Author's Note: Yes, yes. I know. It's been nineteen whole months since I last updated. I'm sorry. I really am. But that's exactly how long I had writer's block on this story. It's a cruel, monstrous, evil disease that renders a writer utterly helpless and on the verge of insanity. But the good news is, I'M BACK! And so is Natalie and the rest of CaZeTyNaggY. I'm hoping to finish this before the year ends (or the world, whichever comes first).
P.S. If you forgot how the last chapter went, you can go ahead and read it again before reading this chapter. Heck, you can even read the whole thing again. Happy reading!
_________________________________________________________________
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
When I woke up the following morning, my eyes were red and puffy from last night’s crying. My head felt heavy, too. As I slowly sat up, I noticed that I was wrapped in a blanket. Caleb had probably covered me with it last night when he came back from his walk. That was sweet of him.
As I glanced at the clock, I realized that it was already ten o’clock. I should have left for work half an hour ago! Frantic, I got up and tossed the blanket into a heap back on the couch. I quickly made my way upstairs to freshen up and change.
When I got to Cooper’s Frozen D’Lights, I was an hour and thirty minutes late. Mrs. Reynolds was manning the counter, but at least there weren’t that much costumers. As I entered the door, she glanced at me and gave me a patient smile, but said nothing. I quickly slipped into the back room to change into my uniform. After that, I went back inside to stand behind the counter.
She looked concerned. It was probably my puffy eyes. She still made no comment, but instead, gave my hand a sympathetic squeeze.
“We’ll talk later, if you want.” She whispered to me.
I nodded numbly. I was grateful that she didn’t insist on broaching the subject because I don’t think I could concentrate on my work if I kept bawling my eyes out into the ice cream gallons.
My day was marginally fine, except for that one woman who brought along her three cranky kids. They made a huge mess—her youngest son, probably two, had chucked a handful of chocolate ice cream at another customer sitting next to them, ticking him off. The other boy, probably four, yanked on the tablecloth, sending all the glass ice cream bowls shattering to the floor. The eldest boy, about six, sat there snickering at his two brothers and at the businessman (the man who had been thrown ice cream at) who was arguing with his mother.
I had to mop the floor, carefully clean away the broken glass and replace the tablecloth with a new one quickly so that the next customers could use the table. Mr. Reynolds had charged the woman extra for the damages. Although irked at what had happened, I sort of pitied the woman. She looked like she was about to run out screaming first chance. When the mother and her kids had left, Mrs. Reynolds told me to take over the cash register for a few minutes while she went into the back room.
And then Tyler walked in, all bright and sunny.
His eyes scanned the room, and when he zeroed in on me, his grin stretched impossibly wider. He sent me a wink that sent my pulse scrambling as I returned to my place behind the counter.
“Gidday, Allie.”
“Good afternoon, sir. Welcome to Cooper’s. What would you like?” Trying to suppress a blush, I tried to sound calm and collected as I delivered the standard greeting.
He put his elbows on the counter and leaned over. “You.”
Sure, it a chessy line, but I wanted to melt right then and there.
YOU ARE READING
Beautiful Disaster (Ongoing & on Hiatus)
RomanceEver since her mother died, Natalie has been the glue that desperately tries to keep the remains of her broken family intact. And when Caleb, her older melancholic brother, runs away from home, she comes to a moot point in her life---go after him...
