Page 68 of Undone, Love Times Three

Her sarcastic look rivals one of mine. I’m teaching my staff bad habits. “We weren’t the only ones who missed you.”

“What?”

“The customers,” she says with a look of innocence that is so fake it's practically criminal. “I mean, you’re our hero, boss. Everyone wants to meet you.”

“What are you up to?”

“I gotta get back to work, it’s busy,” she glances at the order screen and grins. “Ah, look another new order. Why don’t you deliver this one? Table twelve I believe.”

Without moving, I scan the bar. Subconsciously, I’ve been looking, though I never saw what I was looking for.

Until now. Sitting at table twelve. Where I first laid eyes on him. He’s wearing a black shirt and dress pants, his jacket thrown over the back of the chair. My eyes dart to the spare chair but he’s alone.

There might as well be no one standing between us. I lose all sense of who is around us and my pulse races in a way it never has before.

He came.

There is nothing hopeful in his look, its pure determination. That, more than anything, convinces me.

Turning my back, I hope Daniel is disappointed I didn’t make any kind of acknowledgement he’s here. He won’t need to worry for long.

New Blend

Daniel

God, she’s beautiful. I’ve missed her. Every part of her. I’ve not given up either. She needed space, I got that. I forced myself to give it to her. Didn’t mean I couldn’t almost lose my mind every time she read and ignored a text. Or when I showed up at the bar to find she had gone back to Clarendon Hills.

I hate I made her leave the bar. And her home. That was when I wavered, got nervous that she was slipping through my fingers.

I’m too impatient to wait so I decided I would drive up there. Find her and tell her exactly how I feel. Explain to her how sorry I am for fucking up and go back to the way things were when we fell asleep in each other’s arms that night.

Some people might not think what I did was enough to warrant her running away, but I understand why she did it. It’s hard for her to trust. Even the smallest of lies could hurt her. I was ignorant, stupid and it bit me in the ass.

It all made me more determined to fight for her.

My plan to go up to get her was foiled when I saw on the bar’s social media they’re throwing a celebratory party. They’re unveiling the new beer. This is a better plan. There is no way I could stay away.

It takes a while for her to notice me. Purposely, I used the QR code on the table but each time, someone else has brought the order over. I can’t go on like this. I’ll either be too drunk or have a huge bar tab if I don’t get her attention soon.

The moment she walked in from the back, I’ve not been able to take my eyes off her. It’s like the first time I set eyes on her all over again. From this very table. She goes around, chatting with people, serving customers, laughing with her staff and Jay.

I should have guessed he’d be here given the new beer. Which is amazing. Although I got a sample of it when I went up to the brewery with her. Jay is a good guy. I’m not here to talk to him though.

There is one reason I’m sitting here, prepared to beg her to hear me out if I have to.

One last beer, I’ll try one last time before just getting off my ass and going over there. Keeping my head down, I put in the order, then pocket my phone. Brie is standing with her and steps forward to see the order.

“Fuck,” I clench a fist. This is getting ridiculous. Only when I look back up, Brie is talking to Blue and then they both look my way.

Our eyes lock. Brie walks away. She isn’t going to get my order. I guess this is it. Make or break. Now she knows I’m here.

Come on, Blue.

She turns away and my stomach plummets. No, fuck that. I’m not giving up like this. I’m about to get out of the chair when she turns and grabs some glasses and a couple bottles of beer. She sets them on a tray and comes out from behind the bar.

Two… Either she’s joining me, or she is serving someone else. I force my ass to remain in the seat as she comes towards me. People stare at her as she passes, some say hi and she nods to them but her eyes remain locked on me.

She comes to a stop by the table. We’re silent, staring at one another.

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