FAST SLOW FOOD
by
Margaret Marr
"Why does it have to be so blasted hot?" Lucy Medford fumed as she walked down the sidewalk on her way to work. The new suit she wore was plastered to her skin, making her feel like a mummy in a fiery furnace. A slow trickle of sweat slid down her face and into her eyes, causing them to sting. She blinked and tried to wipe the sweat off without smearing her make-up. She didn't see the man coming, and they bumped into each other. Her purse was knocked out her hand, and the contents spilled all over the sidewalk.
"Great! This is all I need after the morning I've had." Lucy sank down to her knees and began to gather the tube of lipstick, a compact, a few pens and some change up off the cement. Her eyes watered from the sweat, so she grabbed a loose tissue and began to wipe her face.
"You're not crying are you?" The man knelt down beside her and placed his hand on her shoulder.
"No, but I should be after the snotty day I've had." She noticed he wore a suit coat over jeans. His tie was loosened and hung crooked. He looked equally as uncomfortable as she did.
He squeezed her shoulder. "Don't worry things are bound to get better."
"That's not helping. I don't need your words to cheer me up," she snapped. Why do men think every thing will be peachy king if they say the right words? she wondered, feeling even more irritated.
He sighed deeply and removed his hand. "Fine. What will make you feel better? What can I do? After all, I wasn't watching where I was going and made your day worse," he said.
She looked up at him, shoving her hair behind her ears. Her breath caught. This is the closes thing to George Clooney I'll ever get to, and I look a mess, she wailed to herself.
"What's wrong now?" he asked.
"Huh? Oh, nothing." She tore her eyes from his face. "You look like ... never mind," she mumbled and shook her head.
"You haven't answered my question."
"Oh, yeah. Well, what a woman wants is for a man to hold her and say nothing. Just be there for her," she answered.
"I can do that. Come here." He pulled her into his arms.
Lucy was taken by surprise for a second, but then she relaxed against his broad chest. It did feel good to be held. She could sleep in this man's arms, feeling the rise and fall of his breathing, hearing the hypnotic rhythm of his heartbeat, and the rumble of his voice. Wait a minute, she thought and chuckled."We look ridiculous sitting out on this sweltering sidewalk hugging. People are staring at us," he said.
She raised her head. "You can't do it."
"Yes, I can." He shoved her head back against his chest. A few seconds later he said, "Your hair smells good, like strawberries."
"I knew you couldn't do it." She pulled away, laughing.
"I made you smile though," he pointed out.
"Yes you did, but I need to get to work; I'm late as it is," she said, checking her watch.
"I'll walk with you." He stood and offered his hand to help her up.
"I thought you were going in the other direction?"
"I was, I am, actually I don't know which way I'm going. I just got into town, and I'm looking for C.J.'s Diner," he answered.
"You're in luck. I work there. At least for the next two weeks. Some big time jerk bought the place, and we were told we had two weeks to find another job. Why do you want to go there?"
"I ... um ... I heard it's a great place to eat." A strange look passed over his face.
"We've never had any complaints." She put her hand on his shoulder and tugged the high heel shoes off her feet. "Those things are for the dog. Good thing I didn't get that job. I don't think I could've stood these shoes." She walked the rest of the way in stocking feet.
"Would you like to come in for some lunch? It's on the house, and you'll be served by the best waitress this side of the Great Smoky Mountains," she joked.
"I have no doubt about that." He opened the door and followed her in. "What should I call this lovely waitress?" he asked.
"Lucy." She winked and shoved through a door marked employees only. She changed into her uniform and emerged back at the counter tying an apron around the simple, short, blue dress.
"That is the most delicious thing I've seen in a long time," Jeannie, Lucy's co-worker and best friend, said as she eyed the man who had came in with Lucy.
"He's new in town. I ... er ... bumped into him on the way to work. I don't think he's here for and extended stay though," she answered.
"I only want him for one or two nights." Jeannie winked.
Lucy gave her a gentle shove. "Jeannie!"
"I was only kidding, besides, he's been looking at you like you're the best tasting thing on the menu."
Lucy rolled her eyes. "I'd better go see what he wants for lunch before he thinks I've abandoned him." Lucy wound her way around the tables to the booth he'd taken in the back.
He looked up when she stopped at his table and grinned. "Ah, there you are."
He really is adorable, she thought. "What'll it be? You can have anything your heart desires."
"What if my heart's desire isn't on the menu?" His eyes rested on her lips.
She felt the temperature rise fifty degrees, and her stomach did somersaults.
He laughed, a husky, sexy sound. "What can I order besides greasy burgers and fries?"
"I made a lasagna. Salad and garlic bread would go great with that." Her hands shook. She didn't understand the affect he was having on her.
"You made it?"
"I sometimes make things that aren't on the menu. The regulars like it, and it brings in more people at night. I call it fast slow food." She laughed, nervously.
"Interesting." He seemed to be talking to himself. "I'll try it."
Lucy headed for the counter with the order, then turned around. "What's your name?" she asked.
"Jason Tyler," he answered.
Lucy noticed he didn't leave after he ate, instead he watched her as she served the local crowd most of them men who worked across the street at Maness Lumber Company.
