Citrus [completed]

Chapter 24

It hadn't been an easy shift. The minute I had clocked in, we had been packed. I had immediately been put to work as Edwin, Lucy, and I were running to fill out orders and work back in the kitchen cooking the food.

I was aware that Vanessa and the others were at the usual table but every time I tried to step towards them, someone else needed help. It didn't help that tips were shit that night, the register was down and customers were more rowdy than usual. The long shift was proving to be a harder one as a customer brought up broken glass. I have one stolen moment when nobody rushes towards the bar to order anything, I slip underneath the bar and jog over towards where Blair, Eden, and Vanessa sit. They're having a fun night, throwing back drinks, and having a good time.

When I approach, Vanessa is the first to notice me and her eyes light up. The sight of it causes me to bend down and attach my lips to hers, happy to take a few seconds in my Vanessa bubble. It's a short sweet kiss, more for speed than to sit and enjoy but it was lovely all the same. Her lips taste like alcohol and I know I have become addicted to them. I pull away, leaning onto the back of her chair to stay close. Vanessa, fine with the lack of space, reaches back and rests her hand on my arm.

"You guys are super busy," Blair notes with a worried look. She has to lightly yell over the sound of the music and I nod, tired.

"This rush has been horrible," I groan, rubbing at the back of my strained neck.

"It could be because The Hole is temporarily closed for the weekend for renovations," Eden shares his information. The news that it might be like this for the next two days causes me to groan and hang my head. Lucy, however, must be in the back of the kitchen, living it up.

I opened my mouth to ask them about how their nights were going, but it seemed like my terrible shift was nowhere near over.

"Yo, Jamie," I hear called behind me. I look back to see Edwin with an annoyed expression on his face walking towards me, "That table over there only wants you to take their order,"

In confusion, I turn my head towards where his thumb is jerking behind him. Usually, we were split into two different sides of the bar, and I had never had anyone request for me specifically. I freeze in my spot as my stomach rolls. A pair of catty eyes watch my every move.

There at the table sits Angel and two of her friends, all staring at me and Edwin. I almost don't hear him as he keeps ranting about the table, "They were determined to piss me off, demanding for you. You want it?" He asks.

His agitated voice causes my eyes to slowly come towards him and I nod once, feeling like I'm in a haze. I have no idea how to handle this situation. If I say no, Angel could end up throwing a huge fit and cause Edwin to lose his mind, therefore losing his job, If I said yes, I would have to deal with Angel. A lose-lose situation.

I feel Vanessa's unhappy gaze as she takes in what's happening and the table's mood dramatically shifts downwards as everyone becomes aware of what's happening. Best to take care of this before Blair or Vanessa had the bright idea to walk over themselves.

"I got it," I say quietly as I push off Vanessa's chair and reluctantly start heading that way.

"Jamie," I hear Blair start and I turn back towards the table, "Stay here," I say with finality as I turn back around.

I feel like I'm marching to a death sentence but I hope it doesn't show. No matter how much I drag my feet, I inch closer to the table where Angel is leaning onto her chair watching me. She stares up at me with a catty smile and I look down on her, thinking back to everything that's happened between us. I reach into my apron and decide the best play is to act like nothing is happening.