Page 24 of Getting Over You

I’m starting to regret sending Cade’s socials to Mollie. “You said hunk twice,” I tell her with a laugh.

“I know what I said,” Mollie replies, serious.

It’s Wednesday, and this is the third day this week that I’ve worked at least a full shift at the diner. Despite not wanting to be the replacement for the waitress who quit, I couldn’t fight Belinda. She needs help, and I’m not about to leave her helpless.

“I really have to go,” I say, making my way down the stairs and to the front door. I pull it open, revealing Rory’s Jeep parked in the driveway. “We can talk later. Have fun at the thing.”

“Have fun with the tattooed hunk,” Mollie says. I can practically hear her eyes rolling as she says it, but I’m still smiling at her as I hang up the phone and walk outside.

The moment I get into her car, Rory says, “I still don’t get how you ended up doing this.”

“I really don’t mind,” I tell Rory. “The extra money doesn’t hurt.” Extra money, Belinda admitted, will just be tips for me. She mentioned not putting me on payroll, and she’s the businesswoman, not me. I’m not going to argue.

“Speaking of which,” Rory says as she pulls away from the cul-de-sac and onto the main road, “EJ is going to replenish the stash tonight. So, if you want in, I need your cut.”

“I don’t,” I say. “But I can put in for Cade.” I fish bills from my bag, setting them in her cup holder.

Rory’s dark eyebrows fly into her hairline. “Since when are you buying him things?”

I shrug. “He’s offering to help me become the girl every guy wants. It’s the least I could do. Plus, he’s trying to get a tattoo shop going. He needs his money, you know?”

“Hold on,” Rory says, “I need details.”

When I finish telling her about the deal I’d made with Cade days earlier, Rory’s shaking her head. We walk into the back door of the diner together, grabbing aprons hanging on the wall as we go. I discard my bag into a nearby closet and am pulling my hair into a makeshift updo when Rory finds me.

“I know we just met, so who am I to call you out,” she says. “But didn’t you tell us you’re a hopeless romantic the other night? Now you’re Ms. Hit It and Forget It?”

I roll my eyes, shifting my weight onto one hip. “It’s not that serious.”

“It seems that way,” Rory says flatly. “I just don’t want to see you do something you’ll regret.”

“I’m no stranger to sleeping with someone,” I hiss. “And I hate nicknames.”

She holds up a hand. “Point taken. Just watch yourself. Don’t be something that you’re not.” And then she’s marching away, toward the front counter.

Joke’s on her. I can, and will, be both.

It’s the end of a busy dinner rush and I’ve just finished bussing nearly every table. The good news is that I’ve gotten used to the physical demands of serving in the few days I’ve worked—and invested in proper shoes. The bad news, however, is that no matter how good my shoes are, the walking and lifting is tiring.

Belinda escaped to the grocery store to stock, so when Rory’s face pinches when the front door opens, I think it’s her coming back. I turn, being greeted with EJ and Cade.

“Excuse me, waitress,” Cade calls when he sits, “we’d like to order.”

I roll my eyes, trudging over. I grab for my notepad and pen as I meet them. “Of course.” I put on my cheesiest, fakest grin. “What can I get you?”

Cade’s eyes twinkle. I have to look away to keep myself upright. “Tell me what’s good here. Other than you.”

“Cade,” I warn, flashing a dark look. “Our specials,” I supply blandly, pointing to the chalkboard by the register.

“I know what the specials are,” Cade replies smoothly. “But what do you like from here? Our tastes are clearly similar, so I thought I’d ask.”

The sea of gray in his eyes goes stormy as he watches me. Ever since the day we got coffee, and he showed me the building he wants for his shop, we’ve been different. A push-and-pull banter exists now that we’ve been alone together.

You’d think it’s sexual tension if you didn’t know any better. I’m thankful for his casual attitude. It’s like a wall that keeps me from seeing him for the otherwise-attractive man he clearly is. And because I’m not attracted to him, he’s the perfect guy for me to get dating, or lack thereof, advice from. It’s like hearing it directly from the source without the intimidation.

“Stop trying to flirt,” I say.

Cade guffaws. “I know better than to flirt with a woman who isn’t interested, princess.”

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