Inning of Love (Complete and being edited)

Scarlett.

"What do you have for me today Jerry?" I ask, setting down his second cup of hot tea on the coffee bar.

I lean over the counter so I can get a better look at the crossword puzzle he is working on. He has been bringing in the weekly newspaper the last month and I have grown quite fond of his excitement he gets when solving these puzzles with me. Old man Jerry looks up from his newspaper to look at me with a smirk, and then looks back to the paper.

"Funny you ask, because there is a perfect one just for you, young lady." He says, setting down the paper.

He grabs two sugar packets and points at the question before ripping open the sugar and dumping it in his tea. I reach out for the paper, rotating it to get a better look.

"The number of players on the softball field?" I read the question out loud and smiled. "Easy." I grab my pen from my apron and fill in the blank squares for the answer.

I rotate the paper back around so that Jerry can examine my answer. Setting his cup of tea down, he lets out a small chuckle. "Nine eh? See, I knew that would be a good one for you. I sure did not know that one." I laugh with him and then step away to check on my other customers.

Once all my tables were clear, I went in the back to grab the bucket of hot water and a rag to wipe down the tables when my phone vibrated in my back pocket. I use the back of my hand to wipe across my damp forehead before reaching for my phone.

Hey girl! We still on for tonight? -Nina

Absolutely! I will drive over once I am done closing up the diner!

Okay see you soon! Don't let pretty boy make you stay longer. It is girl's night. Muahaha. -Nina

I laugh at the last bit of Nina's text before putting my phone back so I can hurry up and finishing closing.

"Welp, we all are done. What do you say, want me to make us some milkshakes and we go hang out for a bit?" Dean asks, putting away the cleaning supplies.

"Sorry, I can't. I promised Nina I would be hanging out with her tonight. And besides, I fell asleep at your house last week on a school night. My brother was not too happy about that one." I giggle.

Dean puts his arms in the air as if to surrender. "I swear that was an accident. You just looked so damn comfy that night that it made me sleep and well, you know the rest. But, I did get you to school on time." He points out.

I shake my head and laugh. I grab my stuff and get ready to exit when I hear Dean dramatically exhale. I turn around and see that he has his back against the counter, his arms crossed over his chest, and his bottom lip folded outwards. He is pouting.

"P-p-pleeeasseeee don't do this to me." He says in a cute childish voice, mimicking the boy's quote from the movie Big Daddy.

I can't help but laugh and bring my head back, gliding my palms over my face. "Do not pout. It isn't cute." I lie.

He pouts more, with a little bit of his side smile etching at the corner of his mouth. He knows what he is doing. "You like it, don't lie."

Before I give in, I walk away towards the exit laughing and yelling out goodnight.

"Hey you girls want pizza....oh god. It freaking stinks in here." Jake says, as he swings open the door to Nina's room, pinching his nose to stop himself from inhaling the strong odor of nail polish and remover.