Common Ground

by Wendy Smith

  Please email me directly if you have any issues.

  Don’t be surprised if it snows down as far as the house. The road gets black ice on it this time of year, so be careful.

  Kind Regards,

  Richard Baker.

  I nod as I read. The guy sounds decent enough. And his food recommendations leave my mouth watering. I load Google and search for “Delaney’s Diner”.

  The website comes up.

  I click on the online ordering tab. Pictures of food pop up, and I zoom in on the combo options. I’m sure they won’t look how they do on the website, but right now, I’d kill for a burger.

  Selecting a combo with fries and a thickshake, and then adding another burger to it, I go to the page where I have to fill in my information.

  I’m not ordering under my real name. The last thing I want is to bring attention to myself here. I like a quiet life.

  What’s this guy’s name? Richard Baker. I type that in, retrieve the address from the earlier email Mindy sent me, and fill the rest of the form in before paying for it.

  Delivery time is approximately thirty minutes.

  I nod. That’s fair. My stomach grumbles at the thought of food.

  It can’t arrive fast enough.

  Six

  Delaney

  “Don’t fall over, but we have a delivery order,” Pania calls across the kitchen.

  I sigh. We have a delivery option, but most locals come here to eat. I should probably get rid of it, but there aren’t a lot of places around here that offer the service. And any business is good business.

  “I can take it. I’ve got to go and pick up Melly anyway.”

  She nods. “I’ll get it cooked and ready to go.”

  “Where am I going?”

  “The Baker estate.”

  “Richard’s there? It’s not like him to be staying and ordering food from us. Doesn’t he usually get gourmet shit flown in from Auckland?”

  Pania laughs. “He has ordered in before. Maybe he felt like slumming it today?”

  “Maybe. I hope he knows again that he’ll be paying a premium for delivery. That road probably has black ice this time of year.”

  She frowns. “If you’re worried about it, why don’t I take it?”

  “I’ll be fine. I’ll just drive slowly. Besides, I’ll have to swing by and grab Melly first.”

  “I’ll get the sale processed. It’s just a couple of burgers, fries, and a thickshake so won’t take long to throw together.”

  “Sounds good.”

  I head out to the front of the diner. Damon, who spends more time here than his printing business down the road, waves at me from a stool at the end of the counter

  “I’m heading out to get Melly and take a food delivery. You two okay?” I ask Trina and Jo who are both out serving customers. They nod, Trina walking toward the counter to cover for me.

  “Delaney, could I have another coffee?” Damon asks.

  “I’m sure Trina can help you with that.” I smile.

  “I like it better when you do it.”

  I bristle. “Well, Trina’s good at making coffee and I have to get Amelia. The school bell doesn’t wait for anyone.”

  Before he answers, I turn on my heel and walk out the back. “Food ready?”

  Pania nods. “Just about. The fries have another thirty seconds or so. Damon give you grief out there?”

  “He wanted me and me alone to make his coffee.”

  She sighs. “That man has it bad. But he needs to find someone else to moon over.”

  “Can’t you go out and flirt with him for a bit?” I flutter my eyelashes at her.

  Laughing, she shakes her head and returns to the deep-fryer. “Here’s your meal. Have fun, and don’t forget your jacket. It’ll be freezing up there.”

  By the time I get to school, the bell’s rung and Melly’s waiting near the gate. I let out a sigh of relief because while we have the standard delivery time on the website as approximately thirty minutes, Richard’s house is on the outer limit due to its location.

  She jumps in the car, and I buckle her into her child seat.

  “We’re going for a drive,” I say.

  “Where?”

  “Up the mountain. I have a delivery to make before we go to the diner.”

  She claps. “Can we see the snow?”

  “It’s not cold enough for snow, honey.”

  Melly pouts.

  “We’ll come back when there is, and maybe we can make a snowman.”

  “Like Olaf?”

