Page 11 of Addicted

“How’s the cake?” I’m suddenly interrupted by the waitress who rests her hands on my shoulders. Strangely inappropriate but I can just tell that she’s a touchy feely person, so this is normal to her.

“It’s good. I might actually take another slice. Or maybe that cherry cake you said from earlier…”

But instead of getting it for me, she sits beside me and smiles serenely. “So, what’s a man like you doing in a place like this? You don’t seem like someone who spends a lot of time in the business district.”

“You telling me I don’t look like a man who’s in business?” I laugh. “I’m so offended.”

“No, you aren’t.” She tosses her head back and laughs. “I’m sure that it would take a whole lot more to offend you than that. You don’t seem like the sort of man who takes things to heart easily. You seem more like the fun loving, easy going type, who is much more about fun than he is business, you know what I mean.”

All of a sudden, I realize what’s happening here. She isn’t just being touchy feely and friendly. She’s flirting with me. I’m not just a distraction from a boring day but someone who she wants to have some real fun with. Usually, this would spark my interest, especially when it’s someone as beautiful as her because there is no denying that she’s stunning. I am all for having fun and enjoying myself whenever the time comes, but today things are different. Today I can’t stop worrying about Kayla and focusing on her.

“Yeah, I am a generally easy going purpose.” I turn away from her and watch the window once more. Where is Kayla? Why is this taking such a long time? I don’t understand it at all. “That’s true.”

“So, how long are you in town for? Because while I am at work today, but I finish later on…”

“I’m actually just waiting for a friend to have a job interview before I drive her back to her car…”

“Ah, so that’s why you are here.” Her hand rests on my arm. “To help a friend out. You are a hero, right? What happened to her car and what made her call you of all people?”

I’m sure this is her trying to get to the bottom of what me and Kayla are, so I guess I’m not putting her off me enough. My defenses aren’t high enough to work. I don’t really have the effort to keep it up either.

“I actually just met her on the way. I tried to fix her car but couldn’t, so I ended up giving her a ride here. She really needed to get to this job interview, so I offered to bring her along. Trying to be a good person.”

“Wow, so you really are a hero.” She cocks a knowing eyebrow at me. “That’s impressive. You deserve a reward for being such a good guy. I think that I will get you your cherry cake after all.”

I can breathe a little easier once she’s gone, the pressure isn’t quite so intense, and I feel like I can watch for Kayla without the waitress’s eyes piercing through me in such a strange way. But she still isn’t out yet, she’s still in an office putting on her mask and trying to prove that she’s good enough for those people, when in my opinion they are the ones that aren’t good enough for her. She deserves so much better. But what do I know?

Anyway, this is what she wants. This means a lot to her; this is what she thinks that she needs to do so I am rooting for her. I want her to succeed in every way. I have so much hope for this woman who I barely know it’s insane. My nerves on Kayla’s behalf are utterly wild, and I kinda like them. It’s nice to care about someone’s future so deeply, it makes me feel… I don’t know, a bit more of a well rounded person, I suppose.

“Here you are sweetie.” The waitress winks at me. “Now, I’m just about to go on break, out the back, so if you want to join me you know that I can. I’m presuming that I can trust you with the cash register.”

“Yeah, sure.” She’s offering me something but I’m barely listening. I don’t want to join her out the back and do whatever. I just want to wait. I want to celebrate with Kayla when it all goes well. “I won’t touch it.”

“No, I know you won’t touch the register, but I am hoping that you’ll come back to touch me.”

My head snaps around as she is totally blatant with her flirting now. I must not be acting in the way that she wants at all. I try to apologize with my eyes, but I just can’t give her what she wants. She tuts and rolls her eyes before stalking off with a cigarette pressed between her lips, not too bummed, I hope.

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