Huffing in frustration, I set my things in a booth, turn on the jukebox, and start flipping chairs before sweeping and mopping. As much as I love this job, a part of me wishes the other girls loved it just as equally. I know Elaine and Bob try their best, but things like this are a common occurrence.
Today I am just taking it harder than most days. I’m in a slump. My rare, fun night out was quickly dulled by the disaster with Derek. I think that’s why I’m so in my feelings. Every part of me realizes that Derek was gaslighting me, but then the self-doubt creeps in and makes me question everything. Derek was only like that toward the end of our relationship—controlling, angry, narcissistic. In the beginning he was everything a girl could possibly want—sweet, kind, always knew the right things to say, and constantly put me before himself. However, it became suddenly clear at the end of our relationship that Derek had a serious problem with addiction.
Then, there’s Kayden. I knew the moment I saw him that I would never forget his blue eyes. They pulled me in, sank into my very bones, and have had a grip on me all these years. I never in a million years thought I would see him again, though. Maybe I had hoped… but now he’s suddenly showing up in my life where I least expect it. I’m drawn to him, there’s no denying that. There is something about this man that has a hold on me. Maybe it’s the way he held my gaze in that house years ago, like he knew me. Like he saw all my broken pieces and wanted nothing more than to put them back together again.
Part of me hopes he’s my stalker. The thought intrigues me. There’s fear there, but it’s overridden by a desire I can’t quite putmy finger on. Now that I think about it, none of these strange occurrences started happening until after that day he showed up at the diner.
There’s no denying my attraction to him. Any sane woman would be crazy not to be. He’s tall, easily over six feet, ocean-blue eyes, and a smirk that will make even the strongest woman weak in the knees. He’s a walking wet dream.
A knock on the front door shakes me from my thoughts, startling me enough to drop the mop on the checkered floor with a loud clatter. I’ve been jumpy ever since the situation with Derek outside Club LAX on Saturday. The clock on the wall shows we still have two hours before we open at 6:00 A.M. I’m not expecting Max or Elaine for another hour. Who could be here this early?
As I approach the door to peer outside, chills run along my spine when I find the sidewalk empty. Tilting my head up and down the street, I still don’t see a single person. My breath fogs up the clear glass and I take slow steps back, my hands shaking as fear grips me by the throat. My pulse pounds in my ears and I start to slowly count back from twenty to ground myself.
Twenty, nineteen, eighteen, seventeen…
Before I know it I’m at zero and there isn’t any more sound in the diner except for the quiet music coming from the jukebox in the far corner. Maybe I imagined it.
Another knock sounds, but this time it’s louder and sounds like it’s coming from the door in the rear of the diner. My heart leaps into my throat, terror encompassing me as I’m plunged into darkness. Dropping down behind one of the booths, I take my cell out of my apron to scroll through my contacts. The phone shakes with the force of my unsteady hands as I call Elaine first, but it goes straight to voicemail. I call again with the same result. I huff in frustration and fear, my eyes darting left and right as I desperately listen for any further sounds. As I continuesearching my contacts for Max’s info, I scroll past the K’s when a name makes me scroll back up the list. Kayden? What is Kayden doing in my contacts? Did Melody put his number in my phone when I went to the bathroom at the club? Shaking my head in annoyance, I continue to scroll to the M’s and click call on Max’s name.
It must still be too early for everyone. Max’s phone rings and rings and doesn’t even go to a voicemail. I’m getting desperate. Do I call the cops? What if it’s nothing? I’ll have a lot of explaining to do, and right now, with my new identity, I prefer to stay away from the law unless I can absolutely help it.
“Fucking hell…” I say right before I click the call button. “He probably won’t even answer.” The phone rings twice.
“Dani?”
“Kayden… I need help.” My voice shakes as I fight back tears. I yelp in fear when I hear another pound on the back door.
“What is going on? Where are you?” He must hear the fear in my voice as he’s instantly on alert.
“I’m at the diner. I think someone is trying to get in, o-o-or someone, maybe Derek, is messing with me. The power cut out. I called everyone else, I didn’t want to involve the cops. I didn’t know who else to call,” I ramble on before Kayden cuts me off.
“Dani. Listen very closely to me. Where are you in the diner?”
“I’m in the front, hiding behind one of the booths.”
“OK, Dani. I want you to stay there. Keep your phone on silent. Do. Not. Move. I’m on my way now. When I get there, I’ll give three knocks so you know it’s me. Only then do you get up and move, do you understand me?”
“Y-yes.”
“Good girl.”
The call disconnects and I hug the cell phone to my chest, squeezing my eyes shut. This can’t be happening to me right now.
Every few minutes there’s a pounding on the front door or the back door, alternating as though they are trying to fuck with my mind. The thunder and lightning persists, causing the diner to fill with light and cast menacing shadows along the walls. I can only hope Kayden gets here soon.
It feelslike forever passes until I hear three quick knocks on the front door.
Fear prevents me from moving a single inch, and when I don’t immediately get up, my phone lights with a call as Kayden’s name flashes across the screen.
Hitting answer, my voice trembles as I pick up. “H-hello?”
“Hey, spitfire, it’s me at the front door. Open up.”
“OK… one sec.”
Walking on shaky legs, I hurry to the front door. Turning the lock, Kayden pushes the door open and grabs me by my shoulders, bringing his eyes down to my level. It’s hard to see each other, but I can just make out his blue eyes. “Are you hurt?”
“No. No, just terrified. Thank you for coming, I didn’t know who else to call and I didn’t?—”
