Their Loving Solitude

Chapter 8 Burgers

Caleb's POV

I finally see a restaurant around this area that says open.. It's not like it's really early or anything, but most places in this area are stores or bars. And I would go to the store to get food to cook for her, but I don't want to freak her out by asking her over to my apartment again.

She has obviously been through enough and doesn't deserve that.. Besides, she seems so gentle and kind and obviously doesn't have anyone else to talk to. So I'll be that for her if she wants me to be. I would hope she does because I feel an automatic connection with her, and I don't know if that's because I'm lonely, but the spark that ignites when I talk with her is obviously there. I just don't know if she feels it, too.

"This is the first restaurant I see that says open.. have you been here? Is the food any good?" I ask her, but all I notice is that she shakes her head and chuckles at this remark. But does that mean she doesn't like it or that she doesn't want to go here.. I don't understand, so I ask. "I don't understand. Is it a bad place? I can choose somewhere else."

I don't even wait for a response before putting the car into reverse as I feel the warmth and soft skin of her hand landing on top of mine. This causes me to freeze as i glance her way. She is smiling as she states. "No, it's ok.. this is just funny to me because this is my job.. this is where I work to put me through college." My eyes go wide as I feel a little mortified.

"You work at this sports bar?" I ask again, clarifying as she smirks at me while still nodding. "I bartend and serve here.. but it's ok.. I just wasn't expecting that." She says as I shake my head and start back up further in the car to take her somewhere else.. There is no way she would want to eat the food from the place she spends most of her time at.

"I'm sorry.. That's so stupid of me. I take you to your work on a first date that is idiodic.. I mean.. It's not a date.. or anything.. I'm so sorry I'll choose something else. " I find myself stuttering through thoughts hating that I feel this comfortable to express myself already because I probably sound like an i***t to her.

Her hand squeezes mine because it's still sitting on top of it. I stop the car again, leaving my foot on the break as I look at her head that seems to be shaking. "No, I swear it's a good place to get food at a good price.. I don't mind being taken here on a first date.. it's not like you knew.. it's just funny." She says this in a sweet tone, but I happened to notice that she said first date.. I wonder if she meant that.. I would like that.. but I don't want to overwhelm her by any means.

"Ok.. so you're fine with this food and place for ..um.. a date?" I squeak out the last bit nervously as I look over to see her smiling and nodding. I pull back into the parking spot and put the car into park, noticing her hand hasn't left the top of mine. "So what's good here?" I ask, switching my hand around so it's holding hers. I can feel myself slightly shaking out of nervousness because I haven't done the dating scene in a long time and have not had any practice to know if she is even liking me at all. I just hope she can't feel the shaking.

Her other hand lays on mine, calming the shaking and confirming she does feel it. "I love the avocado bacon cheese burger.. that's my favorite.. the burgers are the best here, but don't get the chicken sandwich. It's not that good.. and if it's ok with you, I'll just stay in here because I really don't want my coworkers seeing me in this... I would never hear the end of it." she exclaims, making me feel better because she is not bringing up how nervous and scared I am about this interaction she is just helping me feel, ok.. which is what I needed.

"Alright, and I'll see you in a minute... don't leave without me." I say to her as she softly removes her hands from mine. "I promise I won't." showing me her big beautiful smile as I nod a couple of times before opening the door and getting out to head in.

I let out a deep breathe as I exit the car feeling more nervous than I ever anticipated because I never expected this to be happening when I left my apartment to go get groceries before I had to head into work.. But I like doing this and don't mind one bit skipping out on running errands to spend time with this sweet and gorgeous woman.

I walk into the restaurant and head over to the front to put in an order. "Hey.. how may I help you?" The nice girl who cashiers asks me as I state. "Two avacado bacon cheeseburgers to go, please." I state as she quickly types it in. "Just fries for the sides?" I panic because I never asked her if she wanted a side or not.

"Um.. sh*t I never asked her.. uh.. yeah, I guess so.. fries for both." I state nervously as the girl laughs at that comment before stating. "I don't know a girl who doesn't like fries.. I'm sure you'll be fine." I keep my head nodding at that comment just hoping she is right.

