Summer Girl

Summer Girl - Chapter 18

Chapter EIGHTEEN 

That following Saturday, somehow, I ended up with the 9 to 5 shift. Cay was pissed when she came in at 11 a.m. and saw that I was off early. She poked me in the side, huffing.

  "Damnit. I wanted to hang out with you tonight," she pouted, tying on an apron.

  "Why can't we?" I asked.

  "I work til seven, which means I won't be out of here til seven-thirty and you will be long gone by then."

  "It's nice of you to find time for me, though," I teased her, turning to get my table's drinks.

  "Oh whatever, it's not like you're sitting at home by yourself," she laughed.

  "What do you mean?"

  "You're hanging out with Harley, aren't you?" she asked, then froze, realizing her mistake.

  "I'm not," I said. "I haven't even seen him in a week."

  "Well, Max then?" she asked, awkwardly.

  "Max is the best," I nodded.

  "Callen is the best kisser," she told me, then snorted.

  "I have to work," I said, jokingly rolling my eyes at her.

  The lunch rush was non-stop for hours and we didn't get a chance to talk again until later that afternoon. I saw her at the server's station and I was headed her way, when I heard someone say my name. I turned around, thinking it was someone else I worked with.

  Harley was standing there, just a few feet away. He said my name again, because I must have looked like I had seen a ghost.

  "Hi," I said, looking away for a second. "What are you..."

  "My dad called in an order? For him and his buddies. If I'm lucky I'll get a burger," he said, half smiling.

  "Oh, okay. I'll go check for it," I said quickly, turning away.

  He was in the same spot when I came back a few minutes later, the large paper bag in my hand. I held it out to him, making sure I didn't get too close. I couldn't risk actually touching him. Just seeing him now, my hands were shaking.

  "Thanks," he said. I nodded. "Izzie... can we talk?"

  "I'm working," I said stupidly.

  "Oh, I know. But maybe later?" he asked, looking hopeful.

  Now it was my turn to be in charge. I could have said no, I was busy. I could have told him that I was still angry, and hurt. I sort of was. But I sort of really wanted to see him again.

  "Okay," I nodded.

  "Okay? Yeah?"

  "Text me later? You know, cause you have my number in your phone," I teased him.

  He let himself smile. "Yeah, I will." he agreed.

  "I have to get back to work," I said.

  "Of course," he nodded.

  I turned and went back to my section, but glanced out the window to see him walking towards the car. He didn't look back, but it didn't matter.

  I worked forty minutes past the end of my shift because it was so busy. Mr. Peterson himself was helping out in the kitchen. Finally, when I got a chance to take off, I found Cay first. She was refilling drinks.