Shane

Having grown up in this town, I’ve always appreciated Rosie’s Diner as the iconic treasure of Ruby Creek. With its modern take on the Golden Age of the 1950s, walking through the door is like entering a time warp back to that nostalgic period where stability and hope for a brighter future ruled. Between the black-and-white checkerboard tile, bright red chairs around white tables, and the authentic 1950s paraphernalia—including an old-style jukebox—being here is an escape from the complexities of the modern world.

People come from miles away to see this place, descending upon our little town year after year, just to get lost in the ambiance. Though I could always appreciate the appeal, I never truly understood it until now.

Wow!

It’s the one word that comes to mind when she turns the corner, completely stealing my breath. While I’ve seen her in her uniform many times before, this is the image I’ll forever hold on to and recall for the rest of my days.

She stands before me like a dream in her vintage 1950s waitressing uniform. The red-and-white pinstripe dress flares below her waist, stopping just around mid-thigh, perfectly spotlighting those sexy legs I’d give anything to have wrapped around me. The way the white apron accentuates her thin waist, highlighting the shapely flare of her hips, forces me to bite back a groan. Her silky brown hair is tied back away from her face, accentuating those big hazel eyes that peer at me with a mix of conflicting emotions. The sight snaps me out of my lust-induced haze and tugs me back into the present with the force of an invisible rope.

Stepping towards her, I’m filled with ambivalence. I can see she’s overwhelmed and needs my help to get through this next part, but she’s so darn skittish I’m afraid any move I make might scare her. Before I can overthink it, I reach for her hand. The feel of her soft skin against mine, as her fingers instinctively wrap around mine like we’ve done it a million times in a past life, feels like coming home. It’s a sensation that’s seconded by the sudden spark of need that zaps through every part of my body, demanding I take her into my arms and breathe her in.

If I was unsure of what Becca was to me before, I know with absolute certainty what she is to me now. She’s my fate. My soul mate. The woman who was put on this earth for me to care for, to love, to build a life with.

Down to the marrow of my bone, I know she’s meant to be mine.

To my relief, she doesn’t pull away, not even as I tug her to follow me to the back of the room where her study table awaits. Though she’s allowing my touch, the look on her face is one of uncertainty, her brows drawn down in a considerable frown, especially when she notices the laptop sitting there waiting for her.

“It’s a loan,” I rush to explain, hoping to silence the objection on the tip of her tongue. “It will cut back on how long it takes for you to finish since you won’t need to handwrite it and then take it to the library to type it up.”

“A loan,” she repeats like she’s in a daze, though I can see her mind racing like she’s trying to ascertain my motives.

“Yes. It’s an old computer. An extra. I got a new one for my birthday, so I kept this one around as a spare.” Not entirely the truth, but I don’t feel an ounce of guilt since I’m right. Typing the first draft will save her a ton of time, guaranteeing she’ll make the deadline. After how she reacted yesterday when I offered to help her financially, I knew there was no way she would accept a new computer from me. So instead, I went out last night and bought myself a new one, figuring I’d give her this one.

“Please don’t overthink this, pretty girl. I’m lending it to you so you can finish your project. I promised I’d help you get it done, and this is a small part of my contribution toward that promise. When you’re finished with it, it’s as simple as giving it back.”

“I don’t understand. Why are you doing this?”

“This again?” This time I don’t hold back my groan. Doesn’t she get it by now? “I told you I’m invested. I care about you, Becca, and I want nothing more than to see you succeed. Unlike that idiot, Mr. Blair, I have complete faith that you can do this. I only want a front-row seat, a chance to stand at your side as you prove to him what I already know. There’s nothing you can’t do, pretty girl.”

Like clockwork, that adorable nervous tick of hers flares to life. Looking away, she tucks a non-existent lock of hair behind her ear. It makes me smile, something she must catch in the periphery of her sightline, given the pink that flares over her cheeks. It’s such a goddamned turn-on. She’s a mix of contradictions—strong and assertive on one hand, uncertain and innocent on the other. She’s like this complex puzzle waiting to be pieced together and I’m the sucker chomping at the bit for the honor of doing just that, if only to better understand who she is. What she wants out of life. How I can grow and evolve to become the man she needs.

“Now come. You’ve got a project to finish, and I have tables to serve. Plus, Mr. Souder promised me a big tip if I can sneak in some onion rings under his curly fries. Apparently, it’s a line Uncle Andrew refuses to cross. I’m thinking I can convince him, if only this one time.” I wink at her, and as expected, her cheeks darken into a deeper shade of red.

When she scoots into the booth, I slide in right next to her, close enough I can feel the heat of her bare leg under the fabric of my slacks. This close, her fresh fruity scent is overwhelming and I’m overcome by the sudden urge to bury my face in the crook of her neck. I wonder if she tastes just as sweet, just as decadent as the finest dessert. God, I so badly want to taste her. And I will. Sometime in the near future, I will convince this girl we’re meant to be. But until then, school. Helping her with her classes—that’s my in.

Opening up the laptop, I click on the setup screen. “Here, I wiped the hard drive, so it’s like new and ready for you to use. Go ahead and set up a password.” I slide it over to her, barely able to contain my smirk. Having her take ownership this way is all part of my master plan. With luck, she’ll use it without guilt, and encouraging her to personalize it will go a long way toward making it feel like it belongs to her.

“Is this really necessary? I mean, since it’s a loan, wouldn’t it make more sense for you to set up the password and just tell me what it is?”

“Nope.” I chuckle at her attempt to get out of this. “Though I’m loaning it to you, the work you do is personal. For your eyes only. At least until you’re ready to present it. Therefore, you need a strong password to protect your work. So get to typing, pretty girl. The sooner you do, the sooner we can both get back to our respective duties.”

It takes her a second, but when she finally relents, I breathe a sigh of relief. Everything’s going to plan, and to my shock, she’s not fighting me. That’s the sweetest part of all of this. I asked her to trust me, and so far, it looks like that’s exactly what she’s doing. When she’s finished, she slides the computer back to me, and after completing the final few steps of the setup, I slide it right back in front of her.

“There. It’s all yours for as long as you need it.” Sensing her objection, I slide out of the booth before she can voice it. “Now, is there anything else I can get you? A drink? An order of fries? Maybe a milkshake?” I give her my most charming smile and close it out with a wink. As I expected, my efforts are rewarded when her cheeks flare into that lovely shade of pink I’m fast growing addicted to.

“You don’t have to do all this, Shane. Lending me a computer, working my shift only to give me the money you earned—it’s too much.” She shakes her head like she can’t believe what I’m doing. If only she knew the lengths I’m prepared to go to keep her, she’d probably run out of here screaming.

“I disagree. As your peer advisor, it’s my job to help wherever I can. Whether it’s acting as your accountability partner, a study buddy, or lending you a helping hand so you can focus on what needs to get done. It’s what I’m here for. Plus, I promised you that if you put your complete trust and faith in me, I’d guarantee you an A on that presentation. And as a bonus, maybe then you’ll finally see what an amazing and reliable friend I can be.”

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Author’s Note:

Shane is so darn adorable! He is head over heels in love with Becca.

I'd love to hear what you think of Shane and what he's doing for Becca. Comment along as you read and let me know what you think. 

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