In the picturesque town of Leavenworth, Washington, 27-year-old Sofie Bennett leads a life marked by its comforting predictability. As a sweet-natured waitress at The Alpine Tavern-a cozy haven where locals come together for hearty meals and lively...
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The lunch rush is usually my favorite part of the day—customers buzzing with conversation, the clatter of dishes, and the smell of fresh burgers filling the air. But today, everything feels muted. My smile doesn't reach my eyes, and the usual bounce in my step is nowhere to be found. I try to focus on the orders, the customers, anything to keep my mind off last night, but it's no use. I can't shake the hollow feeling in my chest.
Salice notices first, of course. "Hey, chica," she says as she passes by with a tray balanced effortlessly on one hand, "you doing okay? You've been quieter than usual."
I force a smile, but it's weak. "I'm fine," I lie.
She gives me a look that says she doesn't believe a word, but she doesn't push. Instead, she throws a wink my way. "If you need a laugh, just let me know. I've got a whole arsenal of terrible jokes ready."
I nod, appreciating the offer even though I don't take her up on it. As the lunch hour drags on, Ayana joins the effort to lift my spirits. She's all warmth and positivity, always ready with a kind word or a funny story, but today even her charm isn't enough to pull me out of my funk.
"You know," Ayana says during a lull, leaning on the counter beside me, "I don't know what happened, but if a guy stands you up, he's probably not worth it."
Her words are meant to comfort, but they sting a little. Ethan isn't just any guy; he's the first one I've felt anything for in a long time. And yet, there I was, sitting alone in Amees, waiting like a fool for someone who never showed up. I feel a flush of embarrassment just thinking about it.
"I guess so," I murmur, pretending to focus on wiping down the counter.
Ayana sighs and gives my shoulder a gentle squeeze. "We're here for you, Sofie. Whatever you need."
I nod again, swallowing the lump in my throat. It's not that I'm mad at Ethan—just confused. Disappointed. Hurt. Maybe he had a good reason, but without knowing what it is, all I can do is replay the scene in my mind, over and over, wondering what went wrong.
By the time the lunch hour winds down, I'm drained. My mood hasn't improved, and all I want is to get through the rest of my shift without thinking about Ethan—or seeing him. But as if the universe has other plans, he walks through the door just as I'm wrapping up.
I catch sight of him out of the corner of my eye, his tall frame cutting through the crowd. He's headed straight for the back, ready for his evening shift as the bouncer. My heart skips a beat, but I immediately force myself to look away. I can't—won't—let him see how much he's affected me.
"Just ignore him," I whisper to myself, grabbing my things. I slip out the side door, trying to make my exit as unnoticeable as possible. But before I can reach my car, I hear footsteps behind me.
"Sofie," his voice is low, gravelly, as he calls after me. "Wait."
Ethan's voice is low, almost pleading, and I hate how much it still makes my heart flutter. I quicken my pace, but he's faster, closing the distance between us in a few long strides.
