“What?” I forced a smile.
“Nothing. Have a good night!”
I gave her an odd look but started my tables. The first three were tables and last was a booth. I got the drink orders and started toward the fourth, only to freeze.
Desi.
He looked up from his menu and grinned.
Oh, the butterflies were back.
“Hey, stranger.”
I had never smiled so wide.
“You must really like the burgers here,” I joked, walking to his table.
“Food’s not bad.” He smirked. Damn, I adored it.
“How about I bring you a beer?”
“Beer sounds good. You know, I’m still waiting on that pie.”
“Is that why you keep coming back?”
“Something like that.”
“I’ll see what we have in the back.” I couldn’t let him see how excited I was that he had come back, but the moment I broke through the kitchen doors, I screamed. I was so excited to know that I’d get to talk to him at least a little bit tonight, but then fifteen minutes later we were slammed and I was given six more tables. Every time I stopped by his table, he tried to talk to me but I couldn’t spare much time, which I think disappointed us both.
I came back with his check eventually as he was laying out a deck of cards.
“What’s that?”
“Tarot. Do you use them?”
“No. I was raised Catholic.” I fought the urge to cross myself. “I don’t practice now though.”
“Well, you should practice this, then. When you get a break, come, and let me show you the cards.”
“A break?” I motioned around us. “I’m not getting a break tonight. I’ll be busy ’til two am.”
“Okay then, I’ll be here until two.”
“You already paid.”
“Can I have some coffee, please?” He grinned.
Despite his annoying insistence, I wanted him to stay. My stomach tightened and my chest hammered every time I passed him. He stayed, ordering cup after cup of coffee, and playing with his cards while I worked.
The clock struck two, and I sunk into exhaustion. I hurried to the back to change and grab my bag. When I returned to the front of the restaurant, Desi was gone. I went to his table, only to find his bill paid with a hefty tip. I took the cash and waved goodbye to the crew. I went outside, confused, only to find him leaning against his car, shuffling his cards and grinning at me.
“I thought you left.” I laughed, going over to him.
“Why would I leave now? Plus, you haven’t drawn a card.” He extended the deck to me. I was hesitant but took it. They felt heavy and almost evil in my hand. My days in mass listening to father after father tell me things like Tarot cards and fortune telling were witchcraft and would send me to hell formed a pit in my stomach. I swallowed and cut the deck a few times.
“Just one?”
“One card and show me.”
I pulled a card and turned it toward him. The blood drained from his face, as did the smile and glint of mischief I had begun to enjoy in his blue eyes. I looked at the card.
“The Hanged Man. What’s that mean?”
“It means you’re gonna meet someone who’s going to change your life.”
“Oh, like you?” I rolled my eyes. The grin I’d grown attached to returned.
“Maybe. Can I give you a ride home?”
I smiled and decided this was the moment I’d been waiting for all night. The words slid from my tongue with ease. “Sure, if you stop calling my roommate’s dad late at night and call me instead.”
