Chapter 37: Across the Red Booth

Sitting directly across from one another in the corner booth of the bustling diner, illuminated by the bright neon diner sign buzzing steadily in the front window, they experienced a delightful flutter of nervous anticipation that usually belonged to people who barely knew each other. "Is this weird for you?" Lily asked with a soft, teasing smile, stirring her thick vanilla milkshake with a red plastic straw. James grinned broadly, taking a generous bite of his cheeseburger. "Not weird at all. Just feels like about ten years overdue."