Mending Read Online Free PDF Page A

you?”
    Bradley looked back to the hostess. “Yes, that’ll be fine, then.”
    The hostess handing them a black square buzzer replied, “Please feel free to help yourself to a drink at the bar while you wait.  This will vibrate and beep when your table is ready.”
    Bradley smiled and lead Gabby towards the bar. “Shall we?”
    Gabby smiling a wry smile replied, “I’ll have a Diet Coke since you likely haven’t made prior arrangements for your underage friend.” 
    “No, Miss Gerhart.  I didn’t know where we were going.  Had I, I would have at the least made us reservations.”
    Gabby frowned putting her head down. “I’m sorry, I should have done that.”
    “Hey.  I didn’t mean it like that, Gabby.”
    She shrugged her shoulders with her head still down.  “Well, that’s kinda how it came out.”
    Pushing that piece of hair that is always framing Gabby’s face behind her ear, his expression softened.  “I always make reservations.  I am not the most patient man.  I will say that you won’t find me complaining about fifteen minutes longer to look at or be with you, though.”
    Gabby blushed.  “You’re so smooth.”
    “I’m not trying to be smooth.” He rubbed his chin with his fingers.  “It’s the truth.”
    “You barely know me,” she whispered as she glanced up to him.
    “I know.  It’s intriguing…you’re intriguing.  I want to know you better.”
    “What do you want to know?”
    “Everything.  Why is this your favorite restaurant?”
    Gabby’s face reddened as she looked into his curious blue eyes.  She quickly looked back down fidgeting with the napkin under her glass. “Because this is where my mom used to bring us on special occasions.”
    “Ugh, I’m sorry.”
    “Why are you sorry?”
    “You’ve been through so much, too much.”
    “Please don’t pity me.  I don’t pity myself.  You shouldn’t –”
    Putting his finger up to her mouth he hushed her. “I don’t pity you.  I just wish I could change it.”
    “Well, you can’t.”  Gabby shrugged her shoulders and glanced up. “Things happen for a reason.  I don’t understand why, but my mother taught me that much before she left.”
    “I believe that.  It doesn’t make it any easier to handle, though.”
    The conversation was interrupted by the buzzing of the coaster-like device the hostess had given them, startling Gabby.  She looked into his eyes as she started to laugh at herself.  Bradley’s smile broadened.  As the laughter faded away Gabby found herself paralyzed in the moment, totally captured by his gaze.  Bradley arched his eyebrow and moved slightly closer to Gabby’s face.  He picked up his and Gabby’s drink, leaning into her he whispered, “I think that’s us.”
    It was difficult for Gabby to form words, and she blinked wide eyed picking up the coaster as the vibration and beeping got even more loud and annoying.  She gulped and tried to regain her composure. “Yep, I’m ready.”

    They couldn’t have asked for a better spot to have been seated.  The rounded booth was in a quiet corner and allowed them to sit next to each other, but was also far more spacious than what they needed.  Either could have slid farther apart from the other, but instead their proximity was so close that they were nearly touching. 
    “What do you usually eat here?” Bradley asked as he opened his menu. 
    “I love their bacon wrapped shrimp.  They are stuffed with deviled crab.  They’re just incredible.” Gabby gushed.
    “Mmm, that sounds good.” He glanced over to her grinning. “Is that what you’re going to order?”
    “I think it is.” She cheerfully replied, tilting her head.
    Bradley turned to her with a crooked smile and that eyebrow raised again, “You think?  Doesn’t sound very definitive.”
    Shrugging her shoulders, “Yeah, I am pretty sure.  Sometimes I like to see what other people are ordering before I order.”
    “Oh, Ok.  Well, do they have a low