Page 30 of Let Leaves Lay Where They Fall

“Oh! Jamie. Can we get the check when you get a chance.” Mark calls out over Nathan’s shoulder.

“Absolutely.”

His voice is just behind Nathan. Jamie sounds a little too excited for their departure. That stings.

“Thanks.” Mark stacks the empty plates neatly on the edge of their table.

Jamie is already back. Setting the check presenter between the two.

Nathan reaches forward. Brushing his index finger against Jamie’s pinky before he can pull away.

Daggers shoot from the cutie’s glare.

Nathan lowers his eyes before the daggers gouge them out. He drags the leather presenter toward himself. “I’ve got it.”

“What? No! I asked you here. I’ll get it.” Mark is swooning in the haze of Chardonnay.

“It’s my treat. You drove us here. Let me handle the bill.” Nathan smiles. He opens the leather folder, blocking his date’s view of the slip inside.

“I’ve got to hit the restroom.” Mark stands and smooths his sweater with both hands. Laying the crumpled cotton napkin from his lap on the table.

Perfect. “Okay.” He continues writing on the bill.

Mark walks away and disappears into the restroom down the hall at the back of the dining room.

Nathan hurries to finish writing. Then pulls his wallet from a back pocket and gathers cash from its folds. He adds a generous tip to try and smooth things over, but not so much he’ll look like he’s trying to buy his way off of Jamie’s shit list. He closes the presenter and sets it at the center of the table. Standing to meet Mark when he returns.

“Let’s get out of here.” He smiles. Eager to get through the doors. Guiding Mark forward with one hand on his lower back, sliding fingers up over his shoulder.

Once they make it outside. Nathan wraps around Mark, looking over his shoulder to watch Jamie through the window. Adding a quick peck on his cheek. “It was a lovely dinner. Thank you.”

“Thank you.” Mark squeezes Nathan’s forearm.

Nathan watches Jamie stride across the dining room, to their empty table. He gathers the bill fold and slips it in his apron before Nathan steps away from the view.

***

The restaurant clears out just after 11pm. Colin locks the doors right behind the last to leave.

“Okay!” Molly can’t contain herself. “What happened?” She’s practically tearing her hair out. “I couldn't get back to you all night!”

“Yeah.” Petra chimes in. “Spill, darlin.” She plops on a stool at the bar. Molly leans on Petra’s shoulder.

“What’s going on?” Sebastian was too engulfed in flirtatious flames all night to notice anything else.

“The guy here with Mark tonight. That was Jamie’s guy!” Molly really can’t contain herself.

Colin abandons his podium and floats over to join the crew. “Wait. You had their table!”

“Mhmm.” Jamie furrows his brow and bites his lip. “It was interesting.” He reaches in his apron drawing out the evening's final bill collections. “His name isn’t Dave either. That’s why he was a ghost.” He slaps the presenters on the bar. “Turns out his name is Nathan.” He growls. “The fucker gave me a fake name.”

“Ew.” Colin wrinkles his face.

Jamie opens the folders. Separating the cash and slips. Unfolding the paper from Mark and Nathan’s table.

“Did he say anything?” Molly needed to know.

Jamie pauses. Reading the slip in his hands. “No. He was on a date. That would have been awkward.” He nibbles the inside of his cheek. Squinting at the little piece of paper.

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