“Coffee, black,” I snap as I set the mug down in front of him a little too forcefully. Thankfully, it doesn’t spill on him. “What do you want to eat?”
He chuckles, leaning back in the booth and spreading his arms out over the entire back of the seat. Jesus, he’s huge.
“I knew you were being fake,” he says, his voice smug and I blink, my anger returning full force. One thing I’m not is fake.
“Excuse me?”
“Before, that sweet voice you used on me was fake.”
“I think the word you’re looking for,” I spit, crossing my arms over my chest. “Is polite.”
He laughs, flashing me a brilliant smile and my insides turn to mush. Oh, hell, what is happening to me right now?
“I meant what I said. It was fake.”
Mia laughs quietly behind me and I suck in a breath, trying to calm myself before I go off on this poor unsuspecting man. He really has no idea who he’s dealing with. Planting my hands on his table, I lean forward, locking eyes with him.
“Maybe it was but it’s because I have to deal with douchebags like you all day long and I have bills to pay. Now, what the fuck do you want to eat?”
“Tate!” Roger yells through the dining room and I flinch as everyone turns to look at me and silence descends. I force a smile to my face, pushing off the table.
“Excuse me.”
Everyone’s eyes are on me as I walk into the back and trudge to Roger’s office. I know that I went too far but there’s just something about the man at table thirteen that riles me up in the worst way.
“What were you thinking?” Roger asks, sighing as he walks into the office behind me and I sink into a chair. “I know you’re having a tough time lately but you cannot talk to customers like that.”
“I know, Roger, but did you see what a prick he was being to me?”
“It doesn’t matter. You will go out there and apologize to him.”
Do I really need this damn job?
The thought crosses my mind for only a moment before I realize that without something to do everyday, I would lose my ever-lovin’ mind and for the most part, I do enjoy this job.
“Fine,” I snap, shoving myself out of the chair. I will go out there and apologize but I’m done waiting on him. Walking back to the hallway, I press my shoulders against the tile and take a few deep breaths, trying to calm down before walking through the door. As soon as I’m behind the counter, I feel his gaze on me again.
“You fired?” Mia asks and I shake my head.
“No. I have to go apologize to him and as soon as I do, will you take that table?”
“Are you sure?”
I nod. “Yeah.”
Turning back to the dining room, I square my shoulders and suck in a breath before marching over to his table and pasting a smile on my face.
“Sir, please accept my apology. I’m having just about the worst week of my life and I was out of line earlier.”
He arches a brow and I continue staring at him, unsure of how much more he wants from me. Finally, he sighs.
“To apologize, you actually have to say the words “I’m sorry”.”
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Five.
“Sir,” I say through gritted teeth. “ I am so sorry. Please accept my apology. My behavior was incredibly rude and it’s been a terrible week for me.”
He nods. “It’s forgotten.”
“Thank you. Our other waitress tonight will be taking over for me.” I turn to leave but he reaches out and grabs my hand, sending a zap of electricity down my spine. My eyes widen as I turn back to him.
“I don’t want the other waitress. I want you.”
I want you.
The words rattle around in my brain, conjuring up images that I have absolutely no business thinking. I can’t look away from him as I search for an appropriate thing to say that won’t get me fired but my mind isn’t working as quickly as usual with his warm grip on my wrist.
“I’m…uh, I’m afraid that’s not possible. Again, I’m so sorry.” I rip my arm out of his grasp and retreat into the back as Mia follows me.
“That last part looked intense. What did he say?”
I shake my head. “Nothing important. I think he’s ready to order, though.”
“Okay,” she chirps before practically bouncing out from behind the counter. If he didn’t like my sweet voice, he’s going to hate hers. That gives me a little satisfaction and I smile as I make my way back out to the dining room to check on my other tables.
One of my regulars, Devlin, walks in and I smile as he saunters up to the counter.
“Tate! You’re back!”
I laugh, nodding. “I am. Where do you want to sit today, Devlin?”
“Right here is good,” he answers, pointing to one of the open seats at the counter and I meet him there with a menu and silverware. Devlin is probably in his mid-fifties and handsome as can be. He’s been one of my regulars pretty much since I started here, coming in a few times a week.
“So, how have you been, Dev?” I ask, propping my elbows on the counter and he grins.
“Missin’ you, Darlin’.”
I laugh, swatting his shoulder playfully. Devlin has always been sweet to me and even a little flirty but I know it’s all in good fun. He’s told me many times about the woman he loved who died and you can see it in his eyes that he’ll never get over her. It’s honestly a little inspiring.
“You’re such a damn flirt. You want your usual today?”
“Mm,” he hums, glancing down at the menu. “Bring me a sweet tea and give me a minute to look things over.”
I nod. “You got it.”
I spin around to get his sweet tea and catch table thirteen watching me again as Mia walks behind the counter. “Damn, that man is grumpy.”
“Looks like he’s got eyes for Tate,” Rico, one of the other guys in the kitchen, says and I roll my eyes but don’t say anything.
I pour Devlin’s sweet tea and set it down in front of him as he continues studying the menu. While I wait for his order, I seat two other tables in my section and get their drink orders.
“You ready, Dev?” I ask when I get back to the counter and he nods, handing me back the menu.
“I think I’m feeling the BLT today if Shaun can hook me up with a little extra bacon.”
“I got you, big man,” Shaun calls out, pointing to him and Devlin smiles.
“Coming right up,” I tell him and glance up as a few more people sit at my tables, quickly losing myself in work.
* * * *
Glancing up at the clock, I sigh. My shift ends in five minutes and I’m ready to go back to Mom’s house and crash. As I scrub the counter clean, I wonder how long it will take before I can start thinking of it as my house instead of Mom’s. I spent most of my childhood there so why now is it all of the sudden not my home? I feel like I can’t change anything or move things because Mom will be home any minute and she likes her house the way it is.
“Looks like your secret admirer finally bailed,” Shaun says and I look at him before turning toward the dining room. Table thirteen is finally empty and I sigh. He sat there through most of my shift and alternated between reading the newspaper, working on something, and watching me. He was never obvious about it but I knew each time his eyes would find me across the dining room and I spent a good part of the night wondering what his deal is. I mean, who just sits in a diner for seven and a half hours?