"Hey, Lucy, when are you going to make some lucky guy happy and settle down?" one of the older men asked.
"Well, Boyd, all of you handsome guys are already taken. What's a girl to do?" She winked and smiled.
"You're good for this old man's ego." He slapped her on the bottom, causing the group to erupt in laughter.
She glanced Jason's way.
He raised an eyebrow.
She shrugged. After all, the men meant no harm, and none of them went beyond flirting. They were just a bunch of good 'ol boys that appreciated a pretty female when they saw one.
A couple of men in ratty clothing stepped in, holding their hats in their hands. They looked Jason's way, suddenly becoming nervous.
"Who's that man?" one of them asked. "He's not the new boss is he?" News had already gotten out about the restaurant being bought.
"No. He's just passing through." As she led them to a table, she wondered if the new boss would let those who couldn't pay have a free meal? Probably not. Whoever the idiot is, he's ruining other people's life's too, not just mine, she thought.
She placed a plate of lasagna in front of them with a basket of garlic bread. "You guys enjoy, okay?" She turned to walk away when one of them grabbed her hand and held it.
"Lucy, we sure do thank you for what you do for us. Not many people have a heart like yours."
"You"re welcome, guys." She squeezed his hand and reached over and patted the other on his back. She saw the tears in their eyes, and she blinked back some of her own.
The day wore on until, finally, it was time to close. Lucy flipped the sign, on the door, over to closed. She jumped at the sound of Jason's voice. The last time she'd seen him, he had been peeking in the kitchen.
"That was a nice thing you did for those guys at lunch."
"They always leave me a tip even if it's just a penny. I don't know what they'll do when I'm gone." She shouldered her purse and hollered, "Vic, I"m out of here. Jeannie's done gone."
"Okay. I'll close up," came the muffled reply from the kitchen.
"Do you need a ride?" Jason asked. "My car's not too far from here."
"No, I can walk. I live just down the street," she answered.
"Walk? At this hour? Are you crazy?"
Lucy laughed. "In case you haven"t noticed, you're out in the middle of nowhere. The only time people lock their doors is when the news tells of an escaped convict in the area, and that only happens once or twice every ten years. I'll be okay," she reassured him.
He didn't look convinced. "I'll walk with you."
"Suit yourself." She liked his concern for her. It made her feel all warm and happy inside.
The moon played hide and seek with the few scattered clouds as they walked in silence. Lucy felt her insides turn to mush when he put his hand on the small of her back. What was it about this man that made her heart and stomach do flip flops whenever he was near?
"So, what are you in town for?" she asked.
He took a long time answering. "There's something I need to tell you, but not tonight. I'm enjoying your company too much."
She stopped in front of her apartment building and looked at him, puzzled.
He leaned down and captured her lips in a kiss. "I've wanted to do that all afternoon," he whispered, then kissed her again slow and soft, taking his time.
Lucy pulled away, her heart hammering out of control. She clutched the front of his shirt, trying to control her breathing. "You have to go because if you kiss me again I'll invite you in, and then I'll do something rash, and I'm not that kind of girl." She stood on tip toes and kissed him, then pushed him away. "Go!"
She slammed the door behind her and raced up the steps to her apartment. Once inside she sagged against the door. "Oh, man, what am I doing?" she asked herself. "I just met the man, for heaven's sake, and I'm falling for him."
The next morning the sun blinded her through the window. She groaned and rolled over, covering her face with the pillow she'd cuddled all night. She'd never been this crazy about a man in her life.
With no job interviews lined up or any other prospects, she decided to go down to the diner early. As soon as she walked in, Jeannie grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the bulletin board.
"We're not fired," Jeannie said.
"What do you mean?" Lucy pulled the note off the board and read it.
"The new boss wants to see you in the office as soon as you get here," Jeannie said.
"Why?" What was going on here? she wondered.
Jeannie shrugged. A sly smile played across her lips as she went to pour coffee for the customers.
Lucy took a deep breath and knocked on the office door. Butterflies brushed at her stomach, making her feel nauseous.
"Come in."
She opened the door and her mouth dropped open. "You!"
"I can explain, Lucy," Jason said.
"You let me believe you were some stranger passing through. Why didn't you tell me? And I let you kiss me. I kissed you. I can't believe I did that. You jerk!"
"That's the second time you've called me that. I gave everybody their jobs back." He stood and came around and leaned against the corner of his desk. "I think this town will be better off if this restaurant remains here."
"You can keep my job."
"The customers like you a lot ... so do I. Please stay."
Lucy sighed and tried not to look at him. If she did she'd melt.
"I think we can expand on your fast slow food also." he walked over to her. "Come here." He pulled her into his arms.
She relaxed against him. His arms felt so good.
"What would you say if I invited you out to dinner?" he asked.
"What would you say if I invited you into my apartment afterward?" she whispered.
"I'd refuse."
Lucy frowned.
"Because you're not that kind of girl, and I like it your not that kind of girl. Though I wouldn't mind cuddling up on the couch ever once in a while to watch a romantic comedy with you," he said.
She laughed and looked up at him. "Romantic comedy?"
"Yeah."
This was her kind of guy. She rested her head on his shoulder, and he held her for a long while without saying a word.