Catching A Cloud - Justice Carradine Fanfic

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

It was late, so he didn't expect Alex to be at work until tomorrow. Hopping out of his car, he jogged to the diner and was seated by the cute somewhat-new waitress. Introducing herself as Tanya, she sat him in a booth, gave him a menu, jotted down his drink and left for the kitchen. Tanya zipped up the tiny staircase, tapped on the door and asked the occupant to take over the waitressing duties downstairs while she took a mini-bathroom break.

"There's a new customer who needs to have his order taken."

"Ok, I'll be there in a second," Alex replied while writing her last entry in the accounting books.

Alex breezed into the dining room to get the customer's order before they upped left for bad service. Nearing the booth, Alex prepared her smile and greeted her customer with her pen and pad ready to take the order.

"Hi, have you decided what you'd like to order?" she asked then looked down at her customer. She gasped his name.

"Hey Alex." he said sheepishly

"Couldn't sleep?" she teased

"Naw, I couldn't. I didn't know you took the late shift." retorted

"I didn't. I couldn't sleep either." she smiled.

"What did you want yo eat? Breakfast or dinner?"

"Anything."

He smiled at her. "Stay with me?" he requested

She smiled back. This is nice. "When Tanya comes back from the washroom."

She's been back for a while now. The confusion in Alex's face made him chuckle.

"She set you up, didn't she?" she turned around just in time to see Tanya give her a conspiring wink, "yes I guess she did. Anyway, since she's back, I think I'll sit then."

"And have dinner?"

"Yes and have dinner."

"What are we going to have?"

"Light meal or heavy?"

"Anything in between." He smiled

I could get use to this she thought and smiled back, as she was dazzled by his good mood.

"Why don't I just get us something for now and then we'll add if it's not enough?"

"Sounds good," he agreed. When she came back from the kitchen, they sat in comfortable silence. At times, she caught him looking tired and pointed it out with concern.

"Naw," he shook his head as he muffled a yawn, "I'm still good." She chuckled at him as Tanya brought their order.

"So?" he began after swallowing a mouthful of his roast beef sandwich. She looked up at him with a quizzical look after taking a bite of her own.

Looking thoughtful he asked her, "Do you believe in working hard, play harder?"

"I never really thought about it like that. I just try to get as much out of my days. Hangout with friends or the dinner friends whenever I can. How about you?"

Her heart beat a bit quickly with joy as she realized that this was it - this was their moment to get closer and learn more about him.

Looking deep into her eyes, he replied with, "I thought partying it up was the best way to forget that I wasn't family material. I never thought I'd have anything to offer a wife, or a herd of children, either." Her heart ached for him and what he shared.