Page 11 of The Rescue

Nellie and David have started packing up the cafe to close for the day, and I couldn’t be more eager to finish up and head to the pub for a drink. I haven’t had a break since I sat down with Crystal this morning, and it’s safe to say my feet are numb, and my lower back is aching. Usually I don’t mind a busy day, but I’ve been a little distracted today. I always finding an excuse to come out the front to watch Crystal working away on her laptop with that cute little frown on her face.

I rush over to the table where Crystal has been all day to find her stretching her arms above her head and yawning. She looks exhausted.

I place the tray of sandwiches down on the table next to her table. “I thought you might be hungry.”

She looks up at me and puts her laptop away in her bag. “Wow, that’s very kind of you. I’m scared I will be returning to Boston a few pounds heavier with all these treats.”

That’s twice she’s mentioned something about her weight, and I don’t like it, not one bit.

“Dinny fash, there’s nothing to you. I didn’t know if you were a vegetarian, so I made two sandwiches in case you were. I’ll eat whatever one you don’t want.”

She looks at me stunned, and my paranoid mind can’t help but think the worst. A soft smile tugs at her lips, and I relax a little.

“Rabbie, that is very thoughtful. I’m not a vegetarian, but the veggie one looks yummy, so I’ll take it.”

I pass her the vegetarian sandwich, and pour her a cup of tea. She intently watches me as I try not to shake with nerves.

Come on, Rabbie. Get a grip of yourself, man. She’s technically your employee and you have issues.

“How are you getting on?” I ask, trying to break the ice.

“I’ve started the basics, but I will need to go over a few more details with you, like if you want pictures of your baked goods on the website and things like that. But if it’s okay with you, I might call it a day after eating this delicious sandwich.”

“Of course. I told you, you don’t have to ask me when to finish. I trust you will get the website done.”

A small yawn escapes her mouth, and her eyes look glossy.

“I was going to invite you to The Drunken Duck, to meet everyone, but maybe another day if you’re too tired.”

She perks up at the mention of going to the pub, and I can’t help but feel hopeful that she’ll say yes. I don’t know why it fills me with excitement.Professional, Rabbie. Keep it professional.

“Now, I can’t turn down a pint of beer at the famous Drunken Duck,” a hint of sarcasm laces her voice.

“Och, aye, the beer is very famous,” I laugh.

A cute, feminine laugh erupts from her mouth, and I relish in such a beautiful sound.

“I can’t believe anyone can like that stuff,” she shakes her head.

“Aye, the locals would drink it morning and night. If Mac opened the pub earlier he’d run me out of business.”

The corners of her plump lips form into a smile, and my stomach does a little flip. I sum up the way I’m currently feeling down to nerves about meeting someone new. I don’t know Crystal, and I like to keep my circle small. So small in fact that I can count on my hands the people I trust, and even then I don’t openly talk about how I feel. I’m the happy-go-lucky one of the group, and I keep things at a surface level. Only my three best friends know the struggles I’ve been through. And even now I keep how I’m feeling to myself, I don’t want to burden anyone, everyone has their own shit going on. So, I put on a mask and play the goofy friend that jokes around and never dwells too much on the serious stuff.

We sit and eat our sandwiches, and I enjoy the flow of our conversation. It feels easier to talk to her today, nothing like our awkward meeting from the other day.

“I just need to finish up in the kitchen, and then we can head over to the pub,” I tell her as I stand from the table.

“I can help you, if you like.”

“No, it’s okay. I just have to turn the ovens off. Thank you for offering though.”

“That’s okay, I’ll be here, waiting for you.” She looks up at me from under her eyelashes, and beams what might be a flirtatious smile up at me.

Her amorous tone stops me in my tracks and I stand there with the awkward silence filling the air between us. Am I imagining things? Or is she flirting with me? The playful look on her face tells me that she’s enjoying my awkwardness a little too much. I turn and rush back to the sanctuary that is my kitchen as quickly as I can.

5

Crystal

---