  I bite down a laugh. Children’s movies have a lot to be answer for. “Maybe. I think he’ll have to stay on the mountain, though.”

  That seems to be a good enough answer as she settles back in her seat and smiles.

  Thankfully, the path seems quite clear. The ice can be dangerous, but I know the road well and where there are problems.

  Before too long, I make a right turn into the driveway and Richard’s house looms ahead. It’s a beautiful two-storey place with huge windows and high ceilings. I bet anything it’s toasty warm inside, unlike my car, which has what I refer to as a ‘sometimes heater’.

  Pulling up outside, I grab my jacket from the passenger seat and slide it on. The car’s warm, but up here it’ll be freezing. After zipping it right up, I pull a woollen hat down over my ears and slide my gloves on.

  Melly laughs when I turn to talk to her, the collar of my jacket zipped up over my mouth.

  “Be good. I’ll be back in a minute.”

  She nods, the pompom on the top of her hat waving around. I really need to stitch that damn hat back up before she loses it. She’s so attached to it because I made it for her, but while the knitting’s solid, my sewing is apparently not too hot.

  I open the door of the car, reaching for the insulated bag and sliding the contents out. Grabbing the thickshake from the drink holder, I walk the short distance to the front door.

  Ringing the doorbell, I pray that he hears it. Last time I was here, he didn’t at first and this stupid house is so big, it takes an age for him to walk from one end to the other. I also have no patience being up there. There’s a marked difference in temperature between the mountain and the town.

  “Come on, Richard.” I stamp my feet to try and get warm. The sooner I get back to the warmth of the diner, the better.

  “Sorry.”

  I hear him before I see him, and his voice causes me to catch my breath. It’s so familiar.

  It still takes a moment for it to register once the door swings open.

  That’s not Richard.

  He’s has a towel wrapped around his waist, and nothing else. I drag my eyes up from his towel to see a dark trail of hair from his navel into those trunks, and I know I’m still staring as I make my way over a very impressive set of abs, to an even more impressive pair of pecs covered in a light dusting of dark hair.

  And there it is. That handsome face with stubble and those dark eyes—eyes I’ve drowned in before.

  “I … I …”

  Josh.

  His tired gaze looks down, and his expression slowly changes as if he’s just noticing that he’s half-naked.

  “Shit. Sorry. I should have thrown a robe on. I just flew in last night and I’m jetlagged to hell, which is why I need this. Do you have a phone number I can just call if I need more? I’ve only got my phone and I hate ordering online with it. Fat fingers.” He grins.

  “More?” Jesus, Delaney. Get it together.

  I hand him over the thickshake and bag. Raising them as if to say thanks, he smiles a cheesy smile that makes my knees knock together. “I’ve heard your food is like being home, and I’m sure that’s what I need right now.”

  My mouth’s so dry, I’m not even sure I can form any more words, and an awkward silence falls over us. This is not how I pictured a reunion, but then again, I never expected to see Josh again.

  “It’s … it’s on the side of the bag. We can take phone orders.” My words are
muffled by my jacket, but I don’t care.

  He nods. “Great. I promise I won’t make a nuisance of myself.”

  When he smiles, the dimples in his cheeks make my stomach flip. Why on earth am I this way? I thought six years would make a difference to the way he makes me react. Apparently not.

  “It’s no problem.”

  He takes a sip of the shake. “Damn, that’s good. I’m sure I’ll be back to feeling like myself after this.”

  My throat constricts, and my heart thrums about a million miles a minute.

  He yawns, gathering the bag into the same hand as his shake and then scratches the back of his neck.

  The abs move.

  I swallow hard.

  “Thanks for that.”

  I nod, and turn back toward the car.

  “Wait. Do I tip you? I’m sorry. I just arrived here last night and I don’t know the custom.”

  Tension pools in my stomach at the smooth sound of his voice. He always had that, even six years ago. It’s one of the things that drew me to him.

