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“Hiya Flo,” Pearce says, introducingtwo coffees for starters

There are two huge menus in front of us, and I exa order as well as his own regular booth

“You can have whatever you want,” he assuresme he knows best

“I’ll let you surprisethem to one side

This pleases Pearce, I can tell And his look signals ot more in store by way of surprises than just a diner meal too

“I’ve got a little place out of town,” he says, our coffee arriving at the same time

He doesn’t mind the waitress, and she doesn’t even blink when he starts to tell me about his country place

“It’s about time I went out there anyway,” he reflects “There are a few stops on the way and a decent general store and diner,” he continues Stopping only to assure the waitress the diner there has nothing on this place

She blushes like anyone would at a compliment from Pearce’s lips

Once the elderly waitress is gone he turns his attention tome a thousand reasons to blush as he takes my hands in his

“I hope you’ll like it there, Brynn Actually, I know you’ll like it” He beams

“We can grab soo back for anything that is,” he adds, e puddle of the scolding liquid all over the table

“Jesus, are you alright?” he exclai his napkin to stem the flow as it pools towards me

“I- I’uess”

Pearce signals the waitress that he’s got this, and using another napkin he cleans up the mess and makes a neat stack of cups, saucers, and used napkins on the edge of the table

“I don’tyou need,” he observes

“Is it really so bad you can’t even go back, not even to collect your things though?” he asks, looking like a man ants some answers now

Not justup spilled coffee

What worries ht store to the likes of her boyfriend Steve and then his bully of a son

I can see Pearce knohat I’ the theory in his own o back Not even to use the bathroom

I’m done there, with that life