Page 36 of Love Over Easy

Melissa and Suzie are busy on the griddle, so I assemble a group order on a tray and carry it to the window myself.

I stick my head out the pick-up window and say, “Order up for Barnes.”

I smile at the father and son who step up. They are obviously vacationers. The board shorts, matching flowered shirts, and flip-flops give it away.

“Hey, are you Shyanne Lambert?” the boy asks, excitement rising in his voice.

I know he recognizes me. I glance over to David. He’s busy taking an order. I lower my voice and grin. “I hope you enjoy your meal.” I quickly turn to escape.

But then I hear the boy shout to his sister, “It is her, Lisa. It’s Shyanne ‘The Huntress’ Lambert.”

Now there’s two excited children jumping up and down, screaming my name for all to hear. I panic and freeze. Suddenly it’s deafeningly quiet. Everyone in line is staring at me with a wave of whispers moving through them. David and the girls have stopped what they were doing and by their expressions, they’re confused and have no idea what’s going on, which is all my fault.

I knew my identity would eventually come out, but this wasn’t the way I wanted it to happen.

The father pulls his phone from his shirt pocket. “Can I get a picture of you with the kids? It would mean so much to them. You’re their favorite MMA fighter.”

I hear a gasp behind me and Melissa squeals, “Holy sh…nizzer, Shyanne.”

With the little ones listening in, I’m glad she changed that up.

“You’re a fighter?” Suzie asks, her stunned eyes going from me to the kids waiting for their selfie. “That explains the body. Wow! That’s really cool, but why didn’t you tell us?”

And then I look at David. The look on his face hits me harder than any punch I’ve ever taken. His jaw is clenched and his hands grip the order pad and pen so hard I’m not sure they are going to survive. I’m not sure I am either. Hurt and betrayal stare directly into my eyes.

What did I expect? I should have told him weeks ago. I have a lot of explaining to do. I only hope he’ll listen.

I turn back around and force a smile at the two beaming hopeful faces looking up at me, awaiting my reply. I’ve always taken time for fans. Sometimes interacting with my fans is the best part of my day.

I smile for the picture and they leave. David’s wounded look hits me right in the gut. I know without him even saying it—we’re over.

I take a step towards him. “Please. Let me explain.”

“Not now,” he says and turns back to take the next order, dismissing me completely, ignoring me.

I hurt in the area of my heart. There’s no one to blame but myself. I had plenty of chances to tell David and I ignored my instinctive to keep living in the perfect bubble we’d created. Now I must live with the consequences of my own making.

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