The Shield's Fate

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Vivian

One Year Later

"Viv, can you cover table 22 for me?" my co-worker asks me in a tizzy as we pass one another in the backroom. I'm pulling my hair back, prepping for a long night of waiting tables.

Today has already been a disaster. Which is why walking into a crazy Friday night at work is unsurprising in every way. After Nessa had a rough day, not wanting to do any of her assignments, I had to race to Chris's parent-teacher conference. The four teachers I talked to each told me Chris was doing well in class but seemed behind socially.

I had been reading so many parenting books and listening to podcasts, trying to understand how to help him, and it just seemed like I was falling flat at every turn.

"Yeah, sure," I tell my co-worker as I grab a few menus and burst through the backdoors of the bistro towards my table.

"Hi there! I'm Vivian, I'll be your..." my voice fades as I take in the couple sitting at table 22.

Alistair Callahan.

Someone I have considered a friend and ally the last year, but never saw outside of the compound that is the Donnelly mansion. Someone I think I've been pathetically crushing on since the first moment I saw him.

His face registers mine at the same time I register his.

"Vivi! Hey!" he smiles.

"Hello Alistair," I smile, waving a bit. I look towards his date and swallow.

She's gorgeous. Tall, perfectly toned, all legs and tits with blonde hair that looks like it was made from gold.

They're well-matched, is my first thought.

"I didn't know you worked here," he frowns quizzically.

Yeah. There's a reason for that.

I mentioned to Cal I have some side jobs, but never went into specifics about where. He never pressed, which I appreciated.

Until now. I kind of wish a big hole would open in the floor and swallow me.

Having to wait the table of the guy you are interested in on a date with another woman who looks like an Amazonian supermodel is...tough.

Especially on top of everything else today.

I'll consider this the cherry on the sundae.

"This is Janelle," he introduces the blonde to me.

"Hi there," Janelle smiles at me. Of course, she's polite, too. Damn her.

"Hi!" I smile back.

"Vivi works for the Donnellys too," Cal says simply.

I swallow, nod awkwardly, and mutter that I'll be back with some waters.

I run to the kitchen and consider asking my co-worker to take her table back, but that would be openly cowardly.

I spy Cal and his date through the window.

She reaches over and runs her perfectly manicured fingers over his forearm. She laughs at something he says, flips her long blonde hair, crosses her perfectly toned legs. I am green with envy. I look down at my own, much shorter legs, covered in the ugliest black slacks I own – I have to dress like a freaking butler for this stupid job.