And I'm staring again. What is wrong with me today? "I'm sorry," I murmur.
"I'm not."
Setting down his plate, I pick up the salad, feeling as though I should say something else. "Enough fries?"
Now that was lame. Not that it matters what the attractive man thinks of me, but it bothers me to see others in pain.
"Perfect," he replies. "What kind of pies do you have today?"
"Apple, peach, coconut cream and pecan."
"I'll take a slice of pecan."
I whisk the offensive salad and any sign of his failed date away. It's the one thing I can do to help.
"Claud, can you help me with the freezer?" the cook calls.
"Sure!" I join him in back. He injured his shoulder last weekend, so I'm doing the heavy lifting for now. Several frozen boxes of food later, I return to my post and am about to make my rounds to check on the customers when I see Todd seated in the booth across from the sad man with the pretty eyes.
They appear to be in deep conversation, and Todd's features express his fascination about whatever the stranger is saying.
But Todd with a stranger … it disturbs me. I'm terrified of something happening to my little brother, and my ex has used all manner of schemes and tricks to try to get to me, including sending strangers to befriend me and lure me somewhere where my ex can get me.
I take the man's pie to the table. "Todd, you're not bothering him, are you?" I ask casually.
"This is my sister." Todd rolls his eyes. "She's the one who won't let me take karate classes."
"And who feeds and clothes you," I point out.
"Whatever. Claud, this is the guy from school today." Todd's face lights up again. "He only has one leg!"
"Todd!" I snap, startled my brother is being so rude. "Please excuse my little brother for being an ass." My face is hot as I look at the stranger.
"When she's upset, she curses," Todd informs the stranger matter-of-factly. "I've been trying to curb that habit."
I slap him on the back of the head.
The stranger is grinning. "I live in constant fear of my sister, too."
I don't know why his broad smile and sparkling eyes make me feel flustered, but they do. "Go do your homework, Todd."
"It's done."
I level a cool look on him.
"Fine." He sighs loudly. "Nice talking to you Petr. One day you'll have to show Claudia your leg."
I have no idea how to respond in a way that won't offend the man named Petr and instead, return to the counter.