“Since when?”
I cover with, “I’m already seeing too much of them. Who knew living with your best friend could be too much of a good thing.”
Laura laughs, picking up a coffee pot. “Well, too bad. Kylie’s already started and you know how confusing it can get when we swap tables. I’m sure you and your bestie can handle it.”
I fake a smile and ready my station. Lucky for the other tables in my section, they’re about to get a whole lot of attention. I’m willing to do anything to avoid Tabitha’s snarky comments.
I start Mr. Nelson and the grandparents on coffee while they wait for the others. Gandalf gurgles while I stroke his stomach. It’s weird to think he’ll be gone in a few hours.
For the next fifteen minutes, I busy myself with tables until the distinct noises of Kai and the others bustle into the cafe. My back seizes and I carefully look their way. My gaze stays low, scared to look her directly in the eyes. I’ve barely seen her outside of school, so I don't know if her vindictiveness is better or worse in a different environment. A twinkle of hope lights inside me. Maybe it’ll be better. There has to be a reason Kai keeps gravitating toward her when school finishes.
Everyone at the table makes a fuss, leaping up to welcome Tabitha with hugs. While they huddle together, I edge toward the table to collect Gandalf. With all the focus on Tabitha, I don’t want him to get neglected.
“You can leave him here,” Milo says softly, moving toward the other end of the table. “I’m happy to watch him while you work.”
“It’s okay,” I say with a smile. “I’ll put him behind the counter. Things at your table might get a little preoccupied.”
He shakes his head. “I won’t though.”
I lean in and whisper. “I know your mom, though. She’ll drag you into the conversation whether you like it or not.”
A faint laugh slips out of Milo. “Okay, you take him. Getting up to check on him will give me a good excuse to leave the table.”
I nod and can’t help eyeballing the group. I wonder how it went meeting her parents. I zero in on Mrs. Nelson. She’s usually a good judge of character. Can she see-through Tabitha?
I look back at Milo, about to ask how the drive over here went, when the family disperses around the table. I jump when Mrs. Nelson asks me for coffee. Without looking up, I take Kai and Tabitha’s drink orders. Kai orders a ToastyS’more milkshake for her, saying she’ll die and go to heaven. I could arrange that. There’s rat poison locked away in the office.
I ask Milo if he’d like his usual, and he replies with a coy smile and slight nod. No one notices the lingering stare we share, too busy asking Tabitha for her life story. It’s super weird. Usually, especially with Grandma and Grandpa around, I’m the center of attention. Now, as I serve drinks, take the breakfast order, and serve it, I’m invisible.
This has never happened before.
I’ve never been invisible to anyone with the last name Nelson.
My eyes burn holes into the back of Tabitha’s head. She’s the invader. Her evil plan is to turn them all against me. Why didn’t I see this coming? She won't insult me in my workplace. She’s torturing me by making me watch her take away my second family.
Thank goodness for the other tables. I put the Nelsons out of my mind as I take orders, serve food, and clear away dirty plates. Every time I go in and out of the kitchen, I check on Gandalf, who pleasantly lies in his carrier.
When my section gives me a break, I lean against the counter for a breather. Kai pivots his head, looking for me. When he spots me, he grins eagerly and excuses himself from the table. As he walks toward the counter, I watch behind him. Tabitha turns with her mouth ajar, wary of her boyfriend leaving her for me.
Yes! Internal fist bump.
Kai leans against the counter beside me. His heels bounce with nervous enthusiasm as he looks back at the table. “It looks like it’s going well, right? The fam seems to like Tabby. Don’t you think so?”
“Yeah, I guess. From what I can see. I’m too busy working to keep tabs on things.”
“You don’t care if today goes well?”
“Why did she want to comehereto meet your family?” I ask begrudgingly. “Tabitha and her friends have never come here before. I figured it was beneath them.”
“What can I say?” Kai replies. “Once word got around that Ash and his girlfriend loved the shakes here, everyone wants in on the trend. This place will be the newitplace.”
I roll my eyes. “Wow. Aunt Maddy will be thrilled.”
Kai pinches my cheek. “Cheer up. More business equals more ways for your aunt to pay your school fees.”
I fold my arms and frown. “So I don’t have to study anymore?”
“So we can get back to having more fun together.”
