Chapter 5
Under different circumstances—namely the company—Lauren might’ve enjoyed her meal at this bizarre diner in the middle of nowhere. Christmas lights in the shape of cacti were strung up around the window that led to the kitchen, and there were actual socks hung from the counter in front of it, each with a name like “Ned,” “Charlene,” “Big Mom’s Momma,” Sharpie’d on the fronts of them. Make-shift stockings, of course. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” rung out on the speakers overhead, but a cover of it played by what sounded like a Mariachi band.
Lauren preferred this version to the original, and she had to admit, the burger was pretty darn good.
But the man-child sitting across from her—and the ridiculously flirty waitress—were enough to ruin the whole experience.
Melinda came back with the drinks and eventually their food. She brightened when Will, ever the flirt, ooh’d and ahh’d at his French toast.
“Melinda, you’re the best!” He brandished his fork.
She threw a smile at him, barely glanced at Lauren, then disappeared behind the counter.
Will seemed oblivious to the fact that Lauren was almost completely invisible to this woman. In fact, as predicted, he seemed to revel in the attention. Will was the kind of guy that couldn’t help but make himself known, at least to women. He relished in the fact that they were drawn to him.
As she ate, （good lord, her food was shockingly good） she watched Will. She couldn’t believe Spencer had suggested she might actually be friends with the guy. As if Will were capable of being ‘just friends’ with anyone of the opposite sex.
Though, let’s be honest, if there were a woman he could be strictly platonic with, it would most likely be me.
“What if you and I were a couple?” She asked after Melinda was out of earshot. Even suggesting it made her feel exposed.
Will grinned. “Are you asking me out?”
Lauren’s face heated. “I’m talking about that woman. Our waitress.”
“Melinda?”
She rolled her eyes. “Yes, Melinda. She has no idea what our relationship is, and she’s been flirting with you since we walked in.” Was it that obvious there was no way the two of them were a couple?
He stuffed a giant bite of French toast into his mouth. “Are you jealous?”
Before she could even fully register his food-muffled words, he’d shoveled in yet another bite before the first one was even chewed.
“Hardly.”
Liar.
“C’mon.” He opened his mouth to show off the half-chewed food. “I’m a catch.”
She had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from smiling.
Darn him.
The truth was she was a little jealous that women like Melinda had such an easy time talking to men. Even men who looked like Will. Why wasn’t Melinda nervous around him? Why didn’t she worry about what he would think of her? She supposed it was easy when you looked like a Barbie doll.
By contrast, Lauren looked like Barbie’s librarian.
“I’m sure she’d be happy to flirt with you too if you’re feeling left out.” The corners of his mouth turned down like he was talking to a puppy.
She considered flicking a French fry at him, but instead shot an “oh, please,” look, then went back to her plate and her phone. No sense trying to make conversation with Will—she didn’t have big enough boobs for him to pay attention to anyway. If this were an episode of Bridgerton, he’d be the “rake.”
How many years had she watched him flirt with every girl who gave him a second look? How many times did she notice a group of girls huddle up and whisper while keeping their eyes on him? How many times did he talk to those girls one-on-one, like they were the only one in the room? He did this with every girl. Every girl, that is, except her. Mostly, she was as invisible to him as she was to their waitress.
No, not invisible. Just not worth his time.
“It bothers you.” He set down his fork.
“No, it doesn’t,” she lied. “You’re just proving my point.”
“Your point?”
“That you’re predictable. A cliché. You haven’t changed a bit since the last time I saw you.”
For a split-second, it almost looked like her words affected him—and not in a good way.
Will narrowed his eyes, and it turned her insides upside-down. “Explain, please.”
But she was still hung up on his eyes. Why did they have to be such a bright blue? They looked photoshopped. And why did they have to be on that face?