Page 12 of Last Round

“Oh my god,” Jake adds. “He has. I get it, dude, seriously. It’s weird, isn’t it?”

“What is?” I lean in to listen.

“You know…” He shrugs, and I urge him to continue. Because, no, I don’t know. “How once your dick’s decided onthe one, the many are no longer appealing. It happens without any fucking warning too.”

“Ah,” Letty coos. “You never told me you couldn’t get it up for anyone else.”

“Two burgers, right?” I interrupt their exchange, because this conversation just took a very uncomfortable turn—one I don’t want any part of. “Extra pickles?” I’m already walking to the kitchen. “I’ll put a rush on them. Wouldn’t want you guys to miss your flight.”

Jake and Letty are not even listening to me as I flee the situation, their laughter following me when I push through the doors. Not paying much attention myself, I run into a tiny human. Molly looks up at me, her green eyes wide and both of us covered in whatever drinks she was carrying.

“Watch where you’re going,” I say to her.

Yeah, I’m a dick.

That wasn’t her fault. I know it. Hopefully she does too. But instead of apologizing or helping her clean it up like any decent human would do, I drop the order off with the kitchen, then get the hell out of dodge like the fucking coward I seem to be now.

Uniforms

Molly

“How’sitgoing?”Seanasks, picking up the saltshaker I just filled and inspecting it. Chelsea snickers.

“Good…?” I know my brother. He hates small talk. He wants something. The question iswhat?I could ask him outright. But watching him sweat as he dances around the subject is way more fun.

“So, I mean… you like working here?” He continues to prod.

“I do.” My focus is locked on the container as I pour in the salt. Chelsea stops refilling the ketchup bottles, observing our interaction instead. With the way her eyes bounce between us, you’d think she needs a bowl of popcorn.

“Oh, that’s good…” Sean fidgets with a bundle of rolled-up silverware.

Unable to stand it any longer, I snatch the utensils from his hand before he messes them up. Okay, there isn’t much to mess up. It’s just a bunch of silverware, wrapped in a napkin and secured with a paper band around the handles to keep it together. But still… this went from amusing to downright sad.

“Is there a problem, Sean?” I peer up at him, cocking my hip and resting a palm on it. “Are you not satisfied with my performance?” I’ve been working here for a couple of weeks now. There has been some growing pains, which is totally expected with any new job. However, I’d like to believe I’ve found my groove.

“What? No.” Sean shakes his head. “No issue… it’s just…”

“Out with it.” I snap my fingers.

“I figured maybe this wasn’t your thing,” he finally says.

“And why’s that?” I look at him, confused.

Sean’s eyes dart to Chelsea, then back to me again. “Can we talk in the office? No offense, Chels. It’s just a family matter.”

“Don’t even know what you’re talking about. I’m just here doing prep work. Hadn’t even realized you were there. Hi, Sean, how are you?” Chelsea gives him a glowing smile.

Sean rolls his eyes. “We’ll be back in a minute.”

She chuckles as I follow him into the office. Killian glances up from the paperwork on his desk before refocusing on it again. His head snaps back up as he registers my presence. I fight the urge to deck him in his handsome face. I’m still pissed about the other day when he ran into me, spilled my tray of drinks, and then had the audacity to blame me. Dick never did apologize. However, I can’t help but squirm as he slowly looks at me from head to toe.

“Sorry, Kill. I needed privacy to talk to Molly. Didn’t realize you were in here.”

Killian continues to glare at me. “It’s fine.” Though, based on his tone, it doesn’t seemfine.He slams the logbook he was going over and stands. “I was finished. Need to get out to the bar. Things to prep.”

“Okay, we’ll be out in a second,” Sean says, oblivious to the suffocating tension in the room.

I’m frozen like a deer caught in headlights as Killian stands before me. He showered this morning. Droplets of water glisten in his dark hair. It’s hot enough that they could be perspiration. But the potent scent of bergamot wafting towards me says he bathed.

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