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Five.

“Sir,” I say through gritted teeth. “ I am so sorry. Please accept my apology. My behavior was incredibly rude and it’s been a terrible week for me.”

He nods. “It’s forgotten.”

“Thank you. Our other waitress tonight will be taking over for me.” I turn to leave but he reaches out and grabs my hand, sending a zap of electricity down my spine. My eyes widen as I turn back to him.

“I don’t want the other waitress. I want you.”

I want you.

The words rattle around in my brain, conjuring up images that I have absolutely no business thinking. I can’t look away from him as I search for an appropriate thing to say that won’t get me fired but my mind isn’t working as quickly as usual with his warm grip on my wrist.

“I’m…uh, I’m afraid that’s not possible. Again, I’m so sorry.” I rip my arm out of his grasp and retreat into the back as Mia follows me.

“That last part looked intense. What did he say?”

I shake my head. “Nothing important. I think he’s ready to order, though.”

“Okay,” she chirps before practically bouncing out from behind the counter. If he didn’t like my sweet voice, he’s going to hate hers. That gives me a little satisfaction and I smile as I make my way back out to the dining room to check on my other tables.

One of my regulars, Devlin, walks in and I smile as he saunters up to the counter.

“Tate! You’re back!”

I laugh, nodding. “I am. Where do you want to sit today, Devlin?”

“Right here is good,” he answers, pointing to one of the open seats at the counter and I meet him there with a menu and silverware. Devlin is probably in his mid-fifties and handsome as can be. He’s been one of my regulars pretty much since I started here, coming in a few times a week.

“So, how have you been, Dev?” I ask, propping my elbows on the counter and he grins.

“Missin’ you, Darlin’.”

I laugh, swatting his shoulder playfully. Devlin has always been sweet to me and even a little flirty but I know it’s all in good fun. He’s told me many times about the woman he loved who died and you can see it in his eyes that he’ll never get over her. It’s honestly a little inspiring.

“You’re such a damn flirt. You want your usual today?”

“Mm,” he hums, glancing down at the menu. “Bring me a sweet tea and give me a minute to look things over.”

I nod. “You got it.”

I spin around to get his sweet tea and catch table thirteen watching me again as Mia walks behind the counter. “Damn, that man is grumpy.”

“Looks like he’s got eyes for Tate,” Rico, one of the other guys in the kitchen, says and I roll my eyes but don’t say anything.

I pour Devlin’s sweet tea and set it down in front of him as he continues studying the menu. While I wait for his order, I seat two other tables in my section and get their drink orders.

“You ready, Dev?” I ask when I get back to the counter and he nods, handing me back the menu.

“I think I’m feeling the BLT today if Shaun can hook me up with a little extra bacon.”

“I got you, big man,” Shaun calls out, pointing to him and Devlin smiles.

“Coming right up,” I tell him and glance up as a few more people sit at my tables, quickly losing myself in work.

* * * *

Glancing up at the clock, I sigh. My shift ends in five minutes and I’m ready to go back to Mom’s house and crash. As I scrub the counter clean, I wonder how long it will take before I can start thinking of it as my house instead of Mom’s. I spent most of my childhood there so why now is it all of the sudden not my home? I feel like I can’t change anything or move things because Mom will be home any minute and she likes her house the way it is.