The Recipe of Us.

bonus | riley's goodbye

「 giovanni」
My mind wandered aimlessly as I wiped down the tables. It was almost like clockwork: come in at 6, prepare the stations for the cooks, wipe down tables, refill juice and sauce stations, open the shop.

It was nothing new to me.

But it was never the same. I don't sleep anymore and I spend endless hours busying myself with anything to avoid my thoughts.

I mean I could never sleep anyways but every time I close my eyes I see her screaming at me as she stood in the pouring rain.

She looked so beautiful but so broken.

The back door opened and for some reason I turned around expecting to see her face.

"What's up with you?" Amelia asked as she stared at me weirdly. "You shouldn't be here," I mumbled as I returned to wiping tables.

"Why are you so angry with me? I'm the one looking after your-"

"Just stop it!" I growled as I loudly banged the table and I turned to look at her and she looked scared. I didn't care.

"Stop using that as an excuse." I muttered.

"I know you're upset about your girlfriend-"

"Ex-girlfriend."

"Yeah, her. But you made a mistake. Punishing me won't change it and it sure as hell won't make you feel better," She argued as she pointed in my face and befofe resting her hand on her visible bump.

I am excited to be a father.

I have always wanted a family and the endless possibilities that come with it. But more than anything, I want it all with Riley.

I hide my resentment from Amelia but she cannot know how I truly feel. If she knows what's good for herself and our child, she would walk away now.

"You already hurt her. Don't push away the last person in your corner," She advised and before I knew it she was gone and left through the back.

I returned back to wiping tables and thoughts of Riley clouded my senses.

The last thing I remember is kissing her in the middle of nowhere. Everything I've ever wanted to say was in that moment. Flashes of our relationship passed through my mind, especially the good parts.

My arm gripped the side of the table as I repeatedly wiped the already clean table but I couldn't stop.

The bell at the front door jingled but my mind was on nothing but her. "We're closed!" I said monotonously.

My arm wiped the table in a rhythmic motion, like the way I used to take her...

"Yeah, I read the sign."

Her voice broke my trance and I stood upright and gripped the rag in my hand. That girl will never know the effect she has on me, hell the effect she has when she walks into any room.

All eyes are literally on her. Even her weird stalker friend Nolan is obsessed with her.

"Hey. Did you wanna talk?" I said and I wanted to hit myself for being so nervous. Riley always has a strong front but deep down she's vulnerable and shy and that's what I love about her.

I love how she relies on me to protect her and care for her. Well, relied.

She sat in the booth and her hands clasped in front of her as she stared at me with those innocent eyes that made me wanna forget everything that happened and have my way with her in the back room. Even just kissing her again would be enough.