Page 25 of On the Line

After taking their order, I head back to the computer near the bar. I’m listening to Ji-min, the bartender, complain about a customer stiffing him when Zachary strolls in. It takes me a few seconds for the sight of him standing inside my place of work to fully solidify.

He’s never come to eat at Orso before.

When I realize that itishim, I leave Ji-min mid-conversation, walking swiftly up to my boyfriend.

“Hey honeybun,” he drawls.

I might be paranoid, but something about his smile feels condescending.

“Zachary, what a surprise …” I say, still a little taken aback. “What are you doing here?” I hope my tone sounds like I’m happy to see him and not accusatory.

He leans over for a kiss and I move my head out of the way, narrowly avoiding his lips.

“I’m at work,” I say just low enough for him to hear me, trying to justify my reaction.

His eyes harden, and between the span of a few blinks he wordlessly promises me that I’ll pay for my little move later.

His cocky grin returns. “Well since yourefusedto take your birthday off, I thought I’d come to you.”

I swallow back down the need to tell him that I simply couldn’t afford to take time off. He wouldn’t understand anyway.

I force a smile. “That’s so sweet. Thank you, I can put you in my …” My words trail off when Spencer, Zachary’s best friend, walks into the restaurant. My reaction is immediate. I feel light-headed, revulsion spearing my stomach as bile burns up my throat. I’m usually good at avoiding him, but today, I feel cornered.

He was with Zachary when … when they … when it happened.

I don’t know how I’ll manage to serve him all night.

I lean close to Zachary. “You brought Spencer?” I whisper.

“Of course, I wasn’t going to come dine by myself was I?”

“Happy birthday, Jamie,” Spencer says casually as he walks up to us.

“Thanks,” I mutter, avoiding eye contact.

Swiftly turning around, I lead them into my section and settle them at a four-top near the corner—pointedly ignoring the kitchen pass.

“Why don’t you sit with us? I’m sure you can take a break,” Zachary says while I hand him a menu.

I struggle not to snap when I answer him. “That’s not how it works, Zachary.”

His nose crinkles with annoyance, rolling his eyes.

“Fine, I’ll have an old-fashioned,” he says abruptly. “Spence?”

“Same thing,” his friend replies with a smile and I feel sick.

My vision tunnels as I walk back to the bar, ignoring everything around me, including my tables.

“Are you okay?” Ji-min says as he slowly approaches me, his brown eyes looking worried. “You look a little pale …”

“I—uh … I think I just need some air,” I blurt out, feeling my hands turning clammy. “Can you cover for me?”

Thankfully, it’s not busy tonight, so as soon as he nods, I dart into the back and run outside. The moment the backdoor closes behind me, I double over, leaning my hands on my thighs, and gulp in lungfuls of air trying to get my heart rate down.

“Jimbo?”

I let out a startled yelp, swiveling around to find Ozzy leaning against the wall, one foot up. “Oh my god, I didn’t see you there,” I say breathlessly, hand over my heart.

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