Unofficial First Girlfriend

CHAPTER 16

The diner was closed for the day. Esther and Phoebe had to go home to their province to visit their grandmother, so they asked if they could take a few days off. That meant the diner would be closed for the next few days as well since I couldn't possibly manage everything all by myself. I wish I could, though.

I took this opportunity to finally get around to computing the income and expenses in the diner for the past two weeks. When I was done, I poured myself a cup of chamomile tea and played some jazz music on my phone. It was only a little after 11, and I had nothing else to do around the house.

I sat down on the couch and relished the moment. If I was being honest, I miss having moments like this with myself. But at the same time, I miss the chaotic day I have with my daughter.

Earlier, we had a video chat and, she showed me the cartons of chocolate milk drinks that Mama had bought for her. She was enjoying her stay with the grandparents, but she said she misses me.

My jazz music was interrupted by my annoyingly loud ringtone.

"Dammit."

I was seriously beginning to hate my ring tone. I should probably turn my phone to a silent mode more often.

I picked it up, and Sabrina's name was flashing on the screen.

"Hello," she greeted.

"What's up?"

"I'm calling to ask why the diner is closed. Aren't you home?"

I stood up and walked over to the window to take a peek, and I found Sabrina's Beetle parked right outside.

"What are you doing here?"

"So, you're home. Can I come up?"

"Sure," I replied and hung up. I hurriedly opened the door and waited for her at the balcony.

She was beaming at me as she climbed up the stairs.

"I know you own a diner, but do you want to grab some lunch?"

"Lunch sounds good."

Sabrina waited for me outside as I got ready. In no more than twenty minutes, I was already buckled up in her car, and she started driving.

"Are you both really going to show up in front of me every day and drag me somewhere?"

"What do you mean? I didn't show up yesterday. Did Nick visit you yesterday?"

Oh, he did more than visit.

"We went for a jog."

Sabrina gave me a sideways glance. "I didn't know you jog."

"I'm not gonna, any time soon. It was exhausting."

She smiled but didn't reply.

"So, you're just going to show up at random hours?" I asked.

"You don't get a lot of free time, and this is something new, right? One week alone at home. You deserve some quick getaways, even just a lunch out."

I smiled at her and whispered, "Thanks. Although you weren't really going to ask me out for some lunch."

"Yeah, but hey, I'm taking you out for lunch."

"What's going on, Sab?"

She sighed before glancing at her phone near the gear shifter. I watched as she tapped her fingers on the wheel.

"I was writing an article late last night, and my phone rang...it was Bryce."

"He called you in the middle of the night? Bryce called?" I asked, making sure I heard her right.