Page 8 of Damien
The band starts a new song and Chloe gasps, “Ohmigod. This is one of my favorites. I have to dance to this.” She grabs Abby’s hand and doesn’t spare us a second glance.
“You go right ahead!” Sydney hollers as they dash to the dance floor. “We’ll be here when you get back.”
When it’s just the two of us, she turns to me. “Look, I’m not trying to pressure you. I just want you to be happy. I’ll support you no matter what.But if you ever need a babysitter, I will volunteer any time I’m able. I’ll even do my best to wrangle in Vince and his brotherly antics if he throws any BS your way.”
“Oh, God.” I laugh at the realization. “I can just imagine what it’ll be like should I ever decide to date again. I thought my dad was bad. But even back in high school, Vince was protective. Did I ever tell you about the time I had a guy over one afternoon to watch a movie and he decided it was best to jump between us on the couch to ‘watch’ the movie with us?” Yes, I used air quotes because with him squeezed between us, none of us were comfortable watching the movie. Needless to say, I never heard from the poor guy after that day again.
“Oh, no, he didn’t?” Sydney cringes.
When I nod, she rolls her eyes. “Though I can totally see him doing that. What a stinker.”
“You can say that again,” I agree. “But let’s not remind him, or he’s apt to do it again. I already have enough worries without his overprotectiveness getting in the way.”
“If he becomes too much of an issue, you let me handle him,” Sydney teases. “I’m sure I can think of something.”
Knowing Sydney’s reputation for putting people in their place, I have no doubts.
3
Vanessa
Okay,I’m officially old. We barely stay out until midnight, but my alarm going off at five this morning is brutal. I make it to work with time to spare, but I may as well hook that carafe of coffee I’m passing out to customers into an IV for all the good my one cup this morning is doing for me.
I’ve mastered the chipper waitress act, so I’m sure no one else will notice how tired I am, but I’m counting down the minutes until the end of my shift. I plan to go home and nap before Julia needs to be picked up from daycare. Sure, I’ve managed many a sleepless night when she was an infant, but after getting used to a full night’s sleep regularly, I’m out of practice, and a date with my bed sounds absolutely perfect.
My back is turned when the bell rings, signaling a new customer. But the electricity that zings up my spine leaves little doubt who has entered. Only one person has ever had this effect on me. I know it will only be a matter of seconds before I smell his mouthwatering aftershave that’s subtle to most but almost toxic to me. It’s like I can’t get it out of my head. Not that I’m complaining. It’s freaking delicious and makes me want to buy some of my own, just so I can sniff it without looking like a crazy stalker, anytime I choose.
When I turn, I do my best to greet Damien the way I would any other customer. “Good morning. Need a menu? Or will it be your usual?”
Damien glances at the bulky watch he wears and shrugs. “I’ve got time. So… I think I’ll grab some waffles with strawberries and a side of sausage today… and if you don’t mind, I’ll take a cup of coffee while I wait.”
Reaching for a cup, I say, “Coming right up,” as I pour. Once it’s full, I pass it across the counter to him. “Anything else?”
“No, thanks,” he replies quickly but hesitates, which catches my attention.
“Everything okay?”
I’m surprised when he fumbles over his words. “I… uh… wanted to thank you for bringing my debit card to me yesterday. I’m sure I would’ve remembered eventually. But it was one less thing to think about yesterday.”
“No worries,” I quickly assure him as I brush a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “It was on my way to campus.”
“I know, but it was still nice all the same.” He smiles as he holds my gaze with his dark-brown eyes. I’m not sure I could look away if I tried.
Unfortunately, I have to because Jeff hollers from the kitchen. “Van! Order’s up!”
“That’s my cue,” I stupidly say aloud as I unwillingly break my eye contact with Damien to deliver my next order.
Instead of returning to the counter to talk to Damien like I want to, I force myself to check on all my customers as well as the new ones who have walked in the door behind him. I refill a few drinks and place another order before returning to Damien to give him his.
As I approach, I ask my usual question of him since I learned he was the lead engineer for the campus housing project. “So, how are you conquering the world today?”
This earns me a full smile and a laugh that makes my spine tingle. “Well. I’ve got meetings today, but I’m conquering it one bit at a time. Maybe someday I’ll manage to be done. But my to-do list never ends.”
I can’t help it. I laugh with him. “I can totally relate. I swear, just as I get mine to look relatively short, something is always added to it.”
“When you’re not working, or going to school, is there anything you like to do around here for fun?”
Hang out with my daughter. But I’m not ready for that conversation just yet. It’s amazing how often people’s opinion of me changes when they find out that tidbit. I swear they either judge me for being promiscuous or act as if I’ve lost my youth tragically… as if Julia’s a burden. I know loss, trust me. But being Julia’s mom is the biggest blessing I could ever ask for.
