Always Yesterday by Jeri Odell

family.”
    “Nope.” And I never will.
    Sue came by and refilled his cup. “It’s good to finally see you here with someone.” She smiled at Delanie. “We’d convinced ourselves the man was a hermit.”
    Delanie returned her smile and rubbed her tummy. “No. He’s got me and the baby.”
    “Good for you,” she said and winked at Eli.
    “So you don’t bring your women here?” Delanie whispered.
    He shook his head. Always fishing.
    “I’ve never been to this diner before,” Delanie said, her gaze roving. Then she focused on him. “Are you married?”
    “Nope.”
    “Me either.”
    As if he cared.
    “Ever been?”
    He stared into those tranquil eyes and debated answering. Might as well. She probably won’t let up until I do. “Nope.”
    “Me neither.”
    The waitress set his usual in front of him and a spinach omelet in front of Delanie. She scrunched her nose at his huevos rancheros . “How can you eat that this early in the morning?”
    “How can you talk so much this early in the morning?” he countered.
    She grinned, apparently undaunted by his intended dig. Sometimes her beauty nearly stole his breath. Her skin glowed with peaches-and-cream perfection. The kiss from yesterday floated to the forefront of his mind, and he wanted to repeat it. No wonder he steered clear of all women; he obviously had no willpower whatsoever. Clearing his throat, he hoped to clear his thoughts, as well.
    “My brother sometimes orders the same Mexican egg dish, but yours looks different.” She pointed at his plate with her fork.
    “It’s served in a tortilla.”
    “And smothered in hot sauce,” she noted.
    Eli decided that since peace and quiet didn’t appear to be an option, they might as well at least discuss work—a safer topic than his personal life. “I think I might have gotten a lead last night.”
    Delanie laid down her fork and leaned forward.
    “I was at the Burger House up by where I live.” She nodded, and he recounted the incident. “I had hoped to see them climb into a car so I could ID the vehicle, but they were nowhere to be seen. I searched both sides of the parking lot. The guys thought the girl went to their middle school a couple of years ago. Said she was in eighth when they were in sixth grade, so that would probably make her a sophomore. I thought I could get the police artist to sketch both her and the man with her. Might be our first lead.”
    Delanie chewed her lower lip, appearing deep in thought. “We could search all of the local attorney Web sites and see if we can find a picture that matches.”
    “Good plan. I also thought we’d visit Clayton Middle School and see if the principal or anyone else recognizes the girl.”
    “Okay.” Delanie pushed away more than half of her breakfast. “I think I’ll ditch this huge obstruction”—she looked down—“and put on my jeans. I don’t know how women manage this.”
    Sue refilled Eli’s coffee a third time. “You didn’t like your omelet, honey?”
    “No, it was delicious—just too much.”
    “You’re eating for two now. You’d better pick it up a notch,” she warned and cleared Delanie’s plate. “And you—you never leave a scrap behind.” She grabbed Eli’s empty plate.
    “How often do you come here?” Delanie asked, crawling out of the booth. He offered her a hand and pulled her to her feet.
    “Hey, you never get up and fix me breakfast.” Eli grabbed the check. “A man’s got to eat.”
    Delanie’s cheeks turned a pink shade. He wrapped his arm around her and nuzzled her ear while Rosie rang up their ticket. She eyed Delanie over her bifocals. “You’d best feed your man, honey. Otherwise somebody else will. Just ask my ex.”
    “Thanks. I’ll remember that.” Delanie glanced at him.
    He leaned in and kissed her—slow, soft, sweet.
    “Ahem.” The hostess got their attention and held out Eli’s change.
    He grabbed Delanie’s hand and led her out the door. Halfway to the car Eli said, “I