She returned to me a moment later with my milkshake. I didn’t even drink milkshakes, but I needed a reason to stay longer, and reading the damn Chicago Tribune wasn’t going to be my reason.
“Forty-five minutes,” I said, accepting the shake from her.
She said nothing, offered me a shy smile, then returned to work. I stayed, watching her every movement. The way she greeted people, laughed, and worked had me desperate to know her even more.
Everything the girl did was done with kindness. With patience. With a damn smile that I could see behind. She was a fighter. There was even more to admire about her. I recognized heartache when I saw it. I lived it for many years myself, and truth be told, I still couldn’t escape it.
Her father and I went way back. I’d been in a band with him, Alessio, and Matteo in my college years. Back when things weren’t so awful and dark. We’d had a lot of good times together back then. Four friends, inseparable. But then life happened: John had to go after Calista married Everett, and that was it.
Now I was being blessed with his beautiful daughter. She looked an awful lot like her mother.
I was sure John struggled with it. It likely made his heart ache further and made him mourn his old life. I know it would if it were me.
It made me want to reach out and call him, but I knew he’d cut off ties long ago because of the painful memories of losing it all. I’d continue to respect his wishes.
Of course, that didn’t take Rosalie off the table. There was a reason I was here. Sylar said…
Fuck.
I had to just breathe and not overthink it.
I rechecked the time and noted she’d be clocking out any minute. She passed by wordlessly, leaving my bill and that sweet scent of hers. I smirked at her retreating back. I pulled out a check and wrote it out to her, complete with the fifty thousand I wanted to give her so she’d take off that goddamn uniform.
I even left a little note for her in the memo area.
Quit your job, hummingbird.
I left the diner and stood on the sidewalk, breathing in the city air. I felt nervous, something I rarely ever felt, but it washer. The girl I’d been thinking about since the day I met her.
And him.
Sylar and his cryptic words. Maybe they were what I needed to make this leap. I didn’t know, and I didn’t want to question it. I only wanted to react.
“Here.” Rosalie came to stand next to me on the sidewalk and handed me the tip I’d left her. “I don’t want that.”
“You earn tips, yeah? That’s mine. Keep it.” I looked away from her, knowing the fifty thousand had been a bold move, but I had more money than any one man knew what to do with.
I began to walk away, wondering if she’d follow.
“Klaus. Please. I-I don’t want it.” She grabbed my arm to stop me, and it made my heart lurch. I rounded on her quickly. Her green eyes widened, and her pretty mouth opened in surprise.
“You talk too much,” I said.
She blinked back at me. “You’re… annoying.”
I let out a soft chuckle at that. It was cute.
“Come on, little hummingbird. Let’s go see this apartment.” I gestured for her to follow, and a moment later, Frank pulled up along the curb. He got out and opened the door for us. I shot him a look not to say a damn word about her because I’d throw his ass into traffic. He rolled his eyes at me but remained quiet.
“Where to?” Frank asked as he got behind the wheel.
I looked at Rosalie for direction. I had no idea where she needed to go.
I smirked as she said the address in her sweet voice. I could tell she was nervous by the tremor in her voice and the shake in her hands. I wanted to wrap my hand around hers and kiss away her jitters.
Stop, Klaus. Get it together. This isn’t you.
“That is not a good neighborhood,” I said conversationally as we rode.
