Learning to Love Christmas

Chapter 5

V: Everglade

December 2, 2013

“Have a nice day.” I smiled at the customer. “Enjoy.”

He smiled back before going back out to the snow. We were supposed to clock out half an hour ago but once again the people who were supposed to cover the night shift didn’t show up. The four of us were stuck cleaning tables for the night instead of doing our homework and to make it worse, it was a school night.

“I am so sorry guys.” Jo apologized for the hundredth time. “You’ll get a raise, I promise.”

“Don’t sweat it Jo.” Gavin said, carrying a tray of dirty cups and plates to the kitchen.

“Yeah, we don’t have anything better to do anyway.” Oliver shrugged as he cleared a table.

 Jo beamed. “Great! Dinner’s on me then. What do you guys want?” Without waiting for our answer she decided on pizza since it was most likely what we would say. She got her purse and put her coat on then went to endure the merciless cold weather.

“Did you hear that?” Carol said, coming up from behind me and Gavin while we were stacking mugs behind the counter. “He didn’t mind staying here.”

I smiled smugly and shot Gavin a look. He looked over to Oliver who was politely making small talk to an old lady then to me and Carol. “He has manners now. So what?”

“He’s tolerating Mrs Doyle, the resident chatterbox. That’s a major improvement from shouting at an equally annoying kid last Friday.” Carol smiled.

“Don’t get all cocky now, C.” Gavin made ‘tsk’ sound. “It’ll hurt your ego a lot more when you lose.”

She rolled her eyes in response then went back to the cash register to serve the tolerable line of teenagers. Oliver was in charge of helping back here while Gavin and I have the tables covered.

I put the half empty mug on the tray and the tissues and torn sugar packets before I got my dish rag and wiped the surface of the table clean.

“Alright, Winters.” Gavin said suddenly appearing beside me. He looked at me with narrowed eyes. “What’s your secret?”

“What secret?” I questioned innocently though inside I was laughing at him.

“Did you bribe him? Promise him a date or something?” He asked.

“What?” I gave him a look. “I would never do that.”

He was quiet for a while until his eyes lit up as realization dawned on him. “He likes you!”

I laughed in amusement and patted him on the shoulder as I turned to take the tray to the bus bin. “Think what you want Gavin, it doesn’t mean it’s true.”

“It makes perfect sense though.” He called to me. “If you think about it.”

“Yeah, whatever.” I rolled my eyes as I made my way back to the counter.

“What were you and Gavin laughing about?” Oliver said as he made a cup of caramel macchiato.

“He told me that the only reason you’re warming up to the season is because you like me. Can you believe that?” I smiled, amused.

His face was blank for a second before he laughed and said, “Not likely. I’m doing this so I can lure you into my house and shove you in the oven so I can eat you.”

I gave him a look which he shrugged off with a smile. “A little girl begged me to read Hansel and Gretel to her an hour ago.”

“Cute.” I smiled as he handed me a tall frappuccino and a cup of coffee.