Page 3 of SnapShot

If the picture was for someone else, she’s going to have to tell me. No bullshit. That’s what we both agreed upon before we started to talk more seriously. While we haven’t had the exclusive talk yet, I feel a claim on her that I can’t explain. She’s the most interesting woman I’ve ever talked to. I can gather that her childhood had its hurdles, but she hasn’t gone into further detail, nor have I asked her to. She can keep her secrets about her past, but her present is another story. I feel like I deserve a proper dumping at the very least.

Determined to get what I deserve, l search the web for places to eat in Dovehaven, Mississippi. She only lives about twenty minutes from The Open Flame, which doubles as my apartment and my restaurant. I live in the loft space upstairs. I had a house in Louisiana, but when I wanted to open another place, I decided to sell and make this little space for myself here. It’s nothing fancy, but it doesn’t need to be for just me. I’m sure eventually I’ll want something bigger with a nice yard out back.

Haedyn works at some bar that doubles as a restaurant, I think. Bar is in the name, I know for sure. The closest thing I could pull up was The Dairy Bar off of Second Street. That’s got to be it even though there’s no way this little mom-and-pop place supplies alcohol.

It sits almost in the dead center of town, which would benefit my reasoning for stopping by on my way through to the vineyard outside of town to meet with a new wine rep for my place. I’d been in the back stock room figuring out what I’ll need to order from the vineyard when I got abducted by a sexy leather outfit and strong cutting brown eyes boring into my soul through the phone. A worthwhile distraction, no doubt.

“Hey, boss. What are you doing back down here so late? Need a pick me up?” Matt asks with a small chuckle as he grabs a refill for the bar tap and heads back to the door he just entered.

“Yeah, something like that,” I answer, rubbing the back of my neck awkwardly, not wanting to let my personal issues bleed through to my professional relationships. Matt’s a good guy, truly one of the best bartenders I’ve ever seen, and I think the world of him. I just don’t make a habit of sharing too much personal information with employees, especially when The Open Flame has only been open for six months. No need to complicate an already trying time. Plus, I’ve always been more of a loner, anyway.

When I can lose myself in making food, my head is clear and I don’t have to worry about reality. Nothing matters but the end product. Waiting for the perfect moment to pull it away from the heat and nurture it to its delicious potential.

Turning to head back up to the loft, I nod at several passing waitresses on my way to my office. The door in the back corner is the only way to get to the living quarters. I didn’t want there to be any room for tipsy patrons to mosey their way up to my personal space.

Once upstairs and settled on the couch with a cold beer, I solidify my plan to meet my girl face to face tomorrow by procured accident. If she rejects me, I’ll take it like a man and disappear. The likelihood of us running into each other afterward would be slim, so at least, I’d only have to face the sting once.

If something else is going on, and I catch even the slightest hint that she still likes me, all bets are off. She has been pretty reserved for most of our digital relationship which makes me think she is scared and trying to hide from her feelings. Usually, my ability to read people doesn’t steer me wrong. Here’s to hoping Haedyn is no exception. Toasting myself inwardly, I turn on the whatever action movie I come to first and eventually doze off.

Abort Mission

three

Abort Mission

Haedyn

When I wake up, my head lets me know immediately that I’m going to need a hot shower, some caffeine, and a lot of ibuprofen. Not necessarily in that order. I walk to the kitchen to start a pot of coffee, but I see Kate’s already started one.

Strange. She usually sleeps in the day after a long shift. I move to the bay window that overlooks the pasture and see her heading to the barn to feed the animals. I’m very suspicious now. What did she do that she’s sucking up for?

Running back to the bedroom where my phone sits on the bedside table charging, I immediately open my messages to Charlie, and I’m swamped with relief to see that she didn’t respond to him in my stead. I still think she did something, but I’ll have to figure it out when my head stops pounding.

After I fix myself a cup of coffee with enough cream and sugar to cause diabetes, I swallow down four pain relievers and head toward the bathroom to start the shower. I like my water to be scalding hot, and this old house takes forever to heat the water. I don’t mind, though, because it gives me time to enjoy my coffee.

My hangover trio worked like a charm; I knew it would. It never lets me down. I feel rejuvenated and ready to conquer the day. Bring it on, karma. Let’s see what you’ve got in store today.

Kate sits on my bed and fills me in on her shift last night while I get ready for work. She’s not acting funny, though. I guess she just woke up in a better mood than usual. I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt this time, even though I’m usually right when it comes to my best friend.

Mistakenly, I signed up to work a double today. This should be fun after the awful night Kate apparently had. With there only being six restaurants in town, and three of them being fast food chains, The Dairy Bar is really the only place to get a good burger, so it stays busy.

Pulling into work, I quickly see how today is going to go. There are about 30 cars in the lot with less than ten of them belonging to employees.

“Morning, Haedyn!”

“Morning, David! How’s it going?”

“Oh, it’s going all right. I’m sure it’s about to get better now that our best waitress is here, though.”

“Hey, don’t make me tell Kate!” I holler back at him. He’s always trying to suck up to her for one reason or another. The vibe between them is riddled with enough tension to hold up a seasoned acrobat.

He chuckles as he shoots me a wink. David is the owner, and he’s pushing twice my age, though you’d never guess it by his looks alone. He’s a silver fox if I’ve ever seen one. Fit, too. He’s harmless, but he flirts with any woman that walks. Horny bastard. I just roll my eyes, laughing to myself as I throw on my apron and get to work.

“Order up, Haedyn!” Kyle calls from the kitchen. He’s the main cook during the week. He’s worked here longer than I have, and he knows his stuff. I’m pretty sure he went to school here, but he doesn’t get into personal details with many people. He’s here to work and not much else. When he’s in the kitchen, the place runs like a well-oiled machine. I rush over to grab the two burgers and drinks for table nine and head out to the patio. The Dairy Bar only has five tables inside that are usually reserved for the older customers who shouldn’t be out in the weather too much. The rest of the tables are outside under a big metal awning stretching off the restaurant.

I deliver the food to table nine which is being occupied by a couple of our regulars. They eat here at least twice a week on their lunch breaks, and they tip well. “All right guys, eat up, and be sure to let me know if you need anything.” I smile before I turn toward the door to go back inside.

Only, on my way, I see a familiar face staring at me from a few tables over. Those sea-foam eyes look like they’re expecting something from me, but I’m not about to find out what that is. It should be embarrassing how fast I walk past him, but I think I left embarrassing in the dust yesterday with that picture.

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