First Crush, My Forever

Chapter 4

  "Where are you taking me?" I ask Dani as we walk across the parking lot to her vehicle.

  "You will see when we get there. It's not far from the campus and their burgers are to die for. Their milkshakes are even better." Dani states as we reach her Kia Sorento SX Prestige. I stop by the driver side door and once she unlocks the suv, I open the door for her to get in. "Thank you Taytum, that was sweet."

  I jog around to the passenger side and hop in. "You're welcome, it's the least I can do since you're apparently trying to fatten me up with burgers and milkshakes."

  Dani is reaching back to sit her purse on the back floorboard then looks at me and laughs. "Please, you will burn that off in the morning on your run. Your mama has mentioned before that you can put away food and never gain any weight. I don't think you will have a problem with a burger, fries and milkshake. Trust me, once you taste this, you will want more."

  I looked at Dani with wide eyes because of the double meaning behind her statement. I know she was talking about the food but my mind automatically went somewhere else. By somewhere else, I mean to the woman currently driving not even batting an eye to how her statement could be interpreted. I bet I would want more if I could get one taste of her. Having those thick thighs around my head while I'm.... Damn, no, that's wrong. I need to think about something else because I'm getting myself all worked up. Butterflies, I will think about butterflies.

  I feel a hand on my left arm and I snap my attention to it's owner. "What is it?"

  Dani laughs, "I called your name but you were deep in thought apparently. What were you thinking about?"

  "Butterflies?" I say in a semi high pitched voice which causes Dani to laugh even more. She has such a beautiful laugh and I could listen to that beautiful sound all day long. Before I have a chance to correct my stupid sounding answer we pull into a parking lot. I raise an eyebrow in question as I glance at the sketchy looking old dinner then at back at Dani.

  "It may not look appealing from the outside but just wait until we get inside." Dani says with a smile and glint in her eyes. I quickly exit her suv and rush around to the driver side, opening the door for her. I notice a slight blush on Dani's cheeks as she says "thank you, sweetie." I just smile and nod my head once as I let her lead the way.

  I look around as soon as we step inside the diner and it's definitely different than I expected. There's black and white tile floor, silver and red booth seats with a silver table. Tons of 50s and 60s memorabilia on the walls and a working jukebox in the corner. It's clean, bright and just an awesome atmosphere.

  I hear Dani call my name and quickly turn my attention to the beautiful woman beside me. "Not what you expected?" She asks with a big smile. Before I can answer, a hostess walks up and shows us to our booth. We both thank the hostess before she says a waitress will be here in a few to take our order after we look over the menu.

  "No, it's not what I expected. This is awesome, I love the vibe here." I say as I glance around one more time before turning my attention to Dani who is already smiling at me.

  "Just wait until you try their food." Dani says as she taps the menu in front of her and I just smile at her then look over the menu.

  A blonde waitress comes to our table to take our drink and food order after we both place the menus down. I order a chocolate milkshake, double cheeseburger and Dani orders a strawberry milkshake, regular cheeseburger and a large fry for us to share.

  As we are waiting on our food and milkshakes, I take the time to look around again at all the decor and memorabilia hanging on the walls.

  As I turn my attention back to the table I realize Dani is watching me with a soft smile on her face. "What?"

  Dani shakes her head. "Nothing."

  I narrow my eyes at Dani because she is still looking at me with that smile on her face. "What? And don't say nothing, because it's obviously something."

  Dani laughs, "it's just cute watching you look around taking everything in."

  I smile and shake my head as I lean forward, resting my arms on the table as I lock eyes with Dani. "This place is great plus my present company makes it even better."

  I watch as Dani sits back, crossing her arms and playfully rolls her eyes. A light blush coats her cheeks as "thank you sweetheart" softly leaves her mouth. I smile to myself knowing that I made her blush by what I said. I wasn't saying it to try and flirt or anything, I was just being honest. I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy the effect me being honest had on her though.

  "I've been coming here for years. Even when I was in college. Sometimes I would sit in one of the corner booths for four hours or more studying or doing work and stopping just long enough to eat or just get a milkshake." I smile as I watch Dani look around while remembering her time spent in this diner. I didn't even know this place existed or I probably would have already come here especially if the food is as good as Dani says.

  Suddenly the blonde waitress appears and sits our milkshakes on the table. She quickly excuses herself to go grab our food. Dani leans forward grabbing her milkshake and quickly takes a sip. As I'm reaching for mine I hear a soft "mmm" coming from Dani and quickly look at her.

  "Do you always have that reaction to things that apparently taste good?"

  Dani smiles as she takes another sip. I watch her lick the milkshake residue from her lips as she sits back. "Well, it depends on what I'm eating."

  My eyebrows shoot up as I look at Dani while a smirk graces my lips. Before I can voice a witty response though, it's like the double meaning to her answer finally registers with her. "Oh God, no. I didn't mean it like that. That's... that's not what I meant, I meant actual food wise." I can't help but laugh at Dani's embarrassment and she quickly covers her face with both hands.

  The blonde waitress appears again, this time with our food and places it on the table in front of us. "Is there anything else I can get you guys?" She asks as she smiles at me while placing a hand on my shoulder.

  "I think we are good, thanks." I answer as my attention is fully on Dani, watching her cuteness.

  Dani uncovers her face and it is still red with embarrassment. "We're good." She states as well as she glances from the waitress to her hand on my shoulder. The waitress mumbles an "okay" then turns away, sliding her hand off my shoulder and walks back towards the counter. I grab a fry and pop one in my mouth and watch as Dani's eyes glance from me to our waitress at the counter then back to me. "She was trying to flirt with you but you paid her no mind. Why? She apparently likes you. From what your mama said the other week, you're not dating anyone." She states matter of factly.

  I shrug my shoulders before answering. "Well, for one, she's not my type. Two, that was disrespectful for her to try and flirt with me when I am literally sitting here with you. I know this is not a date or anything but she doesn't know that. It would have been one thing if I was here alone and she flirted with me. It's just disrespectful to you for her to do that not knowing what we might be to each other."

  Dani smiles and playfully rolls her eyes. "That's sweet for you to look at it like that. It definitely would have been bad if you were here on a date with someone and she proceeded to flirt. If she's not your type then what is?"

  I laugh as I pick my burger up. "What are you, my wing woman? As far as my type, well, I plead the fifth on that answer. Now let me see if you're right about these burgers." As I take a bite, Dani is just watching me, waiting for my reaction. The burger is bursting with flavor and it's so juicy. "This is so delicious." I state after swallowing my bite. Happy to have diverted her curiosity on my type of woman.

  "Told you so." Dani proudly says as she starts eating her own burger. Everything is delicious just like she said it would be. I can definitely see why she likes coming here. We talk about random things while we eat and often bump hands as we both reach for fries at the same time. I will definitely come back here again and who knows, maybe I can get Dani to accompany me. Not as a date or anything, I just genuinely enjoy her company.