Jayme walked into the restaurant, trying to act casual. She knew going there again was stupid, but she couldn’t stay away.

The hostess greeted her with a smile of recognition and asked if anyone would be joining her. Jayme told her she would be alone that night and was shown to a quiet table in the back. She picked up her menu and pretended she was there for something to eat when really her stomach felt like it would reject anything she put in it.

It was silly really, being so nervous about a guy. Jayme dealt with guys all day every day, but none inspired the same feelings in her that Kurt did. She couldn’t explain it, but she wanted him. And for the first time in her life she wasn’t going to back down from what she wanted.

She saw him from across the room, coming out of the kitchen. He was wearing his uniform, black dress shirt with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, black pants, black shoes, and black apron. Jayme understood the outfit, she’d worked enough waitressing jobs in college to know restaurants wanted their servers to blend into the background, especially nice places like that one. But Kurt didn’t blend, he stood out. His olive skin seemed to pick up the nuances in the black he wore and his brilliant green eyes shined, even in the dim lighting. His sandy hair would be ordinary on most men, but on him… it was the cherry on top of a perfect sundae.

Jayme watched as Kurt moved through the tables toward her. He didn’t seem to notice her and he got closer and closer to her. She wasn’t sure if she was even in his section, but she’d hoped she was. The last time she was in she had requested him for her group and Jayme figured the hostess remembered that.

Kurt stepped up to the table, distracted. He said, “Good evening, my name is Kurt and I’ll be taking care of you tonight. Can I start you off with something to drink?”

He finally looked up at her when he finished speaking and a grin spread over his lips. Jayme’s matched his, equally thrilled that he was pleased to see her and that she’d done the right thing going there.

“Jayme,” he breathed. “I didn’t know you were coming here tonight.” Kurt glanced at the other seat of her table and his eyes flashed back to hers. “Will someone be joining you tonight?”

Jayme shook her head. “No, I’m here alone tonight.” She silently added that she was hoping not to leave alone but thought she should save that tidbit for later.

“I didn’t know when I’d see you again. I’m glad you’re here.”

“You look like you’re having a bad night,” she said.

Kurt glanced behind him toward the kitchen. “The owner is here tonight. He usually doesn’t come in and it’s putting everyone on edge. It he shows up it’s usually because he’s going to change something.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. Maybe I should come back another night.”

“No, please don’t. It’s nice to see a friendly face out here. Plus, I’ve… I’ve been thinking about you.”

Jayme ducked her head with her blush. She knew they had a connection. The first time she’d been there for dinner he kept looking at her and winked at her. She wanted to leave her number but hadn’t been brave enough. She told her best friend, Beth, about him and Beth insisted they go there for dinner so she could check Kurt out herself. Beth thought Jayme should give him her number that night, but Jayme felt awkward flirting with Beth sitting right there.

“I’ve been thinking about you too,” she whispered.

Kurt smiled at her and reached his hand toward her face. She closed her eyes and leaned into him, feeling his hand on her skin for the first time. His palm was warm and soft and made her body feel the same way. Heat circled her body, like it didn’t know where to settle, and she knew she’d made the right choice going to see him.

“I’m sorry, but I’ve got to get your order and work. I’d love to sit and talk to you, but I just can’t right now.”

“I know. Um, what time do you get off work tonight?”

Kurt smiled again and said, “Nine.”

Jayme nodded and said okay. Kurt repeated the word and they both knew their first date was set.

Jayme ordered her dinner and a glass of wine, enjoying watching Kurt work for a while. The night seemed to be dragging on, but at least she was in the same room as him instead of wondering if he was thinking of her. Every time he was close enough he would wink at her or smile at her. He was just as excited about their date as she was.

When nine o’clock finally rolled around Jayme paid her bill and left him a big tip. She smiled as she walked out the front of the restaurant and headed toward her car.

The evening was still warm, the cold not yet hitting even though they were halfway through September. Since Kurt hadn’t said where they would meet she leaned against her car in the well-lit parking lot knowing he would be able to see her.

The door pushed open and the noise from the restaurant spilled out into the night, drawing Jayme’s eyes. Kurt was standing there, looking around, as he shrugged into a black leather jacket. His eyes finally found her and he started toward Jayme with a smile.

When he reached her he grabbed her hand and held it loosely in his. They both stared at their linked fingers before bringing their eyes up to each other. “Why did you come in tonight?”

Jayme shrugged. “I wanted to see you. I know we don’t know each other, but I…”

“Feel like I do,” Kurt supplied for her. Jayme nodded with her shrug. “It’s crazy, isn’t it?”

“I never do crazy,” Jayme told him. She still wasn’t sure what she was doing with a complete stranger in the middle of a parking lot at night, let alone holding his hand and wiling to do whatever he wanted to do.

A slow grin spread over Kurt’s face. “Then let me show you how to be crazy. Let’s go.”

He pulled Jayme across the parking lot to his motorcycle. She hesitated before getting on, and held on tight while Kurt drove off. Toward Crazy.

Kurt and Jayme will be back next week. Where do you think they’re going to end up?