I head back out to work, swapping places with Cherise, and every so often, I do have to swat hands away, although that happened a lot more in the morning. There’s another lull around three. By now, I’ve been here since five, so it’s been ten hours, and I am beat.
“I can’t believe your first shift is so long,” Cherise comments.
“I told Greg I could handle twelve on Saturdays or Sundays. The other day can’t be more than ten. I need some time for my coursework.”
“You’re a college student?”
“At Juniper. You?”
“I go to Waterfalls University.”
“Good for you.”
“I’ve heard good things about Juniper.”
“It’s not too bad.”
“What are you saving up for?” she asks.
I blink a few times.
“Sorry. I just assumed that if you want to work so many hours, it’s because you want to save up for something.”
“A motorcycle.”
“Oh, nice.”
And a bodyguard, but I don’t mention that.
The worst part about today being a twelve-hour shift? I had to be here at five for training. My shift actually started at six. It means I only have to deal with a part of the dinner rush, but that starts at four with happy hour, and I am absolutely dragging by the time six rolls around.
Cherise is there, too, in the back with me, grabbing her purse. “I think you did great today.”
“Thanks. I’m gonna go home and sleep until tomorrow. I forgot how much walking is involved with waitressing!”
“Yeah, be kind to your thighs.”
“Or don’t,” Holly mutters. “Grab a cupcake on your way out. Both of you.”
Cherise beams. “Thank you!” She grabs two, boxes them up, and hands one to me before shoving me outside.
“Will I see you tomorrow?” I ask.
“I work every weekend. See you then!”
I wave and head on over to Robyn’s car. Instead of driving home, I fall asleep. It’s almost nine-thirty when I wake, and I drive home, finish the last bit of my salad and scarf down the cupcake, brush my teeth, and conk out in bed.
As I brushed my teeth, I figured I wouldn’t dream about anyone. No sex dream. Too tired for that nonsense, right?
Wrong. I not only dream about Gabe and Zac, but I dream about having them back to back and then at the same time, and I don't know if I can handle this. When I was dating Rob, it was easier… and harder because I did miss the other guys, but this? Being single and also somewhat involved with at least Rob and Ace? And even Gabe… Zac, not so much, not yet at least. He's a tougher nut to crack, but I still want to be there for him, even if not sexually, then as a friend.
But more than a friend is what I would prefer.
It takes two to tango, though, and any more than that would be a recipe for us all to wind up on the floor… limbs all entangled together… Twister… I might want to play that with the guys, especially if it’s a naked variation…
Yeah, I need to just get to work and forget about the guys, at least for now.
If I can.
As busy as my shift had been yesterday, I couldn’t help always checking the door when the bells would jingle, hoping to see one of them. None came in, but that doesn’t surprise me. I don’t think I ever did bring up that yesterday was my first day or where exactly I was working.
They’re always on my mind, and that’s welcome because I would much rather be thinking about them instead of my father.