Agnes blushed as her the owner complimented her, managing a shy, "Thanks, sir."
"Going for the signature setting today?" he asked.
She nodded.
Out of the blue, he queried, "And what about your boyfriend?"
Agnes was about to clarify that Ryder was not her boyfriend, but Ryder had already spoken up: "Same as hers will be fine."
"Coming right up!" the owner called out cheerfully, disappearing into the kitchen.
Agnes rolled her eyes. What was the point, explanations hardly seemed to matter.
Pouring Ryder a cup of water, Agnes said, "Here, have some warm water to soothe your stomach first."
"Thanks," Ryder replied, taking a sip.
The two sat across from each other at a cramped little table, waiting for their food.
Agnes felt a bit awkward being this close to Ryder.
Ryder, on the other hand, seemed perfectly at ease.
"Why are you so fond of the burgers from this place?" he asked after another sip of water.
"Because they're delicious. I could eat them a hundred times and never get tired," Agnes replied, feeling that opening up to Ryder about her personal life just didn't seem right at the moment.
Ryder glanced at her but didn't press further.
Soon enough, their food arrived, along with a couple of tasty side dishes on the house.
Agnes couldn't wait - she dove in with her spoon, taking a huge gulp of the burger and exclaimed, "That's the taste I've missed for so many years. It's like fulfilling a dream with every bite."
The burger was just as delicious as it had been four years ago.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Heartstrings on Fire