Rrinkers

Chapter 40

"Honestly, Lucas, this looks amazing."

"You look amazing."

Zoe laughed out loud. "Stop it. Let's eat."

Lucas pulled out a chair for her, while she sat down slowly allowing him to push the chair slowly back in. Then he took his seat across from her.

Looking at her, Lucas saw the wind blowing her hair out of her face. I love her face. He thought to himself.

"Let's see what we have here."

"You're gonna love it."

Zoe lifted the lid off the food. "No way! How did you know I like Italian food."

"Because you told me."

"This is probably one of my favorite foods."

As she grabbed her fork to dig into the shrimp scampi, he chuckled and grabbed the expensive wine bottle, twisted it, and poured a small amount of wine in each of their glasses.

"Cheers," he grabbed the glass, causing Zoe to grab hers and cling it to his.

"This is amazing." You're amazing. Is what she wanted to say, but she didn't want to be too extra. She didn't want to scare him away.

"I'm glad you like it." They were both devouring their food at this point.

"Tell me Zoe, what made you want to open a coffee shop?"

She put down the wine glass that she was drinking from and swallowed her food. "Well...that is a good question. It was always something I wanted to do. My mom used to run it while she was still here so it just seemed natural to take over."

Zoe didn't want to explain what she meant by her mother still being here. It's not a story that she told most people; only the ones she was super close with. Lucas, on the other hand, knew exactly why her mother was not here, but he decided not to say anything. He would be there to listen when she was ready to share but he would never make her share.

"But why the name Rrinkers? What does that even mean?"

"Okay..." she laughed. "So many people ask me this but you're the first one I'm going to give the answer to. Don't tell anyone!"

"Ok I promise I won't."

"Alright, so the name Rrinkers means readers and drinkers. It's a mix of the two names. That's why there's a small library in the shop so that people can read while drinking their coffee."

Lucas gapped his mouth. "That's so smart."

"Not really."

"Just accept it, Zoe. You're smart."

"Ok thanks? I guess."

He chuckled at her funny attitude.

"You're funny."

"Oh my God," she said in a silly girl voice while twirling her hair. "I'm smart and funny?"

Lucas chuckled but made a serious face really fast. He didn't want to show too many loosey goosey emotions. He wanted to get a little serious.

"Do you want to walk to the rail?"

"Yes." By this time, they had both finished their food and their wine, which is why Zoe was starting to act a little loose. She didn't like how a small amount of wine affected her so greatly. It was also dark now. They could see the stars a lot better. And oh did they look breathtaking.

Lucas felt nervous again. He didn't like feeling nervous around her but he did right now. Maybe it's the fact that he knew he would be hurt if she rejected him, whereas with other girls, he was always the one doing the rejecting.