The Ride of a Lifetime

25. Sunset

Morning came way too soon.

The sun that poured through the window made me squint almost angrily until I finally tore my eyes open. It certainly helped that I was facing the wall with Javis' arm locking me in place.

I shifted. His arm tightened.

Perfect.

Mind more awake, I pried his heavy limb away and climbed out of bed. His dark lashes fluttered but refused to open and I absorbed the sight before me. 

If only the peace in the morning's air could be so merciful to stay.

"Luna! Hello, come on. Start preparing for lunch hour, we've got a booked reservation."

Crystal demands cheerily.

'Who books a reservation for sushi?' I thought silently, not wanting to seem rude.

Her husband was by the stove tops, skilfully multitasking if he had six arms instead of two. I set off to work.

Soon, Axel appears and I send him a grin. The guy looked like he just woke up.

"Someone's grumpy."

"They've been pestering me all night and morning about this damn party." He mumbles, joining me in laying out the table.

"Sounds delightful."

He gives me a once over. The clothes I was wearing from yesterday hung loosely on my frame. I was sure the bags under my eyes were extra saggy today. If he thought I looked like absolute crap, he didn't say it out loud.

We finish around the store. As I start serving the growing line, a large family appears. Mr Lee scurries over, face plastered with a bright smile. He ushers them to the table at the back of the shop. I was focusing on the impatient man in front of me, blaming me for how slow I was when he was the one who kept changing his mind every 0.2 seconds.

"Enjoy your meal, Mister Polite." He ignores my sarcastic remark, stomping off.

I huff.

"Stop sulking. There are people waiting."

I comply, helping Axel bring out plates of prepared rolls. Balancing it expertly on my hand, we head out to the waiting table.

"Luna?"

Shit. The plate almost escapes my grip. Axel reaches out to stabilise it, sending me a narrow glare.

I look up to meet Lachlan's eyes, and then to awkwardly meet the entire family's confused gazes.

"Hey, Lachlan."

"I didn't know you worked here."

I felt the slight prick of annoyance. "Yes, I'm on my shift. We can talk when I finish?"

He completely misses my suggestive comment. "Where were you last night?"

I exhale heavily, catching Axel's sceptical glance.

"I'm sorry, but Luna is working right now. She will be able to converse with you out of her own time."

Thank God. I smile at the silent customers and then follow Axel back to the kitchen.

Before I could kneel at his feet to show my gratitude, he regards me with a stern glare.

"You weren't home, were you?"

I frown. "Why is that any of your business?"

He grabs my upper arm as I try to get to the kitchen bench. I yank it away harshly, grimacing at the pain.