"Thanks for your prayers guys"- says Jordan. 

"The Lord is good!"- I shout and kiss his forehead. 

"My son! You are blessed!"

 "Thank you, people, you're so nice"

"We love you Jordan"- says Justin.

"I know, but I don't remember any of you"

 "You will, don't doubt it"- I say while stroking his arm.

"Goodbye everyone, blessings for all of you"- says Justin's friend, I wonder if he knows Jordan. 

"Bye Lina, bye Mrs. Brown"

 "Bye and thanks for praying with us"- replies my mother-in-law.

Suddenly I hear a cell phone ring, I check my phone. -"We have the same ringtone!"- she ignores me and answers the call. 

"Grace! How's everything going? How's Tiffany?"- she kisses Jordan's cheeks and leaves the room.

"Hey"- I turn around. -"I think you are cute"- I feel my face getting hot. 

"Thank you"

"Someday I'll take you out"

 "I'll be waiting"- we both laugh. I missed this.

"What's that sound?"- he asks. 

"I think I'm hungry"

 "Go eat something. See you tomorrow?"

 "See you tomorrow"- I peck his head and leave.

"It's 4:53! Now I know why I'm starving"- I eagerly start the engine and look for a restaurant nearby.

"What would you like to order?"

 "A Meatball sandwich, mozzarella sticks, a small portion of salad, and a glass of water please"- the waitress raises her eyebrows and writes down my order. I know she's impressed because I'll eat all those things on my own, but I don't care, the only thing I can think about is food.

After several minutes the waitress gives me the glass of water and the mozzarella sticks. Thank Goodness this restaurant is fast! -"Mmmm this tastes like heaven"- there's not a bite that has no melted mozzarella, and the sticks are so good they don't need sauce.

"What's taking them so long"- I say to myself. -"I thought this was a fast restaurant!"- I sadly see my empty plate, then turn around and see more customers than before, the eatery is almost full.

I see couples, families, teenagers, friends, and old people talking. I guess I'm the only one that's eating alone. Even so, I use my phone to feel less lonely, I want to leave as soon as possible. I've always hated eating alone in public places.

Suddenly I see a young woman sitting alone. I sigh, I'm glad I'm not the only one.

"An Italian sandwich and mozzarella sticks"

 "No, I ordered a Meatball sandwich and a small salad"

 "Sorry, madam"- seriously? I've waited 30 minutes for this! I look at the lonely woman for several minutes, she's playing with her phone, and I wonder which game she's playing.

"A Meatball sandwich and a small salad?"

 "Yes, thank you!"

 "Would you like a salad dressing?"

"No thanks, I'm good"- I enjoy every bite of food, I deserve this.

"Good evening honey. I couldn't make it because my boss put me some extra work"- he pecks her cheek and sits down beside her. 

"Great! I'm the lonely woman now"- I try to concentrate on my food. Whenever I see them they get more romantic.

I look for lonely people but get distracted by a couple kissing passionately outside the restaurant. Her legs are wrapped around his waist while he's holding her tightly. I feel envy.

Suddenly the guy puts her on the floor and kisses her neck while she moves her hands under his T-shirt. I take a glimpse of his abs. -"So sexy. Calm down, Lina! They must be drunk"- I stop looking at them and finish my salad.

"Li-Lina Días?"- short messy blonde hair, dark blue eyes, white skin, tall, and slim body.

"Josh Smith?"

"Yes, it's been a long time. How are you doing?"- I feel my cheeks getting hot.

"Not so good, and you?"- he sits in front of me. 

"What's wrong? Is there any way I can help you?"

 "No, I mean yes ummm probably"- he chuckles, this is awkward.

"How can I help you?"

 "No"- I sigh. -"My husband had a car accident"- he raises one eyebrow. 

"You're married? Where's your wedding ring?"

 "I don't use it"- he seems to be upset. 

"Oh I'm very sorry"

 "Don't be, it's not your fault"

"How's work"

 "Good, just a little hard. And you?"

 "Same, I have a strict boss"

 "Same!"- we laugh. 

"Aren't you going to eat your sandwich?"

 "Yes, want some?"

 "No thanks"- he replies with a smirk. 

"Will you order something?"

 "No. You're the same Lina I met in college: caring, loving, intelligent, and beautiful"- I feel my heart beating faster.

When we were in college I tried to flirt with him, but he would always ignore me. I felt like a teenage dirtbag chasing Mr perfect. He was the best player on the soccer team and one of the best students in his class, his elder brother was a well-known pastor, his parents were rich, he was in a community service program, and his speeches were powerful and emotional...

"Lina"- he cuts me out of my thoughts by snapping his fingers in front of my eyes and looking at me with amusement.

"What were you thinking about?"

 "Nothing. How's your family?"

 "My mother passed away two weeks ago, my father plays golf and does business stuff, my brother is a pastor, and my sister is living in Spain"

 "I'm very sorry about your mother"

 "It's okay"- he says with a sad face. 

"Don't worry, she's in a better place"- I say while stroking his uncovered arm.

"Thanks, Lina, you're very nice"- I smile at him and start to eat my Meatball sandwich. We might become good friends.

"How's your family doing?"

 "My parents are enjoying retirement and my sister is modeling for two-sport brands"

 "You should join your sister"- I feel my face is getting hotter. 

"T-thanks"- he gives me a sly smile.

"I've heard The Friendly Bean is one of the best coffee shops in town, would you like to come with me?"- I turn on my phone to check the time and see it's 6:35 p.m., it's still early. -"Obviously after you finish your sandwich"

 "I'll think about it"

 "As you wish"

There's a short silence between us, I'm slowly eating my food and he's looking at me. This is so uncomfortable!

"You said your sister lives in Spain, right? How has been her experience there?"- he tells me she has had a good experience, then I start talking about Spanish culture and how I ended up studying in the U.S. Thereafter we talk about college. -"My experience at Precious University was better, but it would have been even better if you had transferred with me"

 "I was very happy at SPU, I never thought of transferring to another university"

Why do I have the feeling he's flirting with me? Or is he just being nice?

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

 "No, I'm single"- he replies with a smirk, his blue eyes looking directly at my eyes. 

"Oh, I thought you had one. You're a very nice guy"- his gaze falls down to my lips. 

"Thank you, you're a very nice girl as well"

 "T-thanks"- I respond after finishing my last bite of sandwich. I'm full.

***

Óla 👋

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