  “No.” I croak. “No tip needed. We don’t do that here.”

  “Oh. Okay. Thanks again.”

  My heart thuds as I walk toward the car. For once I’m grateful that I’m clothed in a thick jacket and beanie. He didn’t recognise me.

  After I open the car door, I slip off my jacket and tug the beanie off my head, shaking out my hair.

  Relief floods my system when I slide into the driver’s seat and start up the car.

  “Are we going to work now, Mummy?”

  “We’re going to the diner.” I nod.

  She lets out a dramatic sigh. “Good. It’s warm there.”

  I laugh. “I know it’s been a long week. Want Mummy to make you a special burger when we get there?”

  Melly claps. “And fries?”

  “And fries. Then we’ll leave the others to it and go home and watch a movie if you want.”

  “Can we watch Zootopia again?”

  I sigh. “Yes, we can watch Zootopia again.”

  Me? I just want to go home and have a much stronger drink than the ones we sell at work.

  After my afternoon, I think I need it.

  Seven

  Josh

  I don’t close the door right away.

  The icy blast coming from outside should be enough to make me, but there was something about that woman, and I can’t put my finger on it.

  I couldn’t see her face, and her voice was muffled, but she seemed familiar.

  It’s probably just because I’m so tired.

  When she reaches the car, she pulls off her jacket, and then her hat, shaking out her hair.

  Brown curls spill out.

  I catch my breath. The simple action brings back memories of an earlier time.

  Saturday night at our local nightclub is good for two things: Cheap drinks and getting laid. Since I met Dee, the latter’s not of any interest to me. I’m here for the alcohol.

  One drink later, and my best friend, Reece, has disappeared with a blonde. I’m left with Jessie and Clarke, two of our older acting class buddies. Jessie wants more. She always did.

  “Come home with me,” she says.

  I shake my head. “It wouldn’t be fair on either of us. I like you, Jessie, I really do, but …”

  “His heart’s been stolen by an antipodean barista.” Clarke pretends to swoon, and all I do is roll my eyes at him.

  A flash of brown curls catches my eye. It can’t be. I guess she’s staying somewhere in the neighbourhood.

  Dee scoots around the outside of the dance floor, a drink in her hand and her eyes scanning the room. I assume she’s looking for a seat.

  “I’ll be back.”

  I stand and smile as I walk up behind her.

  “Dee!” I yell.

  Despite the loud music, she still jumps, her drink spilling over her hand and onto the floor.

  “Oh my God. Canadian boy.” She grins.

  “What are you doing here?”

  She pokes me with her index finger. “I could ask you the same thing.”

  I shrug. “This is where I come to blow off steam.”

  Her nod is slow as she seems to take me in. “That’s why I’m here. I’ve only got a few weeks left and I’ve barely done any partying since I arrived. The drinks are so cheap.”

  I laugh. “That’s why we come here, too.”

  “We?”

  “I’m with some friends of mine.” I suck in my bottom lip. “Want to dance?”

  Indecision crosses her face, but she nods. “Sounds good. I’ll just finish this.”

  She gulps down the rest of her drink, leaving the glass on an empty table. “Come on.”

  Taking my hand in hers, she pulls me onto the dance floor.

  As we make our way there, Katy Perry’s “Firework” begins to play.

  I roll my eyes.

  Dee laughs. “Come on. This is a fun song.”

  “It wasn’t quite what I had in mind,” I yell.

  We both rock to the music, not touching each other even though I long to feel her in my arms.

  “I think I should warn you that I can’t dance at all.”

  She laughs. “I noticed. But I can’t dance either, so you’re in good company.”

  “No way. You’re amazing.”

  She grabs my hand. “Thanks. You’re a good liar.”

  “I’m not lying.” I tug her the rest of the way to me. She hooks her arms around my neck as I slide mine around her waist. “That’s better.”

  “You’re so much trouble, aren’t you?”

  “Not at all.”

