Just Breathe

Chapter Three Bailey 6 weeks later

"Good morning Mr. Henderson, how are we feeling today?" I give Mr. Henderson a smile he says brightens up the room as I pour him a cup of coffee.

"Good morning sweetheart. Oh, you know the usual. I woke up with a kink in my lower back and I'm pretty sure I pulled my hamstrings getting into the shower. But I'm sure you don't want to hear about all these aches and pains from an old geezer like myself. How are you and that sweet boy of yours?" Mr. Henderson was a sweet man, never wanting to bother anybody with anything and just minding his own business. He was a widower who lost his wife to cancer six months before Logan and I arrived here in Watermount Falls. He and his wife, Lilia, were very loved by the towns people and now that he is on his own, he feels people just don't pay any mind to him anymore. I won't lie, the first time I met Mr. Henderson I about shit myself. He scowled at me the whole time I took his order and when I checked on him to ask how his food was tasting, he complained it wasn't the same as the week before, but he continued to eat it anyway. I quickly came to realize that Mr. Henderson was just sad and lonely and missing his wife. With a little courage, I began smiling at him and asking him how he was. It took some work, but now he's like a teddy bear when he sees me.

"You just need to take it easy Mr. Henderson, and perhaps pay that chiropractor of yours a visit." I respond teasingly, knowing he hates visiting with any doctors.

"Logan is doing great. He's loving school and has new stories to share every night. I'll make sure to bring him in on Sunday morning so he can visit with you and tell you all about it."

"That would be lovely, sweetheart. He's gonna be a knockout with the ladies when he's older." He teases.

"Please Mr. Henderson, don't tell me things like that. I'm just thankful that he still thinks all the girls have cooties except for me. I'll be back with your usual." As I reach the front counter to place Mr. Henderson's order, I can feel eyes burning into the back of my head. A chill runs up my body leaving goosebumps all over. I know he's here before I even turn around. Gavin is already sitting in my section like every morning since I've started working here.

"Damn girl, that man has it so bad for you, and you don't even see it." Ashton leans up against the counter while wiping a few coffee mugs and putting them away. It's the same conversation with her every morning when Gavin walks in.

"He comes in for breakfast like every other person in this town does before heading off to work. He does not have it bad for me." I repeat for the thousandth time since I started working the breakfast shift with Ashton. She's an amazing waitress and has become a pretty great friend who has accepted me and Logan with open arms, but she is also annoying when she wants to play matchmaker.

"That man doesn't open his tattoo shop until 11:00 AM; it is 9:00 AM in the damn morning. Also, he can sit anywhere he wants, but do you know where he sits every damn morning for the past six weeks? In your section. That is the definition of having it bad for someone." She sasses back.

"He's my neighbour, Ashton. He's just being polite by sitting in my section and he does own the tattoo shop, so he must have to go in early to get the place organized before opening." I reply, feeling very proud of myself for not stuttering over my words when speaking about Gavin. He is beyond handsome, the perfect mix of sexy and bad boy charm. He just has to smile, and girls throw their panties at him. But he's not for me, or should I say, I'm definitely not for him. I have way too much baggage for a man like Gavin to even spare me a second glance. Plus, there's also Logan, we're a combo. He can't have one without the other, and besides, my focus is not on dating or even casual dating, I just need to focus on working and supporting my son.

"Look at you getting all sassy and using my full name. Bailey, that man wants you and the day you realize that I'm right, I want all the juicy details of when you two do the bow-chickee-wow-wow."

"Oh gosh! Would you stop!" I manage through bursts of laughter. Mr. Henderson's order is up, and I've managed to stay away from Gavin's table, which is not professional of me. I make my way over to place Mr. Henderson's plate and ensure he has everything, and then make my way over to the one table I serve every morning with butterflies in my tummy, and can't seem to manage a simple conversation.

"Good morning Gavin."