Chapter 11. Some Good News

Since then, I would often see Nathaniel at the bar during the weekends. I figured that he had a weekday job since he never came while I was on waitress duty.

He returned my sketchbook to me the next weekend after that incident, and I was grateful that he remembered.

“Here you go,” he told me. “I kept it safe.”

“Thank you,” I said, feeling relieved at having the sketchbook back in my hands again. It had really been too long. “I should treat you to a drink.”

He waved me off with a smile. “No need. I only gave this back to its rightful owner.”

I shook my head. “You made an effort to find me and to return this to me. I can’t just say ‘thank you’ as the only way to express my gratitude. After all, this sketchbook is very precious to me.”

He looked a little sheepish at this. “Well, I’ve already ordered a drink… Maybe next time?”

Next time?

I wondered if I should treat him to dinner instead, but immediately changed my mind. He was, after all, still