There’s a lot going on in his head. Sometimes it’s so loud, he can’t distinguish thought from thought.
Stupid new menu, I don’t even want to make it. I have to figure out everyone’s shifts for next week first. Shit, wait. I need to handle the food shipment by Monday or we’ll be understocked. Is the cheese in the fridge about to go bad? Speaking of cheese: Roquefort. I don’t like Roquefort, but Eden says to try it. Maybe I’ll make a mille-feuille for her tomorrow.
Tomorrow. Hector will be back. Hector is a dick. Fucking asshole.
“Chef?”
He looks up with a start. “Christ!”
Eden laughs, her smile apologetic. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to surprise you.”
“We need to put a damn bell on you.”
“With a cute little collar and everything? I didn’t take you for the kinky sort.”
He glowers. “Shut up.”
Eden laughs softly. “I’mteasing.” And then, after a moment, “Are you okay?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“I was calling your name for, like, five minutes.”
“Oh. Just spacing out. Don’t worry.”
Eden steps out to join him. She taps the tip of her shoe against the pavement, picking at beneath her nails. “We’re about finished inside. Just need you to close up.”
“Sure, I’ll be right there,” he says, taking another deep drag of his cigarette.
“So, I was thinking...” She speaks gently, an adorable shyness about her.
For a moment, Alexander worries that she’s going to try and bring up what happened in the office. He isn’t sure if he’s ready for that conversation. He doesn’t have an explanation for his actions, only that he couldn’t help himself. Something about Eden draws him in like a magnet. The more he tries to stay away, the more some invisible force drags him right back.
“We’re going to trivia night tomorrow. I was wondering if you’d like to come.”
This is officially the second time he’s been invited to a non-work related event, but it’s still as shocking as the first time.
“Who’swe?” he asks, exhaling.
Eden stifles a cough, clears her throat. “Freddie, Peter, Rina, and me. It’ll be fun.”
“Thanks, but no.”
Eden clears her throat again. She’s doing her best to be subtle, hiding her mouth behind her hand. This time, Alexander clocks it.
Ah, the smoke.
He puts out his cigarette without a second thought. He’s been meaning to quit, anyways. It’s terrible for his palate. At least, that’s the reason he gives himself.
“Why not?” Eden asks.
“I’m their boss. I doubt they’d want to see me during their off hours.”
“So? You’re my boss, and I’d like to see you in my off hours.”
“Why?”
Eden smiles. “Well, we’re friends, aren’t we? That’s what friends do. Hang out and stuff.”
