her. “Are you sure you don’t mind me joining you? I don’t want to interrupt any plans you might have.” His passive aggressive way of asking if there was anyone important in her life.
Amanda waved at him and laughed. “Nope. It’s just me tonight. It’s usually just me, to be honest.” She covered her mouth and coughed into her hand; her cheeks suddenly pink. “But enough about me. This isn’t a session. What about you? What brings you to Mistletoe?”
“I just got into town. I was looking for something similar to Colby but not too big. This is a beautiful town. Do you live here?” He reached up, pulling his hat off and hooking it on the hat hook to the side of the booth.
Mistletoe was gorgeous with its contagious holiday spirit hung in string lights around town, the ever-present poinsettias displayed in windows and the mistletoe garnishing everything. Even the school buses on the east side of town had been wrapped in garland made of pine boughs and holly.
Tommy had never seen anything like it. He’d never loved the holidays, but he could see why someone would like to surround themselves in the cheer of the most wonderful time of the year.
“I love living here. I just… I wish I felt like I fit in.” She laughed again, rolling her eyes. “Stop asking me questions about myself. I don’t want our dinner to turn into your job.” She leaned back as the waitress set a salad in front of her.
“Would you like to order something, sir?” The server’s nametag read Millie. She wore a holly decorated red and white apron over a red shirt and black pants.
Tommy smiled, but waved his hand at the server. “No, thanks. I’m fine.”
Amanda leaned forward, holding her own hand in the air and keeping Millie there. “Have you eaten already?”
How did Tommy reply? He hadn’t eaten since the day before. He didn’t have any extra money to pay for food. He really was just trying his best to get from day to day. The sooner he finished the job he’d been hired to do, the sooner he could save his grandmother’s ranch.
Every cent mattered. Every moment mattered.
He’d already lied to Amanda so much. By the time he parted ways from her, he would have lied enough to keep himself so far from Heaven even the devil would be ahead of him.
Tommy didn’t want to lie to her anymore. He just… He felt like at least some of the things he said to her should be the truth. He cleared his throat and glanced away. “No, I haven’t. But that’s okay. I’ll get something later.”
“No. Absolutely not. Eat with me. Their meatloaf is amazing. Is that okay?” Amanda didn’t wait for his reply. She glanced up at Millie and winked. “Can you get him the same thing as me, Millie? I’ll wait to eat the salad with him. And could you bring some extra rolls, please. You know how much I love Cook’s cinnamon butter.” The way she tilted her head and offered a lopsided grin would make it hard to say no to her, not that the server was inclined to do so.
“Of course, Amanda. You know you’re my favorite.” Millie smiled at Tommy and hustled away, barely pausing to check on tables that she passed.
A slight wave of panic washed over Tommy. He didn’t have money to pay for his meal, let alone Amanda’s. He’d have to figure something out. Tommy rubbed his damp palms down the tops of his thighs.
Amanda sipped her water and then motioned toward the returning waitress. “Millie, I forgot to ask that you put it all on my tab, please.”
Opening his mouth to object, Tommy narrowed his eyes, but Amanda cut him off. “No, I insist. It’s the least I could do, not to mention I demanded you eat with me. You could let me pay, then I won’t feel so bad for bossing you around.” She winked at Millie who laughed and set a salad plate piled high with veggies, croutons, cheese, and dressing in front of Tommy.
“I’ll do that, Amanda. Anything else before dinner comes out?” Millie folded her hands at her waist and watched Amanda as if she did this often.
“No, thank you.” Amanda’s tinkling laugh filled Tommy with warmth. How could he say no to such a charming affectation?
“Thank you. You didn’t have to pay for my meal. I’m pe…” But his words trailed off. He didn’t want to lie. “Thank you.” He