Becoming Us (COMPLETE)

*Eighteen*

"If you stare at the door harder, do you think he'll appear?" Mandy leaned against the counter with a chuckle.

"I'm willing it to happen." I squinted hard at the entrance and laughed. "One of Tre's employees has a tummy bug, and he's had to work more than usual. He wasn't sure if he'd be able to come."

"That man was just here two days ago. Aren't you the one that didn't even want to date him?"

I set my elbows on the counter and rested my chin on my palms. Of course yesterday and today, when he wasn't here, things had been slow to the point of boring. "I'm so glad you pushed me. Tre's amazing."

"It's nice seeing you smile all the time. Good for tips too!" She cackled and dropped the container of clean silverware and a pile of large napkins on the counter.

Five minutes into rolling a spoon, fork, and knife into each paper square, I spotted Tre crossing the street. Butterflies fluttered inside me, my cheeks warmed, and my heart rate picked up. I couldn't believe the things this man did to me, just by existing.

The bells jingled and Mandy looked up with a huff. "Damn. You think you could will some cash into showing up?"

I grinned as Tre crossed the dining room, smiling at me. "Hey, baby." He leaned over the counter for a kiss I wished was longer. Tipping his chin at Mandy, he said, "How's it going?"

"Slowly." She glanced around the empty dining room. "I'll go see if Carlos needs any help in the back. Get me if someone comes in."

"Thanks, Mandy."

The kitchen door swung shut behind her and there was no way to control my smile. I stood on tiptoe to lean over the counter and wrap my fingers around the back of Tre's neck, pulling him closer. As soon as our mouths touched, his tongue teased my lips. Our breath mingled as his hand cupped my jaw and our kiss became my only thought.

I whimpered, and he inched back, pressing his forehead to mine. "We need to stop. Unless you think Carlos would be okay with me laying you on this counter and pulling more of those little sounds from you?"

My skin heated at the thought, and I giggled. "He's cool, but not that cool."

Tre clicked his cheek and leaned back but kept his hold on my face. His thumb traced my cheekbone. "It's probably for the best. I have to go, and you know I like to take my time."

Tingles filled my chest, but I frowned at his words. "You're not staying for lunch?"

"Not today. I just rushed over between classes. Actually, I still have to finish setting up the next one."

"You drove all the way here, just for this?"

His eyebrows pulled together. "Baby, this is what I've been waiting for since I woke up this morning. I'd rather stay longer, but I'll take what I can get."

"Me too."

He straightened with a sigh and scratched the back of his head. "I'm sorry, but I have to work again tomorrow, and I won't have much time between classes. I've got a couple of field trips coming."

"Oh, okay." I tried not to let my disappointment show.

"I'll see you when you get off work, though, right?"

The reminder of our weekend together brightened my mood. "Yep. Will you have to work over the weekend?"

"I already switched the schedule around in case Imani's not feeling better. I'm not missing your days off." He kissed my cheek. "Call me when you're headed home, okay?"

"I will."

He pulled me in for one more kiss before he turned and walked out the door. As he crossed the street in a few long strides, all I could think was, how did I get so lucky?