Breached

CH 5: Small World

           

I walked into work and almost crashed into Tarynn.

            "I saw that, Kim, tell me everything."

            "Saw what? You were really drunk, Tarynn." I told her.

            She slapped my shoulder and glared at me. "Don't play stupid. I still saw you kiss Derek! Now why did you not tell me the details?!"

            I gave up on trying to make her forget what she saw. Tears welled up in my eyes. "It shouldn't have happened." I said quietly.

            "What did he do to you, Kim?"

            "Nothing! That's the problem here. He did nothing but he did everything! Tarynn, he is my rival. I can't love him."

            "But?"

            I clocked in and talked. "Once I really think about it... He has been nothing but sweet to me. When I punched him in fourth grade... When I yelled at him in his office... He even didn't try to argue with me when I told him to leave."

            "Kim, I am sure all he wants is the best for you. I could tell by the way he looked at you. He cares about you a lot."

            I shook my head. "It can't work. Not with him."

            Tarynn was about to say something else but I spotted Amy coming our way. I hurried towards the map to see what tables I was assigned to that day.

            I saw a hostess seat a couple in my section so I hurried over with my fake smile and tried to keep up the persona that I was okay.

            "Good afternoon you two! It's been a while!" I said shakily. Great. I was already off to a good start.

            "Oh, hey, Kim!" Glasses Boy answered.

            I didn't ever learn his name but Glasses Boy was a regular at this restaurant. I didn't really notice that until one night where it was crazy busy. We were understaffed which didn't help our case. There was a table of high school boys that were acting more than crazy. I just had gotten their orders and was just about to turn and leave when the blonde one grabbed my hand.

            "You know, you're super crazy hot." He said coolly.

            I nodded once, smiled and gave him a smile. "Thanks." I said, trying to keep the conversation short. I tried to walk off when the redhead then slapped my butt and the whole group laughed.

            I turned around with a balled fist when someone was standing between me and the boys.

            "How about you leave the lady alone? She is way out of your league anyways." He gave me a wink that the boys couldn't see and I gave him a relieved look. I was able to walk away and it didn't take long before I saw that the man and the group of boys were gone.

            I ran back to the table and pulled over a passing waitress. "Hey, Nicole, where did they go?"

            She shrugged. And told me that the boy and his friends dragged the high schoolers away. "At least he gave you a tip."

            I checked the table and saw that the drinks were paid for in full and at least two times that amount in tips was sitting on the table.

            The next time he came in, he was with his girlfriend and I was able to confront him about the whole encounter. He brushed it off and told me he didn't need to see a fight break out after coming to the restaurant for years. Ever since then, I have managed to be his waitress when he came in. He insists he is not requesting me.