Happiness Doesn't Wait

Blake

I hate this. I keep crossing paths with her and she still won't listen to me. She won't even look at me!

I wish I can go home with a smile on my face like I used to, but now I only step out of work with a sad sigh in my mouth. I've stopped telling my mother about her. She always says the same thing but even if I try talking to her, she avoids my eyes. I can't help but drown in her light brown eyes...

But today, I think of these past few weeks of avoidance as I go out for an early morning run. Once I find myself ready to go to work, I look at myself in the mirror and smile. A new hope lightens my heart as I think of Abi. Maybe...today she will look at me. I can feel it.

I enter the restaurant with a new smile. I nod at customers and servers, and get to the back lobby of the kitchen. Ryan writes something on a clipboard as I enter and my eyes find Abi at a far corner. She talks with Cam. She's always talking with that boy. I wonder if they are--

"Blake. I need you to take care of the Simens Family. A very important family that are staying at the hotel next door."

"Okay," I firmly say to him.

"You can speak Spanish, right?"

"Yes, sir," I say with a confident smile.

"Very well then," Ryan says in his gentle voice. "Let's get your servers ready. From the door, I want them to be attended."

"Yes sir," I say one last time before going to where a few servers are at. Among them, Abi and Cam stand by adjusting the buttons of their uniform. "Alright!" I say with a bit of firmness. "I just got word from Ryan that there will be a special group of clients today. The Simens Family. I want to see each and every one of you paying attention to them. They are our guests of honor. Don't disappoint me."

"Yes sir," a few employees say as they start towards the exit. Several give me a respectful nod and quietly leave the lobby. Abi gives me a firm nod and quickly leaves. I take Cam from the arm before he can slip out with her.

"Cam."

"Sir?"

"I need you to do me a favor."

"Yes sir."

Despite of his annoying personality, he is very good at knowing who's the boss. He knows when to stop at the limit of his jokes. He stands taller as I say, "I need you to be at front counter today. Once you sit down the Simens Family, Let me know and I will attend to them personally."

"Yes sir!" he says with a hint of his playful smile before he leaves. Yet, Abi comes back to my head and I quickly stop him.

"Wait. Cam."

"Is there anything else you need, sir?" he says respectfully.

"I...." I hesitate. It'll be embarrassing if he really is dating Abi. What will she think of me then? But I still clear my throat and softly ask, "Are you and Abi...." I do a gesture and he immediately understands.

"Oh! Um. No! No. We're not...together. We're just....friends." He suddenly seems awkward and nervous. I immediately know that this is a sign of his attraction towards Abi. He is in love with her, too.

But I hide my concern and I give him a small smile. "Alright then. Thank you for letting me know. I usually want to know what's going on with my employees and what not."

"Right," he says with an awkward clearing of his throat. "I'll..." He points at the exit and I quickly nod at him.

"Right! Of course. Go right ahead."

He gives me one last look and walks towards the exit. He gives his hair one last touch at the small mirror on the wall and exits the lobby. He is himself again.