Gambling Love

12. Imogen

"Have you talked to mom?" I ask Taryn as I return to the counter. It's New Year's Eve and thankfully I have the shift for today and not tomorrow morning, I'd rather not come to work with a hangover over again.

"No," Taryn scoffs reaching a bit past Jaiden's plate to grab a napkin from the dispenser. "She tried to hook me up with one of Hank's worker's kids right after we talked to the police and you went back to the penthouse," my sister sighs and stabs her breakfast fries angrily.

"The plate is going to break if you continue," Jaiden says putting his phone down on the counter, Taryn glares at him and ignores him. I hid my smile as Jaiden tipped his head at me.

"We have insurance," I tell my sister and she rolls her eyes at me.

"Has mom contacted you?" My older sister asks, she looks as tired as I feel but I know she's hiding more than I want to know and for once I don't mind.

"No," I shake my head. "And I don't want to hear from her," I say, the bell dings, and I excuse myself before rushing to the back to grab the next order. I go around asking if people want any refills on coffee or if anyone else needs anything else before heading back to the counter.

"You happy you're working this morning?" Taryn asks lifting her head from her and Jaiden's hushed conversation.

"Very, we're going out tonight, and I'd rather not work while hungover again," I say. "What about you?" I ask.

"Yeah but I'm DD," she grumbles and I smile. I may not be as close to my sister as other siblings but she's still a lifeline for me and I enjoy our small moments together. "I was asking Jaiden here what his intentions with you are," Taryn jokes, and I raise a brow.

Jaiden leans back in his seat and crosses his arms, I can see how tired he is from behind his glasses but the lazy smirk he's sporting says otherwise to everyone around us "and?" I ask my sister.

"Confidential," Taryn shrugs.

"Are you serious?" I laugh, "you're dangling a carrot in front of me you bitch," I swat her wrist and she laughs downing her coffee.

"I'm going to use the ladies' room before leaving," she says turning in her seat and I nod. Jaiden leans on the counter again and I mimic his actions, putting my chin in my palm.

"So what really went down?" I ask him.

"She was just asking how you really were after New York, she thought you were holding back on your emotions," He tells me truthfully, I feel the sudden urge to tug on my necklace but I don't.

"Well that's nice to know," I sigh, his phone buzzes and we both look down at it, the name Rick flashes, and I immediately look at Jaiden. I see the fight in his eyes and I almost want to beg him not to go but I know he has no other option. Jaiden sighs and picks it up, he hums in response as his eyes lift up to mine.

I push up off the counter and now I play with my necklace, Jaiden eyes the movement before looking in my eyes again. My eyes flit around the diner, everyone seems content for now "yeah, I'll be there soon," Jaiden says standing up now before hanging up.

I watch him stand and pull out his wallet, "I'm running out, I'll pick you up tonight," he says roughly putting down a twenty. Before I could even speak, Jaiden is leaning forward and grabbing the back of my neck gently, pulling me toward him and kissing me, if the counter wasn't between us I'd be falling to my knees at this kiss.

He pulls away, pecks my lips gently "I'll see you tonight," he says before kissing my forehead. "Don't miss me too much," He jokes to me and I know he wants me to take the bait for a joke but I don't.