately. "Where were you yesterday?"

"Had to work," he says gruffly before he walks through to the grill side of the diner.

I frown and continue prep work in the cafe side. When I walk over to the grill side, I see Cece and Heston talking quietly. I go back to the cafe side and make myself a strong cup of coffee to get ready for the morning shift. The regulars walk in, and as I'm about to start serving them, Cece comes to my side. "Why don't you go help Heston, and I'll take this?"

I can't argue with her; she's my boss. I nod and fix a smile on my face. I go over to the grill side and take out my notebook, not making eye contact with Heston. "Breakfast burger with fries and an orange juice?" I ask.

"Yeah, that'll do," he says. "Dillon, can we talk?"

"Talk about what? You were working when you promised to have lunch with me. You couldn't even bother to call and let me know. I worried about you, Heston," I say, finally looking him in the eyes. "I'm going to go put your order in."

I take the paper the few steps to where I need to hang it, and then I pour him a glass of orange juice. I set it in front of him and he grabs my hand gently. "Please, I'm sorry. I wasn't myself yesterday, and I had a ton of work."

"You still could have called," I say.

"I don't have a phone," he says finally. "I seriously am a simple man, Dillon. I come from humble beginnings, and I like to keep shit uncomplicated," he says.

"Are we complicated?" I finally ask.

"No, no, we're not complicated. I want to get to know you better and spend more time with you."

I gently pry my hand from his. The way he sounds and the desperation in his voice give me pause. I'm a bit wary of him now.

"Order up!"

I jump slightly as the cook shouts, and I get the burger and fries. I bring them back to Heston and see another couple walk in, thankfully. I go to seat them and take their drink orders as I leave them with menus.

Cece comes in. "How are you all getting along?" she asks.

"We're fine," I say. "I'm just doing drinks for the couple over there, and then I'm going to take their order."

"Heston, your food okay?" she asks.

Heston nods. "Yes, thank you."

Cece nods and leaves again. She's never checked on me like that before. I wonder if Heston is involving her in our private business because they're friends. That's not cool.

I take the drinks to the couple and take down their order before I go hang it up for the cook. I glance at Heston, who is eating quietly, but his eyes are on me. I walk back over to him. I won't lie; the sex was amazing, and I wouldn't say no to it again. God, am I desperate? I guess after all the bad luck that befell me in Austin, I just wanted something special. Something to go right. I wanted a win. When I got the job here, I thought that was the start of my luck turning around, and then Heston took me on the date, and I thought that's it. B spell over.

I look over at him, and he's still looking at me. I can't be mad at him. I can't stay mad at him. He's such a decent guy, and they're so hard to come by.

"What are you doing tonight?" I ask casually.

"Nothing. Why? Do you want to go out?" he asks, wiping his mouth on a napkin .

"Actually, I was thinking of staying in. You could come over to my apartment, and we could hang out." I give him a coy smile.

"Hang out?" he asks.

"I don't have a television. Let's just say I'm humble and simple, too."

He smiles broadly, and it melts my heart.

"I would like that a lot," he says finally. "What time?"

"About eight? Is that too late for you?"

"Not at all," he says. "I'll see you then."

He leaves some bills on the counter and gets up. "Until later."

"See you later," I say, collecting the cash. He's left me a big tip again—this man. I was furious with him earlier, even a little wary, but he makes gestures like this, and I know it's not just to me. I saw it when we went to dinner. He's generous and kind. He's definitely a catch, and I'm lucky.

Now, I need to figure out what I'm going to wear tonight. I go to find Cece.

"Hey," I say to her. "You don't need me tonight, do you?"

"No, we'll be fine," she smiles. "You and Heston having a date?"

"Yes," I say with a smile. "Though he shouldn't have involved you."

"Oh, he didn't," she says. "I involved myself 'cause I could see how upset you were, sweetie." She reaches out and strokes my cheek. "You take care now."

What a weird comment. I go back to the couple in the grill section to help them and to prep for the lunchtime rush.

When I'm done, I go home and clean the place as best as I can. There isn't a sofa, so we'll have to sit on my rickety bed, but I doubt Heston will mind. I dress in lacey underwear again and put on a bathrobe and some light makeup. I plan on wearing only that tonight.