Immaculate

The Sang Schedule

The Diner was quiet until about 7ish. More people came in and I got busier behind the counter, sorting out the drinks, taking payments etc. I was taking an order of drinks for Luke when Alice came up, tying the black apron around her waist that had Bob's Diner emblazoned on it.

"Hey, kids," she said cheerily. "Seems to have picked up in time for my shift, typical."

I knew she worked here, but it hadn't occurred to me that she would be here tonight. I smiled at her, placing the tray with the drinks Luke wanted onto the counter.

"How's your foot?" I asked her, Luke had his eyes fixed on me as she leant forwards onto the counter.

"Completely healed thanks to Dr Green," she laughed and looked at Luke. "Uncle not here again?"

"No," he shook his head but said no more, his eyes still on me but I refused to meet his eyes. I wasn't sure that I would be able to cover how I felt about him and I knew that Alice was smart. She knew I double dated Gabriel and North, she didn't need to know that it included Luke as well.

A customer came up to the counter and I moved away thankfully. Luke took the tray and moved off. Alice watched me as I took payment, the tip going into the jar on the counter.

"Alice, get to work," North said coming up beside me. "Tables four and five need clearing."

"Jesus, North, keep your hair on," she snorted and rolled her eyes at me. I looked up at North when he put his hand on my lower back.

"You get a ten minute break now, come out to me. Ok?"

I nodded at him and then he was moving away into the kitchen, I looked back at her but she was taking a tray of cleaning equipment from under the counter. She looked up at me and winked.

"You look good together," she said with a smile as she walked off. The knott unwound in my stomach that I hadn't even realised was there. The tension left me and I sighed heavily.

Luke came over, I could see the concern in his eyes, but I smiled at him and shook my head, telling him not to worry.

"North says I have a break, who's taking over from me."

"Ryan," he said. "You go on, I'll be out in a moment."

I nodded and went into the kitchen. I could see North sitting at the table reserved for staff by the back door. He had three mugs and three bowls of fruit salad there waiting. He pulled me down beside him and his arm went around my shoulders.

"I forgot Alice was on shift tonight," he murmured. "I would have warned you."

"It's fine." I stroked my fingers slightly over his hand on my shoulder and he pressed a kiss to my temple. "I've met her a few times now. I like her, she's nice."

"Yeah?" He looked down at me as Luke slid into the seat opposite. "Even though I used to.." he faded out and I nodded.

"It's your past, isn't it?" I murmured and watched as Luke produced a bottle of chocolate sauce that I had missed up till now. I realised how concerned North was when he made no mention, not even when Luke reached over and put a big dollop of sauce on top of my fruit. I caught Luke's eyes and he winked slyly at me.

"Fuck, Sang Baby, it was over before I met you," he grunted and I caught his hand again and squeezed it.

He slid his arm from my shoulders and put it around my waist, dragging me into him, his lips pressed to the top of my head now.

"You're amazing, Sang baby, if I had to work alongside one of your ex boyfriends I'd be castrating him if he even looked at you."

"But I trust you, North," I told him seriously. "And there are no ex boyfriends."