Page 50 of Promise Me Ever After
Goinginto work later filled me with dread. I’d never been in a situation before where I didn’t know what to say to someone I’d slept with. Usually it was easy, simple patter and excuses to get me off the hook, but this was different.
“Great party last night,” Sid said, the moment I got into the kitchen. “You look like shit. How much did you drink?”
Usually he rocked up after me, so it was a surprise to see him there early for once.
Honestly, I hadn’t drunk as much as I would on a normal night out. Given Georgie and I had only been there for around an hour and a half — most of that talking to other people — I’d probably only had a couple of pints. My appearance probably had much more to do with the thoughts currently occupying my head. I wondered if Georgie was in yet.
“Don’t know, more than I should have knowing I had to work tonight.” A lie seemed easier.
Engrossed in what he was doing, Sid barely looked up to acknowledge me. “Your sister introduced me to Sara, one of the girls who works with her.” He let out a whistle between his teeth. “Seriously, older women arehot.”
I couldn’t argue. Last night had definitely proved that to me, I didn’t need telling twice.
While we worked, Sid tried to get me to spill more of the beans about what had gone down between me and Georgie last night. Whereas in the past I’d been more than happy to share details of my conquests and one-night stands, Georgie was worth more than that. So every time he pressed me for more info, I’d change the subject.
After what seemed like his millionth attempt to find out what had happened, Georgie walked into the kitchen for the first time that night. “Marianne’s been waiting on the starters for table seven for over fifteen minutes. I can’t believe a prawn cocktail and a side of garlic bread can take that long,” she barked, completely avoiding looking at me.
“Evening, Georgie. Did you have a good time last night?” Sid’s question was totally innocent.
Her head whipped around to stare at me, eyes accusing me of letting the cat out of the bag when I hadn’t said a word. “Yes. But that was last night and now this is today. We’re not here to party, we’re here to work. So, you want to tell me where these starters are?” She placed her hands on her hips, the sleeves on the white shirt she wore pulling up her arms.
My gaze fell on her right wrist, where I saw the bracelet fastened around it. My face creased into a sudden smile. Before I had the chance to say anything, Sid chipped in.
“Voila. Here you go. One prawn cocktail and cheesy garlic bread for table seven.” He waved his hands over the plates and Georgie picked them up. “Tell Marianne all she has to do is ask.”
“An apology for them being late will suffice, thanks.” Georgie turned and left the room, leaving me staring after her.
“Didn’t go so well between you two then?” Sid started on the next set of orders. “I sense a vibe.”
I didn’t know what the fuck to think. Since she’d walked out on me this morning, I’d been a holy mess not knowing where I stood. Now I realised what an arse I’d been in the past when I’d kept my short-term shags hanging.
“Don’t know what you mean. Things are good.” More lies.
Georgie and I barely spoke during the shift. She would come into the kitchen chasing up orders, directing her requests at Sid rather than me. When I took my break, something we would usually do together, she was absent from the break room. I sat and forced down a chicken burger, jumping each time someone walked past the door. Why was she blanking me? When she’d left this morning, I assumed it was because she had things to do rather than needing to get the hell away from me. I didn’t dare say anything more to Sid — or Curtis and Justin for that matter — for fear of them laughing at me and saying it was karma’s way of telling me I should have been less of a dirt bag. I drained the last of my Coke and went back downstairs to the kitchen. Sid was cooking, preparing the latest order. Thankfully, things were beginning to tail off as we got closer to closing time. All I wanted to do was go home and get some sleep. There seemed little point in trying to talk to Georgie this evening.
A few minutes later, she burst into the kitchen again, chasing up the order Sid had prepared.
“Come on, Sid, the customer’s waiting.” She tapped her foot on the floor, arms crossed over her chest.
“Back off, Georgie,” I snapped. “We’ve been working fucking hard this evening and all you’ve done is give us shit for being late with orders.”
She glared at me and shrugged. “And?”
I blew out a breath, not wanting to have it out with her in front of Sid. But she gave me no option.
“All ready, Georgie. I’ve given them some extra onion rings, no charge, to make up for it being late,” Sid cut in, gesturing to the plates at the end of his station.
“Thanks, Sid. Good to know someone’s bothered about customer service.”
Georgie reached for the dish of onion rings at the same time as Sid warned her it was hot. A cry split the air as the dish dropped to the floor and smashed. I rushed over to her and grabbed her wrist, pulling her towards the sink.
“Shit, Alex, let go of me,” she wailed.
“Sid, take the plates out to the customers, don’t mention the onion rings and get Marianne to give them some free drinks. I’ll deal with this.” I turned on the tap, checking the temperature so it didn’t get too cold. Even though the dish had been in the hottest part of the oven, I hoped any burn would be fairly superficial. Before she could wriggle out of my grasp, I put Georgie’s left hand underneath the running water.
A hiss of breath through gritted teeth let me know it was having some effect.
“Why did you rush to pick up the dish, Georgie?” I shook my head, not letting go of her wrist.
