NOT What I Was Expecting Read Free

made, we pulled into Dan’s Diner.  In our defense, Dan’s
cheeseburgers have been known to convert vegetarians.  Yeah, they are that good.
    As CeCe and I slid
into a booth in the back, I couldn’t help but notice all the couples.  I tried
to fight off the lump that had just lodged in my throat, since I felt I should
be happy for all these people who’d found each other.  I shouldn’t feel sorry
for myself because there was no man in my life at the moment.  Wouldn’t that
make me somewhat self-absorbed?  Aw, yuck.  I hate those self-involved people
who think only of themselves.  I don’t want to be one of them.
    I should try to be
more like CeCe.  She doesn’t worry about the fact that she’s infatuated with a
guy she barely knows.  She’s not sitting here thinking about him and feeling
sorry for herself.  She’s probably thinking ‘if it’s meant to be, it will
happen’ and that is such a healthier attitude.  I want to be healthy.  I
mean, how much harder is this for her?  This has never happened to her before,
since CeCe has always been the one being pursued.  She is used to deciding who
gets to catch her and who doesn’t.  I looked across the table at CeCe.  Here
she is, secretly in love with a man who doesn’t give her a second glance, and
she isn’t upset by all the hand-holding and games of footsy going on in this
place.  She’s sitting here smiling at me.
    “What?” CeCe
asked, still smiling.  “Why are you looking at me like that?”
    “Nothing.  I’m
not.  Nothing,” I covered with my usual suave and finesse.
    “Okay,” CeCe
giggled.  “Anyway, I wanted to tell you something, and since your mind is
obviously empty right now, I guess this is as good a time as any.  I’m worried
because I’m so in love with Deputy Ben, and he doesn’t even give me a second
look.  You know, I don’t want to be one of those people who sit around and say
‘if it’s meant to be, it’ll happen.’  No, no!  I want to be a ‘what do I need
to do to make this happen’ kind of person.  So I need your help.  But
first,” she suggested as she grabbed her menu, “lets order already.  I’m
starving.”
    I couldn’t help
the surprised expression on my face but tried to hide the hint of a smile that
came from finding CeCe wasn’t as patient as I thought.  I tried not to let what
CeCe thought of as a cute name for Sheriff’s Deputy Ben Simpson grate on my
nerves.  Somehow hearing him called Deputy Ben always brought to mind
fingernails sliding down a chalkboard.  Maybe it was because Deputy Simpson or simply Ben would make me feel less like I was living in some
children’s TV show.  Nevertheless, I was intrigued by this CeCe who was going
to make things happen and couldn’t wait to hear how.
    CeCe gave me a
look like she’d never seen anyone from my planet before.  “Why are you so
shocked?” she wanted to know.  “This is not the time to sit around and do
nothing.  This is the time for action.  I have a plan to move things along with
Deputy Ben, and I need your help.”
    Our waiter walked
up at that moment, which was good since I was hungry and bad since I wanted to
hear what CeCe had planned for me to do.  We both ordered cheeseburgers and
fries.  When CeCe also requested an order of onion rings and a chocolate shake,
I felt I had no option but to hang in there and duplicate her order.  If I
didn’t match her in the scarfing-down-food department, it would throw off the
delicate balance that kept us both wearing the same size, therefore, doubling
my wardrobe.  I had no choice.
    Once the waiter
hurried off, no doubt to borrow a back brace before bringing out all the food
we’d ordered, I directed my attention back to CeCe.  “What kind of help are we
talking about?” I asked cautiously.
    CeCe let out a
heavy sigh, which usually preceded the spilling of her guts.  “Here’s the thing,”
she began.  “I saw Deputy Ben when I went to the post office this