The Apple Tree by Kara Jimenez

mean, I know there are good ones out there.” She shrugged. “I just like to move slowly.”
    Kate scooped up a handful of pineapple. “That sucks, but I guess I get it.”
    Bianca bit her lip. “Besides, doesn’t Peter seem sort of… intimidating? I mean, he’s sexy and suave but, it’s like he’s so charming… he’s trouble.”
    “ Um, yeah. The good kind of trouble.” Kate nudged her with an elbow.
    Bianca turned and leaned against the peach colored countertop. “There’s a good kind?”
    Kate rolled her eyes. “Of course, there’s a good kind.” She glanced out the window. “Speaking of hot guys who are totally into you.” Her finger pointed at a blue truck in the parking lot. Levi climbed out and walked toward the door.
    Bianca gasped. “I… I don’t want to see him. I have to go to the back.” She threw the pepperoni she held back into the container.
    “ What? Why?” asked Kate.
    “ I never told you. I caught him sitting outside my apartment, spying on me.”
    Kate held out her hands. “Maybe he just likes you?”
    “ No. It was more than that. He wore sunglasses and a hat like he’d planned the whole thing and was gathering intel. Plus, I meet him in the woods, the next day he shows up at work and then he’s also outside my home. It’s creepy.”
    “ Okay, you’re right. Go in back. I’ll cover for you.” Kate waved her hand toward the door.
    Bianca disappeared just as Levi entered the restaurant. She stood in back, peeking through the crack of the kitchen door and listening.
    He stepped up to the front counter with a smile. Kate greeted him.
    “ I’ll have a small pepperoni and green pepper.” He looked around the restaurant. “Is Bianca here?”
    “ Nope, she’s not working today.” Kate almost sounded sincere.
    “ Oh really? Her bike is parked out front.” He pointed through the window to the bike rack.
    Kate avoided his eyes, concentrating instead on pushing the buttons on the beige cash register. “She left it here last night. Someone gave her a ride home, I think.”
    “ Okay.” He paid for his order and then walked to his regular table.
    Bianca cursed under her breath. Now she was stuck back here for however long it took him to eat. She leaned against the wall.
    Jeremy came out of the dough room, cardboard boxes stuck on his feet.
    “ Bianca, check it out. I’m a Pterodactyl.” He raised his arms in the air, spreading his fingers like claws while taking huge steps with his box shoes. “Roaaar! Roaaar!”
    A polite smile forced its way across her face. What did Kate see in him? Sure, he was entertaining, but he acted like a ten year old.
    She walked to the silver prep table and pretended to study the stock list when Faustino appeared.
    He gave Jeremy a look and then turned to Bianca. “The stock is done. I need you to hang out in front.”
    So much for staying out of sight. She took a deep breath and shoved the swinging door open. Shaking her head at Kate who stared at her in astonishment, she continued out to the seating area. It’d been a mistake to have Kate lie for her. She hadn’t thought it through. And it was cowardly to involve others in her problem instead of handling it herself.
    Levi smiled when he saw her. “I knew you were here. Were you hiding from me?” He looked like he suppressed a nervous laugh.
    Why did he have to be wearing such a tight shirt? It showed off every hard muscle in his chest and made her wonder what it would be like to run her hand across it. She ignored his question. “So, are you going to give me some sort of excuse for spying?”
    He looked down at his palms. “I tried to think of one, but I couldn’t come up with anything plausible. I don’t want to lie to you anyway, so I’ll just tell you the truth.” He looked straight at her. “I thought you were in danger and I wanted to keep you safe.”
    She huffed and threw up her hands. “Danger from what?”
    His gaze dropped again. “I can’t tell you. I’m