I feel like I’m in a dream.
I’ve barely left Rhett’s place for the past few days. We’ve unpacked his house together and even made a shopping trip for things he needs. We’ve been attached at the hip, and I’ve only gone home to get more clothes.
He hasn’t asked me to move in or anything, and it’s all still new, but it’s definitely something I want if we ever talk about it.Which means I really need to catch up with Dad about things soon.
“Hey, boss. Sorry, I’m late.”
Morgan flies through the kitchen door, already taking their backpack off and heading to the staff room.
“I’ve got it under control. Everything okay?”
Morgan reappears and holds up a leg. Their leggings are ripped on one side, and visible scrapes on their skin show through the tear.
“Oh my god. What happened!?” Wiping my hands on a towel, I abandon the banana nut muffins and take Morgan by the arm to a chair. “Do you need the first-aid kit?”
“It’s my fault. I wasn’t watching where I was going, and a car cut me off. I had to turn hard and fell off my bike.”
“Do you think you can work today? It’s okay if you can’t. I can call someone else in.” Morgan never wants to let me down, and I know they need all the shifts they can get, but I don’t like them working hurt. I’m making the decision for them. “Forget that. Take today off. With pay and no arguments, Morgan. Even if it’s just road rash, your mind must be a mess.”
“I’ll make it up to you, Diamond. I swear.”
“There’s nothing to make up, sweetheart. I’ll ask Rhett to drive you home. He can put the bike in the back. Take a day, okay?”
“Okay. Thank you. I…” They hang their head. “I appreciate you, Diamond.”
“I know you do, and I feel the same, okay? Let me make some calls while you gather yourself.”
Morgan nods and slowly limps back to the staff room. I wish they had more people in their life to love them.
Pulling out my phone, I hit Rhett’s contact while I take out the staff schedule to see who can close up tonight.
“Hello, beautiful.”
Just hearing Rhett’s voice makes me smile like a dope. “Hello, cowboy. Do you have a minute?”
“For you, I have a lifetime.”
This man will be the death of me.
“It’s Morgan. They had a bike accident on the way to work and scraped up their leg pretty badly. Are you free to pick them up and drive them home?”
“Of course. Give me a half hour, if that’s okay?”
“Totally. I’ll make them sit and feed them until you get here. Thank you, cowboy.”
“See you soon.”
Morgan eats the bagel I make for them and accepts the carton of chocolate milk I give them to take home. I know they live alone, and even though I pay them more than I have to, it’s hard when you’re trying to get by. Rhett waltzes in like he owns the place, kisses me so sweetly it makes Morgan blush and then takes them home.
The morning crowd never seems to stop, and it’s not until after 1 P.M. that I realize I didn’t get to call in anyone to help this evening and close. After cleaning a few tables, I pull out the staff list again, and after a few calls, I get one of the part timers who can only promise me until 6 P.M. and it’s better than nothing.
“I bet you didn’t get to eat yet, have you?”
I spin around to find Rhett again, leaning against the front counter.
“I’ll never lie to you. No, I haven’t. It’s been such a zoo today.”
He holds up a takeout bag with a smile. “Someone told me your guilty pleasure is a Philly cheesesteak sandwich from the diner.”
