Phoenix Rising Issue #3 - S. R. Watson Page 0,25
a no shoes, no service kind of place?”
She rolls her eyes in frustration, and I have to admit I’m enjoying toying with her.
“It’s a diner on a beach. Not some fancy-schmancy place. Besides, just give them one of your smiles, and I’m pretty sure they won’t even notice our feet.”
“Why, is that what works on you? My smile.”
“I’m hungry, so if you’re done being intrigued with yourself, can we eat?”
“I am hungry too, so yes, I’ll take you up on that offer. After you,” I say after I open the door to the diner.
A woman in her early twenties shows us to a booth near the window. It’s not even eight yet, and she has more makeup than should be allowed. Her dress is super short and matches the fifties feel of this place.
“What can I start you with, sugar? Coffee? Orange juice?” she asks, smacking her gum and pulling out her order pad. She gives me a quick wink, totally ignoring Harlow.
“What would you like, babe?” Harlow’s eyebrows shoot into her hairline at the endearment.
“Um,” she says tongue-tied.
This is quite fun. I grab her hand across the table. “Do you have any tea for my girlfriend? She likes Earl Grey, if you have it,” I say to the server. “Would you like that, baby?” It’s the over-made-up server’s turn to blush. That serves her right for openly flirting with me without a care for the dynamics of the person I’m with.
“Tea is good,” Harlow manages to get out.
“We don’t have Earl Grey, but we do have English breakfast tea.”
“I’ll have that then.”
“I’ll have the same,” I add.
“I’ll get you both started with some tea, and then I’ll take your orders.” She sets two menus next to us and walks off.
I reluctantly let go of Harlow’s hand—immediately feeling bereft.
“So what was with all the babe, baby, and girlfriend stuff?” She doesn’t waste any time calling me out on my little game.
“Didn’t you notice our waitress was flirting with me?”
“How could I miss her overt flirtation? I know you’re used to it, though. I mean, you are Phoenix and all.” She cracks up at her jab.
“It was in poor taste. She had no way of knowing if you were my wife or girlfriend.” Harlow waves her left hand, wiggling her empty ring finger. “Okay, well, girlfriend. Still, not all couples wear their wedding bands.”
“True. I don’t think she gave two shits either way, though.”
We’re both laughing when she returns with our tea. Neither of us has bothered to look at the menu in her absence.
“Are you two ready to order?” All flirtation gone, so my point was made.
“I’ll have waffles and two slices of bacon,” Harlow rattles off without picking up the neglected menu.
“I’ll have two egg whites, oatmeal if you have it, and a slice of wheat toast.”
“Yes, we do have oatmeal. I’ll get your orders put in right away.”
I catch Harlow staring at me from across the table as she stirs her tea. “Didn’t take you for a tea drinker.”
“Maybe I just wanted to try something new.” I mimic her by putting just two Splendas in my tea before stirring. I take a sip. “This is actually really good.”
“You know, tea is really good for your voice. Soothing to your vocal cords,” she points out.
“Hmm. You know what else is good for the vocal cords?”
“What?” she foolishly asks.
“Pussy. Or so I hear. I don’t really eat much of it, so I’ll have to test that theory.”
A frown mars her forehead, so I know her thoughts just went to Melissa. She takes another sip of her tea.
“It was a joke, babe. Lighten up.” I realize my mistake, but the words have already slipped past my lips. There was no waitress around to put on a show for. “So how is the novel coming along?”
I’m desperate to change the subject.
“It’s coming. Didn’t know if there would be a story to tell,” she admits quietly.
“I needed to blow off some steam, but I’d never leave the band.”
“But the way you left, Phoenix,” she says, using my name. “You couldn’t be sure of that outcome. Your actions fractured the band. Well, between you and Asher. It’s put stress on the other guys to choose sides.”
“You don’t need to worry your pretty little head about it. We’ll be fine. Men aren’t as emotional as women. We fight, and then we’re over it.”
“It doesn’t look like you and Asher are over it. More like just staying out of each other’s way,” she presses. “What happened