All Chapters of Catch Me, Maybe: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

A few days later—Elliot showed up at the diner again.This time, it was two in the afternoon.And almost as soon as he sat down, he looked at the menu and said,“I’m having pancakes today.”Riley paused with her order pad in hand.“At two in the afternoon?”“You told me people should eat them whenever they want.”“I did.”“So I’m eating them.”Riley looked oddly pleased.“I like this. Feels like I just beat Benji.”“Am I competing with somebody I’ve never met?”“Benji refuses to accept pancakes as lunch.”“Is it fair to beat someone who doesn’t know there’s a competition?”“I’ll tell him eventually.”Elliot laughed and closed the menu.◇While they waited for the pancakes, Riley worked around the counter and talked to him whenever she was nearby.“Did you eat stuff like this when you were a kid?”“Pancakes?”“Yeah. Breakfast at home.”

Once Elliot joined them, their usual table became a little louder than normal.Most of that was Jax and Benji’s fault.Tasha sat with her coffee, occasionally stepping in to stop one of their questions and occasionally deciding it wasn’t worth the effort.Riley joined the conversation whenever work allowed, then disappeared again whenever another table needed her.“So do you go to college every day?” Benji asked.“Not every day. I have days without classes, and sometimes I have things to do for my family.”“Like work?”“I don’t officially work for them yet, but sometimes I sit in on meetings or visit one of the companies. There’s a good chance I’ll be involved in the family business eventually, so the idea is that I should start learning now.”“Do they pay you?”“No.”“I wouldn’t go.”Benji answered without hesitation.Elliot laughed.“Lately, I’ve started wondering whether I’m going because I

“Taking the bus today?”A few days later, Riley was taking off her apron after her afternoon shift when Elliot asked from his usual booth by the window.“I’m walking.”“All the way home?”“Only partway. I’m meeting Jax and the others for pizza.”Riley pulled a hoodie out of her locker.“The place Jax mentioned the other day?”“Yeah. You’re coming too, right?”“Me?”“He invited you.”“I thought he was joking.”“Jax is surprisingly serious when food is involved.”Elliot smiled.“Then I guess I’ll go.”“What about your car?”“I’ll have them pick me up afterward. I already gave my driver a time.”Riley turned toward him.“Oh.”“What?”“You decided all of that yourself before I asked.”“I’m starting to get nervous every time you check.”“That sounds like progress.”“Does it?”◇The heat had eased a little by the time they

It was less than a ten-minute walk from the pizza place to Riley’s apartment.“Here.”Riley stopped in front of an old building.Elliot looked up at it.Three stories.The exterior had been repainted in patches over the years, and the mailboxes beside the entrance were slightly crooked.“Third floor?”“Second.”“Is there an elevator?”“Nope.”Riley answered as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world.Jax laughed beside them.“There it is. Rich guy.”“I was just asking.”“It’s the second floor. Stairs are fine.”“I know. That’s why I’m already walking toward them.”“Pass.”Riley nodded.“I’m being graded for entering the building now?”“Extra grading today.”“Tough day.”Elliot laughed and followed everyone upstairs.◇On the second-floor hallway, Riley pulled out her key.“Just so you know, nobody gets to comp

The next morning—when Riley came down to breakfast, Charles was already reading the newspaper.Vivian had her coffee.Grant was checking something on his tablet, probably email.“Morning.”“Good morning, Riley.”“Good morning.”“Morning.”The three responses came one after another.Riley sat down and reached for a piece of toast.“You working at the diner today?” Charles asked as he folded his newspaper.“This afternoon. Why?”“No reason.”And with that—he took a sip of coffee.Riley didn’t think much of it and started spreading jam on her toast.A few seconds later—“Does it get busy?”“Depends on the time. Mornings and lunch can get pretty packed.”“Is it large?”“Not really. There’s a counter and some tables. I don’t know how many seats exactly. I’ve never counted.”“What’s on the menu?”“Normal diner stuff. Burgers, sandwiche