Daring to Love: A Contemporary Romance (The Armstrongs Book 3) (11 page)

Mellie’s head was buzzing. With trembling hands she tied the apron around her waist and listened carefully to Denise, her co-worker and a veteran waitress at the Lake Perry diner.

“Greet the customer, hand them the menus, take their drink order, and only then ask if they’re ready to order. If they are not, give them a few more minutes before you return.”

Today was her first day working as a waitress at the diner. The summer season was just getting started, and she hoped to make enough money to pay for college classes in the fall. She’d turned 21 a few weeks ago and was ready to take on the world. In keeping with her new grown up persona, she’d decided to use from now on her given name – Melissa. It sounded much more mature than Mellie!

A young family entered the diner and Denise nodded her head towards them, showing it was time to put theory into practice. Melissa gave her a hesitant smile and nodded her head.
I can do this!

She grabbed two regular menus, and two kid menus, complete with two cups of crayons. Approaching their booth, she smiled broadly and introduced herself, “Hi, folks. My name is Melissa and I’m going to be your server this morning.”

“Good morning, Melissa. You’re new here, aren’t you?” asked the father in the group.

“I am,” she admitted, “but don’t worry. I’ll take good care of you all.”  She handed around the menus and gave the kids the crayons, “Do you two like to color?”

The two little blonde heads nodded, eager to use the crayons. Melissa smiled and whispered to them, “Don’t tell anybody, but I like to color too.” She winked at the kids and then took out her pad and pen. “Now, what I can get everyone to drink?”

After returning with their drink orders, she wrote down their food order, handed it off at the kitchen window and turned to see Denise watching her. “How’d I do?”

“Melissa, you’re a natural.”

Melissa beamed at her and felt herself stand a little taller. It was amazing what a few words of praise could do for a person’s confidence!

“Order’s up!” came the call from the kitchen.

Melissa turned and then paused for a moment, unsure of the next step. She had four plates to deliver to a table halfway across the diner, and only two hands. Denise smiled as she accurately interpreted her hesitation.

“Hey, don’t panic. Before long you’ll be handling one of the large trays like a pro, but for now, let me help. You take two, and I’ll follow behind you with the other two.”

“Really?” Melissa asked in relief. “Thanks, Denise.” The two women grabbed the warm plates and within a few minutes they were both back behind the counter and Melissa enjoyed her first success.

The bell above the door jangled again. Our second guest this day! A handsome man entered the diner. He headed straight for the counter and sat down. Denise turned to Melissa, telling her, “Dean Armstrong. You can have him. He gives good tips. But, he’s weird. He’ll probably try to talk to you about some gross bugs.”

“Bugs?” Melissa asked, not sure if she should thank Denise or not. She turned to look at the customer in question, but he had his head buried in the menu and all she could see was the top of his head.

“Yeah. He’s a regular.”

“Okay, thanks. I can use a few good tips,” Melissa told her, grabbing her pad and pen and heading in the mystery man’s direction.

“Hello. I’m Melissa. Can I get you some coffee?” she asked, hoping to draw him away from the menu and get a good look at a man who liked to talk about insects. When he lowered the menu and looked up, Melissa forgot everything except for how gorgeous he was. He had broad shoulders, and muscular arms. Not bulging biceps, but lean and well-defined arms. Just the way she liked it. His dark, short hair showed a few unruly strands hanging into his forehead. Her fingers itched to bury themselves in his hair and feel the softness. But the most intense impression on her made his steel-blue eyes. Eyes that looked at her in a way she’d never experienced before.

Her knees trembled, her heart raced, and then the fear set in.
He’s perfect! But I don’t want or need a relationship! Men are way too much trouble!
Melissa mentally chided herself for being swayed by a man’s looks.
But you have to admit, he is absolutely gorgeous!

Remember Happy? Your daughter?
Melissa quickly reminded herself what had happened the last time she’d allowed a good looking guy to turn her head. She’d ended up alone and pregnant. Her daughter Happy would turn three soon, and since her biological father had taken off; Melissa hadn’t had a serious relationship or any relationship at all. It was better this way.

The few guys she’d been interested in had disappeared the minute they found out she had a toddler waiting for her at home. Faster than she could blink!
No, I don’t need a relationship. Happy and I are doing just fine by ourselves. Besides when would I have time for a boyfriend?

Melissa had just finished high school and wanted to go to college. A college degree was the only way she would ever be able to provide for Happy without living paycheck to paycheck. That’s why she’d taken this job. To earn enough money this summer to pay for college when it started up in the fall. And between school, work, and taking care of Happy, there was absolutely no time left for a boyfriend. None at all!

(End of Sneak Peak)

To continue reading, pick up the book of Dean and Melissa :

I LOVE YOU TWICE

The Armstrong series continues with Douglas and Antonia in SURPRISED BY LOVE.

Coming soon…..
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You might enjoy my other books as well:

The Armstrongs:

Each of the books can be read as stand alone novel and you can read it in any order you want, but for best enjoyment, you might want to read it in the order below.

Book 1: Power of Love (Trevor and Nicole) 
http://jessicagraybo oks.com/trevorarmstrong.html

Book 2: Forever my Love (Ryan and Kendra)
http://jessicagraybooks.com/ryanarmstrong.html

Book 3: Daring to Love (Evan and Charlene)  coming soon

Book 4: Surprised by Love (Douglas and Toni) coming soon

Falling for Him Series:

Books 1,2,3 and 5 should be read in order. Books 4, 6, 7 and 8 can be read as standalone novellas.

Book 1: Rachel and Peter 
http://jessicagraybooks.com/falling1.html

Book 2: Rachel and Peter in Spain
http://jessicagraybooks.com/falling2.html

Book 3: Rachel goes Business
http://jessicagraybooks.com/falling3.html

Book 4: Lara and David
http://jessicagraybooks.com/falling4.html

Book 5: Rachel and Peter’s Wedding 
http://jessicagraybooks.com/falling5.html

Book 6: Stubborn Love  (Clara and Nigel)
http://jessicagraybooks.com/falling6.html

Book 7: I Love You Twice – (Melissa and Dean) 
http://jessicagraybooks.com/falling7.html

Short Stories in the Falling for Him Series

Christmas Miracle – (Rachel and Peter) 
http://jessicagraybooks.com/falling8.html

(this book is best read after book 5)

Stand-Alone Novellas:

Entangled Love

http://jessicagraybooks.com/entangled.html

Destroyed Dreams

http://jessicagraybooks.com/destroyed.html