Free The Coffee Shop by Lauren Hunter Page B

much.”
    “Other times?”
    “Well, I know of someone that threw a surprise wedding party.”
    “A what?” Derrick gaped.
    “Exactly. That guy has to be really certain the girl is going to say yes. And the girl…talk about putting her on the spot. What if she doesn’t feel the same way, or what if she isn’t ready yet? Or, for that matter, what if she is a very private person?”
    “I take it, it didn’t go well?”
    “Oh, no it went great. She said yes, and everything went as planned. But it could have been a disaster.”
    “Funny that should come to mind when you mention surprises.”
    “What’s funny about that?”
    “Oh, nothing I guess.”
    “Just never plan something like that with me.”
    Derrick raised his eyebrows.
    “I don’t believe I just said that.” She felt her face become hot, and Derrick laughed. “Don’t laugh at me. I feel stupid enough as it is.”
    “Sorry, it’s just — ”
    “Would it be possible to pull the limo over? You can just let me off here?”
    “Hey, I’m sorry I laughed. You’re right. I shouldn’t have…even if it was funny.”
    “Pull it over!” Annie insisted.
    “I’m stopping, I’m stopping. Honest.”
    “So?”
    “I’m taking you to a place that I used to go to when I first arrived. I couldn’t afford much, and I was looking for a decent meal at a decent price. So, after some looking I came across this great little place, and the rest is history.”
    “And it’s still there, after all this time?”
    “You make it sound as if I am ancient.”
    Annie smiled. “Do I?”
    “Yes, it’s still there, and yes the same people are still running it. I go back from time to time and enjoy a good meal.”
    “What’s it called? Maybe I know it.”
    “Incontro.”
    Annie sat back on the seat. “Incontro?”
    “You know it?”
    “Know it, I worked there for a while when I first got here.”
    “How come I never saw you?”
    “Oh, I wasn’t a waitress or anything.” She laughed. “Could you see me as a waitress? I could just imagine the kind of disaster that would be. No, I worked in the kitchen washing dishes. Sometimes they’d let me chop things, when it got a little busy and they really needed the help, but not often.”
    “So, you’re saying we could have met all those years ago?”
    “Hey, like you I’m not that old. But, yeah, I guess so.”
    “Man that’s weird. The way things work like that.”
    “I know. Maybe we were supposed to meet all those years ago, and it didn’t happen, so fate decided to step in and make it happen for us.”
    “You don’t believe in that kind of thing?” Derrick asked.
    “Do you?”
    “I don’t know. What are the odds we’d come across each other once in this city, let alone at two different places?”
    “I’m not sure what I believe any more. I guess there would have been a time when I did, and maybe I do a bit still. I mean, when I think about it, it would be nice. Perhaps we weren’t at the right place in our lives to meet just then?”
    “I never thought about it that way. But just the fact that we both came to the same place like that, right after arriving here. That says something, don’t you think?”
    “Now that you mention it, I guess it does.”
    The limousine pulled up in front of the restaurant, and Lawrence opened the door as Annie and Derrick climbed out.
    “Thank you, Lawrence.”
    Lawrence tipped his hat and smiled. “Miss Maddock.”
    Taking her arm Derrick leaned in as he led her to the front door. “I think he likes you.”
    “Maybe that’s because I acknowledge him, and treat him with respect. So many of us work at such mundane jobs and people never so much as give us the time of day, let alone talk to us or smile. I know how much I appreciate it when someone shows me some kindness. So, when I do the same…to them it’s a big deal. It shows them there are still nice people in this world.”
    Derrick stopped before the door. “You really need to be ambassador to some