My eyes drift back to Dee and the little girl. Dee’s either ignoring me or hasn’t recognised me. I find that hard to believe, but it’s a possibility. I’d never forget her face. She’s grown up, as I have, and she’s filled out with curves she didn’t have back when I fell for her. But she’s unmistakably the same woman.

“Did you want fries?”

I snap back to my order.

“Yes please.”

“That’ll be thirty-four dollars.” She frowns. “Oh, shit. I mean. I can make a combo out of one of those. Give me a second.”

“No problem.”

A short, dark, well-built man waves his hand despite Dee standing right in front of him.

“Hey, Delaney.”

Her name’s Delaney? It’s her diner. No wonder I couldn’t find her when I searched on social media. I don’t know if just knowing her name was Delaney and not Dee would have been enough, but it wouldn’t have hurt.

“Yes?”

“Could I get a mac and cheese?” He beams. I know that look. It was almost permanent on my face in the weeks when I tried to convince Delaney to go out with me. A simple look from her, and my whole body reacted.

“Wasn’t the hot dog enough?”

He pats his stomach. “You know how I feel about your food.”

She turns back toward the kitchen. “Trina, can I get a mac and cheese for Damon?”

“Sure thing.”

Delaney smiles at him, and I know that look too. It doesn’t hit her eyes, and she gives him much, much less than the full smiling experience I remember.

“Sir?”

I turn back to the woman serving me. “Sorry. I was miles away.”

One end of her mouth quirks. “I understand. I was saying that’s thirty dollars.”

I reach into my pocket and pull out my wallet. Mindy arranged some New Zealand dollars before I left the States, and as my stomach grumbles, I’m incredibly grateful once again for her.

“Give me a second. I’m not really familiar with these.”

“If you’ve got a green note and a blue note, that’ll do.”

I nod, pulling out the coloured notes. For the first time, her gaze hits mine, and I know the moment she recognises me because her mouth falls open.

“Shit. Forget it. It’s on the house.”

“Jo? Everything okay?” Delaney turns from the little girl and heads toward us.

Jo hasn’t dropped her gaze from me, but she nods as Delaney approaches her.

“I’ll pay for it. You’re one of my favourite actors ever.” Jo’s breathless.

Delaney seems completely focused on Jo, and ignores me.

“You really don’t have to,” I protest.

“I do.” Jo’s chest heaves as she looks at me. I’ll never get used to this.