Superior

Chapter 7

Chapter Seven

Delaney

A lazy Saturday came and went, and before I knew it, it was Sunday afternoon and my meeting with Caleb was less than an hour away. I'd spent the day in nervous anticipation, several times considering canceling. I couldn't seem to shake the ominous feeling of dread that was crouching above my head.

Throughout the day, I was constantly telling myself that nothing would go wrong. But the simple fact that I need that reassurance only served to make me more nervous. Rather than being eased, my fears only increased. By the time five-thirty rolled around, I was thoroughly terrified.

But it was too late to change my mind. So I pulled on a pair of dark skinny jeans and a gray sweater, trying to ignore the mild feeling of panic swimming in my stomach. Frowning, I brushed through my hair with my fingers and pulled on my only pair of ballet flats, red ones with bows on the toes. My outfit was hardly up to Lizzy's standards, I decided as I looked in the mirror, but it would do.

My mom was waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs, purse on her arm and phone in her hand. I'd told her that I was meeting Liz for an evening shopping trip at the mall that Savory's was in. Though my social outings were rare, the idea was plausible, and thankfully, she bought it.

"Hurry up," she said, her voice ridden with impatience. "You're going to be late."

"Fine with me," I muttered inaudibly, but my mother was already halfway out the door.

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I spent the car ride with my forehead pressed against the window, watching Seattle's busy streets fly past. Mom had the car set to auto, which had a default speed of fifty miles per hour, so she could watch soaps on the mini-screen TV. The swiftness of our movement made the city a blur of lights and color.

When the car eased to a stop in front of the mall, my stomach was in knots. It was with considerable trepidation that I forced myself out of the car, all the while clutching my purse like it was my lifeline.

"Call me if you need pick-up!" my mom called, rolling down the window and glancing away from the television for a split second. I watched as she drove away, waiting until she was out of sight before plunging into the crowd. It took a few minutes of elbowing before I finally made my way to Savory's front entrance.

I stared at the doors of the restaurant, which featured a picture of one of their specialty pizzas. As someone pushed past me and opened the door, the warm, unmistakable scent of garlic bread swirled around me. Its aroma beckoned me inside, but it wasn't until several moments later that I was able to drag myself through the doors.

Inside the dimly-lit building were a couple dozen tables forming a half circle around a small, lobby-like waiting area. Every single one seemed to be filled, but even standing on tiptoe, I couldn't find Caleb's face. I checked my watch: it was ten past six.

"Can I help you?" asked a smiling young waitress in a dark blue apron. She stood behind a wooden podium, twirling a pen between her fingers.

"I'm here for a reservation with Caleb Payne," I said, standing up straight and trying to seem as confident as possible.

"Caleb Payne, Caleb Payne..." The waitress used her pen to scan through tablet in front of her, a frown pulling at her lips. I waited with bated breath, half praying that she'd find his name, but half hoping that she wouldn't.