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Of that, I was sure.
    “Show me your tools, Levi. Let’s show that boy of yours how it’s done.”

 

     
    I was reading an article in The Tennessean about the war abroad when I was interrupted.
    “She’s not here today. It’s her day off.”
    Her tone was friendly, on the verge of laughing actually. I looked up from my newspaper. “Who’s not here today?”
    Setting down a basket of piping hot biscuits I didn’t order and refilling my coffee, she said, “Don’t be coy. You know who I’m talking about.”
    I shifted in my seat and folded my paper. “Why do I feel like I’m under interrogation?”
    She leaned down so we were closer to eye level and in a sugary voice said, “I have no idea, although I do have a question for you.”
    Gesturing for her to continue, I picked up my coffee and sipped it.
    “What are your intentions with my best friend?”
    I placed my cup down casually. “Who’s your best friend?”
    She stood up taller and folded her arms across her chest. She wore the same waitress attire that Sophie wore, blue dress, white apron. She looked down at me like I was a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
    Fine.
    I motioned for her to have a seat across from me, and waited for her to settle in. “My intentions with Sophie are pure, I assure you. I know you’re not gonna be satisfied with that so what exactly do you want to know?”
    She regarded me for a moment. “You know what… I believe you.” Her brown eyes were nothing like Sophie’s blue ones, but they were pretty and I could see sincerity behind them.
    “That’s it? You’re gonna take me at my word? What kind of best friend are you?” I admit, I was relieved, and I’m sure it showed, however, I was also cautious.
    She eyeballed me curiously for a couple of seconds. “For two weeks you’ve come in here, wearing your uniform, hobbling along on your crutches, ordering your coffee, barely speaking to a soul, only saying please and thank you when appropriate. You’re not being rude in any way, but if you’re not looking at Sophie then it’s like you don’t see or notice anyone or anything else around you. You’re smitten and I don’t need you to tell me that. I can see it with my own eyes.”
    She started to stand and I stopped her. “Wait, so why did you ask me what my intentions were if you knew all that?”
    A tiny smile fixed itself at the corner of her lips. “Like you said, what kind of best friend would I be if I didn’t ask? I did my duty.” She paused, “May I give you a piece of advice?”
    “Sure.”
    “As easygoing as Sophie appears to be, she guards herself. She won’t make this easy for you. So keep that in mind when she pushes, and she will. You may need to do some pushing of your own. Understand? I’m only telling you this because I think you deserve to know.”
    Glancing at her nametag, I said, “Elizabeth, I’ve been to war and back. I’m up for whatever Sophie throws my way. I think I can handle it.”
    Without hesitation, she said, “If I didn’t think you could handle it, I wouldn’t be over here wasting my time giving you a heads up.” She slid out of the booth. “I need to get back to work now. Enjoy the biscuits. I made them myself.”
    “Wait.” I hurriedly scribbled on a napkin and then handed it to her. “Would you mind giving this to Sophie please?”
    “What is it?”
    This time a smile clung to the edge of my lips. “My last name.”
     
     

     
     
    The next day wasn’t anything I’d expected, even with Elizabeth’s warning. I was sitting in my usual spot when Sophie approached.
    “What did you do to Elizabeth?” she asked.
    Stunned, I said, “I didn’t do anything to Elizabeth.”
    “She likes you. She doesn’t like anybody. How’d you do that?” Her lips were pursed and she was showing me that spunk I was becoming addicted to.
    I chuckled. “Maybe I’m just a likeable kind of guy.”
    She folded her arms over her chest. “Or maybe you worked some kind