“Extra cold,” Tiana said. “That’s the only proper way to drink strawberry lemonade.”
Lila almost smiled.
Almost.
“Are you ready to order, or do you need more time?”
Lila stared down at the menu.
Her lips pressed together.
Tiana recognized that look.
Too overwhelmed to choose.
Too proud to say so.
“How about this?” Tiana said. “I know the kids’ menu looks boring. But there’s a mac and cheese back there that is not officially on this menu, and it is serious business.”
Lila’s eyes lifted.
“It has three cheeses,” Tiana whispered, like she was sharing a state secret. “And toasted breadcrumbs. And if anyone asks, we never had this conversation.”
A tiny breath came out of Lila.
It was not quite a laugh.
But it was close enough.
“Can I have that?”
“You absolutely can.”
Tiana wrote it down as if it were the most important order in the building.
“Mac and cheese. Strawberry lemonade. Excellent taste.”
As she turned, she noticed a man step through the front door.
Tall.
Dark hair with a little gray at the temples.
Tailored charcoal overcoat.
His face was calm, but his eyes were searching.
The hostess leaned toward him, whispering.
He looked toward table fifteen.
Relief softened his face for half a second.
But he did not go to Lila.
Instead, he asked something quietly.
The hostess nodded and led him to a table two spots away, partly hidden behind a half-wall and a tall plant.
From there, he could see Lila clearly.
But Lila could not easily see him.
Tiana noticed.
Servers notice more than people think.
They notice which husband flinches when the bill comes.
Which woman is smiling too hard.
Which child is trying not to cry.
Which man is watching from two tables away like his whole heart is sitting alone in the corner.
She placed Lila’s order, then ran refills to table seven and bread to table twelve.
Jessica still had not returned.
Darren stood near the bar, talking to two regulars, his smile wide and fake.
When the mac and cheese came up, Tiana carried it herself.
Another server could have done it.
But she wanted to check on Lila.
The bowl was warm, creamy, golden on top.
Lila looked at it like she was hungry but afraid to begin.
Her cast rested awkwardly against the table.
She picked up her fork with her left hand, tried to angle it, then dropped it with a small clatter.
Her cheeks went red.
Tiana pulled out the chair across from her.
