"Girl, you wouldn't be the first, or last, person to blow chunks in the shop. Do you have any idea how many drunk people we get in here every single day?" She gives me a pointed look. After all, that's how she met Jake. We showed up here after a night of drinking to get inked together.
"That is a very good point," Amelia runs her hand through her hair, unable to be still. "Now, I feel like a moron for not eating before we came."
"I'll only need about twenty more minutes, and then you'll be able to eat." She's coloring in one of the feathers. "There’s a really good hamburger place right across the street."
Jake and Marshall told me about that place. Jake described it as "food so good you'll want to slap your mama." I'm pretty sure he actually did want to slap his mom because at the time she was being downright ridiculous. "Why don't I run across the street and place a to go order so that it's ready when you are done?"
"Good idea. I want a hamburger, medium well, with mustard, and everything on it except onions." Amelia taps her finger on the side of her cheek, making sure she didn't forget anything. "Oh yeah, and fries with lots of ketchup."
"Okay, I'll be right back." Taking a couple of steps toward the door, I turned back around, "Charleigh, do you want anything?"
"Naw, I'm good," she continues working on Amelia's tattoo. "We'll be here when you get back."
Instead of waiting for either of them to say anything else, I walk back toward the door. If we thought there were a lot of people in the lobby earlier, that’s nothing compared to now. There isn't an open seat in sight, and I have no idea how all of these people are going to be seen within the five or six hours before the shop closes. I guess, it's a good thing at least two of the artists’ work quickly. The other shops better watch out, Life in Ink is on the rise.
There are even more people waiting outside when I open the door. It baffles me that the shop has become as popular as it is. Since all the artists have started working as a team, and stopped bickering with each other, the shop has been able to run a lot smoother. Sophie coming on as a receptionist has helped, too. Or, at least that what Jake tells me. Anytime him or Marshall are around Charlie and Bianca, they get the lowdown on the drama at the shop. Which is how I know about Sophie's crush on Adrian. One of them needs to make a move. The tension is driving me crazy, and I’m not even around it all the time.
The night air is warm and sticky, and I'm thankful I was able to find a parking spot in the lot next door to Life in Ink. We won’t be sweating so much when we leave. The place Charleigh was talking about is literally across the street. If I didn't have to wait for the crosswalk sign to change, I would already be over there. Finally, after a few long minutes, the walking sign begins to flash. There are a lot of people out tonight, and I'm being jostled in their rush to get to the next place.
The restaurant is busy when I walk in, but most of these people are waiting for a table. There is an area at the bar set up to take carryout orders. A guy not much younger than I am stands behind the register staring at his phone. "Excuse me, I’d like to place a to-go order."
He doesn't acknowledge me, and acts like I'm not even there. As someone who has had to work for far longer than I should, I have always taken pride in my work. If one of the customers in the store needs my help, I do my best to help them. Already, this place is on my list of restaurants to not visit again. The only saving grace, is the red-headed lady that comes out from the kitchen and smacks the guy in the back of the head. "Hey, you have a customer standing right in front of you. Either put your phone down and get to work, or go home and don't come back."
He doesn't say a word, he turns around, heads to where the kitchen is, and leaves. "Stupid teenage punks," the waitress says under her breath. "Anyway, what can I get you? Sorry about the lack of service.” She glares in the direction the kid went. I don’t feel bad for him in the slightest.
“It’s all good. I need two burgers, medium well, with mustard, and everything except for onions. I also need 2 orders of fries.”
“Anything, else?”
Tapping my fingers against the bar top, I try to remember if they wanted anything else. “No, I think that’s it.”
She reads the order back to me, and I almost freak out about the cost. But this is Amelia’s night, and I’ll do anything for that girl, including spend all my money. Luckily, the order won’t take too long, and I’ll be on my way in a bit.
Thinking back to the last time we went out, I try to remember if she ate onions while we were there. I’m almost certain she did. There’s only one reason, besides not liking them, a person wouldn’t get onions on their food… Kissing. My fingers are crossed and I can’t wait to get back to her. Charleigh walking in on our near kiss has had me antsy to get Amelia alone again all night.
Maybe tonight is a turning point, and she’ll stop trying so hard to push me away. Shehasto know by now that it’s not going to work. Patience is something I’m very good at. You kind of have to be when you live in my house.
"I have a to-go order for Randall." One of the employees calls out. The place is so noisy that I almost don't hear them.
Shockingly, it didn't take long for them to have my order ready. Or, I glance at my cell phone to check the time, I was too busy thinking about kissing Amelia that I didn't even notice the time passing by.
Taking a few steps between the chairs where I was sitting and the bar, I let the waitress know that I am here. "I think this order belongs to me. I'm Randall."
This waitress is much younger than the one who took my order, and unless my eyes are deceiving me, she's checking me out. Normally, this wouldn't bother me but I've got a gorgeous brunette across the street waiting on me.
"What are you doing later tonight?" She asks, boldly.
"I'm sorry. I'm taken." So, what if that isn't technically true. It's very close to being a fact. I can feel it in my gut. The girl standing behind the counter doesn't need to know that though.
"That's too bad," she pouts. This girl and I don't even know each other, and she's acting as if me being involved with somebody, is a huge disservice to her. Nights like this remind me why I didn't date for so long. I can't handle all the petty games. I've always had better things to do, or work, that kept me busy anyway. At least, until her.
"Have a good night," I say, brushing the waitress off. Making a beeline the door, I don't look back. Any sort of encouragement with this girl is bound to lead to trouble, and that is something I don't need right now.
I hear my name being called from behind me, and I quicken my pace to the curb. Lucky for me, the crosswalk symbol is flashing and I can make a quick getaway before she does something crazy like follow me.
The crowd outside of Life in Ink has dispersed. Their hopes of getting inked tonight dashed when they saw how many people were inside. Or at least, that’s what I’m assuming. Sophie is sitting at the desk, doodling on a notepad when I walk into the shop. She doesn’t even look up when I come in. It’s odd, but I’m not worried about it. Instead, I turn toward Charleigh’s work room, and run smack dab into Amelia. The bag of food slips from my hand, and almost falls to the floor. I get a grip on it at the last possible second. There’s no way I’m going to let this food go to waste.
“Shit,” Amelia screeches. “I’m so sorry. I was coming to see if you were back yet, and wasn’t paying attention. Are you okay?” Her hand circles around my wrist, the tips of her fingers nowhere near touching. It’s as if she’s trying to keep me steady with the loose grasp, and I can’t help but like her even more for that.