  The moment catches us both by surprise. I can see it in her eyes. And without thinking, I lean in and kiss her.

  She doesn’t freak out.

  She kisses me back.

  It’s not long and passionate like I want it to be, but when we do pull apart, she’s got the same goofy look on her face as I’m sure I do.

  “Come home with me.”

  She shakes her head. “I can’t. I shouldn’t have even let you kiss me.”

  Her words are like a knife to the heart.

  Dee places her palm on my chest. “It’s not that I don’t want to, Josh. It’s just that starting something now would be unfair to both of us. I go home soon.”

  I capture her hand in mine. “I’ve never met anyone like you.”

  “I’ve never met anyone like you.” She echoes my words with a sad smile. I’m not alone in the way I feel; I’m sure of it. Her kiss ridded me of any doubts I had about that.

  “We could find a way. I want to try.”

  For a moment, her eyes search mine. She likes me. I know she does.

  “Can you make a promise not to fall in love with me?” she asks.

  I hold my hand up, fingers crossed. “Of course I will.”

  “It doesn’t count when you do that.” She squeezes my hand. “I just don’t want either of us to end up with a broken heart.”

  “We’ll spend the next few weeks getting to know each other and see how it goes. This isn’t impossible, Dee.”

  We’re shouting over the music, despite standing so close to one another. I take her hand in mine and lead her off to a corner of the room.

  “Why do I think I’m going to regret this?” she asks.

  She’s so close. I lean even closer.

  She nods and gives me her final permission. I kiss her, softly to start with, but then her arms slide back around my neck and she opens up to let me in.

  There’s no way I want this kiss to end.

  She tastes faintly of bourbon and Coke. My body’s against hers, and I let out a moan when she drops her hands and slides them around my waist.

  When the kiss ends, I press my forehead to hers.

  “You are trouble. I knew it.” She’s breathless.

  “Let’s get out of here. It’s too noisy. I’ll grab my jacket and walk you home.”

  With her hand still in mine, we make our way to t
he table.

  “Where have you been?” Jessie glares at me.

  “I’m going home. Are you okay to get back to your place?”

  “I’ll take her.” Clarke smiles at Dee. “Is this your Kiwi goddess?”

  Dee laughs. “Is that what you call me?”

  “Maybe.” I lift my jacket off the back of the chair.

  Her grin lights up her whole face. She’s so freaking gorgeous, and I know she’s scared to start something, but I’ve never felt so comfortable around another human being before..

  She gives Clarke and Jessie a little wave, and we turn and head out the door.

  We’re halfway down the street when she comes to a stop.

  “Wait. Were you with that woman?” she asks.

  “Who? Jessie?” I shake my head. “She’s a friend from my acting class, and we sometimes all get together for a night out. Clarke’ll make sure she gets home okay.”

  Dee nods. “Alright.”

  “We’re just friends. I don’t like her the way I like you.”

  She pauses. “I like you, too.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want to come home with me?”

  She’s torn; I can see it. “I don’t sleep with guys I’m not dating.”

  “When are you free to go on a date?”

  She laughs. “I’m not working tomorrow. That’s why I came out tonight.”

  “I can do tomorrow. I’ll take you to one of my favourite places.”

  Dee rests her palm on my cheek. “You’re not making this easy.”

  “That’s the plan.”

  She sighs. “One date.”

  “To start with.”

  With a shake of her head, she drops her hand. “I don’t know, Canadian boy. One date could lead to all kinds of trouble.”

  “To be honest, I hope it does.”

  She holds her hands up in surrender. “I’ve got to give you an A for persistence. And if I wasn’t so close to leaving the country, I wouldn’t hesitate.” Dee licks her lips. “But sure. Show me what you’ve got.”

  Her gaze fixes on me, and I lean closer.

  This time, our kiss is long and slow. I linger on her lips, my chest pounding at the thought of making sure tomorrow’s perfect.