Happiness Doesn't Wait

Blake

It's been a week since I've been with Abi. My every breath is for her and about her. Since that night, I was convinced that I only want her.

The next morning at my place, I smiled as I saw her soft face on the pillow next to mine. Her beautiful curves shaped like silhouettes underneath my bed sheets. I can still smell her perfume on my pillows as I lay down each night after that night. I miss her touch. I miss her breath on my chest. I want to wake up every morning to her sweet giggles. I want her....

Finally, I leave work with a smile. I go everyday to work, but she has different schedules each week. Whenever I see her around at the restaurant, I make sure to catch her at the lobby and kiss her neck. She'd jump every time and giggle at the tickle of my breath. My favorite part is whenever she turns around and kisses me.

At last, I have her. I'm back to where I left off with her and I can't wait to continue on with her. But my career takes a big part in this along with having her. Now that we are not awkward with each other, we seem to understand each other even more as I ask for her help and she always seems to know when I need it. With just a look, we know what we're thinking just as we did before.

Yet, today is a special day as Ryan and I accommodate a long table for our waiters and waitresses to have a seat in the back lobby. Once the day is over, they close the restaurant and they all walk in the lobby with surprised looks. I see Abi walk in with Cam. She listens to his stories as she takes tired sips of water. She nods at Cam and then smiles at me. I give her a nod and watch her sit down at the table in front of me.

"Hello everyone," I say as everyone settles down. "We have brought in new chefs and also new plates so we could add to the menu. But Ryan and I decided we should let you taste our new plates first before putting it on the menu."

"Alright! Free food! I love this job!" Everyone laughs along with what Cam says as usual and I just give him a small chuckle. My eyes land on Abi and she gives me a light wink. My heart melts.

"Okay," Ryan says this time. "I hope you enjoy. Please have in mind that this is for our customers later on if we decide to put it on the menu, so be honest about your opinions."

I quickly go behind the metal counter where our chefs have several plates ready. Ryan and I take a few and place them in front of our employees. My cheeks burn as I feel Abi watching me from afar as I put the finishing touches to a soup I created. I myself take this soup first to her.

Abi looks at the plate with shining eyes as she says, "What do we have here, chef?" Her button nose becomes even more noticeable as she gives me a flirty smile.

I put my hands on my back and playfully say, "Just one of our finest creations made by a very special chef. I call it: The Amoor Soupe." I make sure to put in a hint of a french accent for the name of the plate and Abi does a small giggle.

"Okay then, Monsieur," Abi says as she goes along with me. "I'm a very picky judge. Just telling you that."

Everyone seems entertained with their plates and only Cam gives us a side glance before talking away with other waiters. So I lean forward a little to whisper, "A very beautiful judge as well...."

I give her a wink and this makes her blush show when she smiles. She finally takes a small spoonful of my soup and her eyes grow wide. "Wow," she says with awe. "This is actually very good! What did you put in it? It looks so simple!"

My heart jumps to her response. I have to say that her opinion is enough for me to feel satisfied at my job. But I give her a smirk and softly say, "A chef never tells his secrets...."

Abi gives me a flirty smile and her eyes shine as she whispers to me, "Then I'll have to take it out of you one way....or another....." Shivers go down my spine at these words and I'm taken back to our night together. I'd repeat it all over again in a heartbeat.

But that is about as far as we get when we're at work. If I ever do have a chance to show affection with touch, it's usually at the lobby when not a lot of people are there. But we try to keep our distance for the sake of the business and gossiping coworkers. Imagine the rumors of Abi going out with the boss? Now that'd be a hot story to tell.

Yet, after work is always a relief for the both of us. We have the freedom to take hands and intertwine our fingers together. That is what we do as we step out of the restaurant late at night. I smile at Abi's contented sigh from her full stomach.

"Gosh I was hungry."

"I could tell," I say playfully. "Which plate was your favorite?"

"The soup," she says without hesitation. "I don't like soups, but yours was very good. It took me back to a childhood memory like Ratatouille." I laugh loudly at this and she squeezes my hand tenderly at the sound of it.

"And what memory was that?" I say with a smile.

Abi suddenly turns quiet as her eyes turn distant. She clears her throat and says, "The first plate I had for dinner after my mother left was soup. The neighbors made some for my sister and I, and we quietly ate at the table on that night...."

Sadness makes my heart heavy for her story. I observe the way that reckless shine disappears from her pretty eyes at this memory and I comfortingly run my thumb over her soft hand. "I'm sorry," I quietly say. "I didn't mean to--"

"It's okay." She quickly pushes aside her sadness and gives me a small smile. "It was great. But I think you should tell your new chefs to work on the mushroom sauce for that one chicken breast plate. It either needs something else or take a condiment off."

"Yes ma'am," I say to her with a gentle smile. She does a small chuckle and I watch how her sadness slowly fades away with my touch.

We finally reach her car and she leans on her car. I run a tender hand on her cheek like I used to love to do, and give her forehead a soft kiss. "Hey," I say as I look back at her. "I told my mother about us. She was happy to hear you were back."

"How is she? The last time I went to see her was a few months ago. I still tried calling her though!"

Surprise runs through my expression for these news. "You....visited my mother even after what I did to you?"

"Of course," Abi says as if it's so obvious. "She was like a mother to me. I used to do her groceries sometimes. Especially because she started getting a limp, so I felt bad for her."

The memory of that day I went to eat at her place comes back to mind. The small limp I saw on that day only has gotten worse in the days I went to visit her after work. "By the way," I say with furrowed brows. "Do you know if she had her limp for a while now? Or did she just get it?"

Abi crosses her arms on her chest and her mind thinks on this. She shakes her head and says, "I think she may have had that limp for a year now. I mean....I would ask if she wanted to get it seen, but she'd only reject it. So I stopped asking."

"Mmm." My brows furrow and Abi smiles at my thoughtful expression. She puts a warm hand on my cheek and brings me closer. With this, our lips meet and I put my hands on her hips.

"Don't put so much thought on it, Blake. She will be fine. She's a tough cookie." Abi starts to take out her keys and opens the door of her old car. I chuckle at this and say to her from the window, "The only one I worry about is you."

"You should," she says with a teasing smirk as she turns on the engine. I give her one last kiss through her window and softly say, "My mother wants you to go over someday to have lunch with us."

"Sure," she says without hesitation. "I'd love to see my favorite old person again." I laugh at this as she gives me a wink. She lays one last quick kiss on my lips and lovingly says, "Sweet dreams, my chef."

I stand up straighter now and I let her go. I watch her turn the corner and disappear on the street. Despite of my loneliness, my heart dances with joy. I miss her already, but I know that I will see her again tomorrow. I can't wait to finally have her by my side every single second of my day.

The plan is certain that at lunch with my mother, I will propose to her.