Raison D'être

Surprise Visit

Anastasia

"You look like you just won a million dollars?"

"Oh please, can't someone just have a good morning?"

"This early? Never," I tsk, ignoring Carla before going into the locker to change. Carla busts the door open just as I button my top.

"So, did you ask your boss yet?"

"Ask him what?"

"Did you forget?" My mind goes blank trying to think of what I could have forgotten.

"I have to have some idea of what we're talking about Carla," I say, walking out the door and going behind the counter.

"The BBQ. Meeting Diego?" Oh, crud.

"Shoot, I did forget. I'm so sorry Carla."

"Ugh, it's fine. I had a feeling your hot boss would distract you anyways."

I ignore Carla's remarks and make a pot of coffee. "I really wish I could go, but I can't just notify him so late and I don't have anything to wear."

"Oh girl, don't worry about the dress. I'll pick you up, so- wait. Is that a new phone?" as she picks it out of my pocket. "Well look at you..."

"I didn't buy it, Lorenzo gave it to me."

"Oh giving gifts now?" She smirks with a suggestive eye

I scoff, "no, he just gives them to his employees."

"Mhm," as she puts in her phone number, she gives the phone back, "here type in the address."

"Carla, what would I say to him?"

"Use the charm that got you this phone. Now here. Type."

Typing the address, I click send and a ping comes from Carla's phone. "Jeez, your place is kinda far," as she looks over the address.

"Yea, it's a bit of a drive. That's all the more reason I shouldn't go, you'll be late to your boyfriend's event."

"You are going. I'm not going to be there without you. Please, I just want you to meet him. Once you get bored, tired, uncomfortable, anything I'll let you leave," she gives me her puppy dog look.

I huff before finally agreeing, "okay."

"Yay! You won't regret it I promise."

I shake my head as I walk over to a customer who just walked in. As more and more customers poured in for breakfast hour, I was left exhausted.

Looking over at the clock, there are 30 minutes left of this shift and I'm free. The bell rings as men in business suits with salt and peppered hair walk in.

Going over to their table I give the usual greeting. "Hello, I will be your server today. What can I start you gentlemen off with today?"

A man who looks to be in his mid-forties smirks before responding, "a tall glass of you."

Despite being used to this attention, from either people my age or boys younger, I'm not used to men double my age. Awkwardly smiling, I ask "anything else?"

The rest of the men chuckle, "aw come on doll, don't like what you see?"

"More like lack of," before glancing over to his bald spot. When will no ever be enough?

The cacophony of laughter erupts, as bald spot grunts, "no need to be a bitch lady."

Annoyed, I walk away, clearly not getting anywhere with this table. Before I get the chance to go he grabs my wrist. Maybe what I've been learning the past couple of days kicked in because I elbowed him. In the throat. I've never hit a customer before. Ever. My first instinct is to apologize until familiar laughter reverberates through my body. The only laughter that has coursed through my body as sensually as his does.