"First date or something?" the girl asks as I hand her my debit card. I start nodding but then shaking my head, making her look confused. "I can obviously see that you're nervous.. but that doesn't mean she won't like ya." She states so positively. "Thanks.. It was just unexpected to meet like this.. but I am a man to go with the flow.. so hopefully, this leads to good things." I reply as she smirks and nods. "I'll keep my fingers crossed."

I can hear the door opening up behind me as I do a double take seeing it's her. "Mia? what are you doing here, girl? and whoo.. looking good.. I'll have to tell the cooks about this." She exclaims to I guess Mia. "Sarah.. just pretend you didn't see me! You better not tell everyone you saw me like this." She states as the girl behind the counter laughs. "Why wouldn't I tell everyone how good you look out of your uniform?" She playfully states.

Mia's head shakes as she points at the cashier. "I just needed to use the restroom real fast, so please act like you didn't see me." She says as she touches my arm, gaining all my attention just to say. "I'm sorry I'll be out in just a minute.. don't leave without me."

"I wouldn't ever." I state, causing her smile to emerge, making mine come out as well while I watch her walk away. The girl sees this as she smirks at me. "Mia.. is a good one.. she is so sweet and will put everyone first before herself.. and one of the hardest workers I have ever met.. but you hurt her, and I'll break your legs." She spats at me as I see a man walking out from behind her.

"Sarah, you can't actually say that to a customer.. I'm so sorry, sir." He declares, sending a shocked glare at her as she plainly states back. "He is taking Mia out, and I told him if he hurts her, I'll hurt him."

The man's head nods as he agrees with her now. "Oh, in that case, I agree.. she is amazing and deserves only the best, and if you can't be that, then you need to stop this before it starts." He demands of me as I nod now, feeling really nervous at that thought.

"But you're doing great so far.. I saw her smile at you, and she loves fries, so off to a good start." I chuckle at that comment. "Ok, that's good.. I haven't done this in a while and don't want to mess up, so keep your fingers crossed for me." They both smile and nod as we hear the door opening up, and Mia comes out looking nervous and rolls her eyes when she sees the manager.

"Whoa, Mia.. looking good." She scoffs as a couple of men pop their heads out from the kitchen before whistling, making her face turn to a shade of red I have never seen on anyone. Her arms cross across her chest as she shakes her head. "Shut up, guys!" They laugh but don't stop. "Mia.. I will shut up for you, but I won't forget, and believe me, I'm telling everyone." one of the cooks states as she walks right behind me to hide herself.

Luckily I'm bigger than her and can cover her up. "We're just kidding, Mia! Are you working tonight for the UFC night?" The same cook asks as she squeaks out from behind me. "Yeah.. I'm closing."

"Good, see you then to harass you later." He states as they people disperse while the cashier from before brings a bag with two Togo boxes in it. "Here, ypu guys go.. have fun." I smile and nod at her as I grab the bag and then quickly take Mia's hand into mine. The whistles continue once the cashier sees Mia again, but this gets her practically running out of the restaurant.

We get outside and I can clearly see how red her face is now. "Hey, it's ok.. You're gorgeous.. it's not meant as an insult." I declare as she shakes her head. "I just knew that was going to happen.. and that wasn't what I wanted." I nod, realizing why she was worried about it. "Why?" I ask her as she gets nervous. "I'm not comfortable with myself at all.. and I don't like feeling vulnerable.. and that made me self-conscious and vulnerable." I nod in understand as I think for a second.

"How about we head to the park.. well.. if you don't want any more people seeing you, then that's fine.. we could just stay in my car.. or we can always go back to my place.. it's up to you." I state opening the door for her to get in. She sits down quickly as she states. "I don't want anyone else to see me like this, so let's just stay in the car.. I don't want to get looks at the park for being exposed to strangers or even kids.. and I'm sorry, but I don't feel comfortable heading to your place.. yet." I swallow the nervous lump in my throat at the word 'yet'. I nod at her as I reply. "Anything you want." I hand her the food as I slowly shut the door to make sure I don't get her caught up in it. Before circling around the car and into the driver's seat to find a place to park and eat.