Surviving the CEO

Chapter 4: Ryan Winters Pt. 2

**Aria's POV**

A waitress comes up to me smiling and holding a menu.

"Welcome to Kelly's Diner. How many today?" She asks.

"I'm actually looking for someone. Oh I found him. He's right over there." She escorts me over to Ryan and hands me the menu.

"Thanks." I reply smiling.

"You're welcome. I'm Laura. I'll be your server today. Now may I start you guys off with something to drink?" Laura asks taking out her notepad and a pen.

"Take a raspberry iced tea please."

"Okay. And for you sir?" She asks looking at Ryan.

"I'll take a Sprite. Please." Ryan replies coolly.

"I'll be right back with those." Laura replies smiling at both of us before walking away. I look over the menu briefly before Ryan speaks up.

"Thanks for going out with me." Ryan says while twiddling with his thumbs.

"No problem, it gets me out of my apartment." I reply chuckling. Laura comes back with our drinks and asks what we want to eat.

"Are you guys ready to order?" She asks.

"Are you?" Ryan asks me. I nod my head.

"Okay, what can I get you sir?" Laura asks kindly.

"I'll take the Chicken Alfredo please." Ryan tells Laura his order.

"That comes with a side of freshly baked bread and butter, would you like that with your meal also sir?" Laura asks.

"Yes please." Ryan smiles and hands her his menu. Laura turns to me with her radiant smile. It's not a fake smile but a real, genuine smile. Unlike other ones that look at you with disgust.

"I'll have the Grilled Chicken sandwich please."

"That comes with your choice of chips, sweet potato fries or regular fries and a pickle."

"I'll have sweet potato fries please." I hand her my menu.

I decide to go with something a little more healthy. So I don't feel as guilty later.

"Okay, I'll put those in and your meal will be out shortly." Laura says before walking off to place our order.

"So, since I barely know you except that you shop at Red Star an you're constantly running into people, why don't we play Unlimited Questions?" Ryan asks leaning over the table slightly.

"Is this like Twenty Questions?" I ask slightly amused.

"Yes. Now you ask first."

"Okay, first question. When were you born?" I ask.

"April 22nd, 1991 in Portland, Oregon. And you?" Ryan replies smoothly.

"August 11th, 1993 in Seattle, Washington. Favorite color?" I reply grinning.

"Orange. Yours?"

"Red. Favorite hobby?"

"Running. Yours?"

"Being outdoors." We did this until our food came and we still talked about ourselves through dinner.

"Tell me about your family." Ryan states before taking a bite of his pasta. I look down at my lap and twirl my fingers around my napkin.

"I'd prefer if we didn't talk about that." I whisper. I peek up through my lashes and I see Ryan staring at me with sincerity and sympathy.