Page 64 of Don’t Forget Me

“Yes, ma’am. What table are they sitting at?”

“Table Six.”

Table Six was a reserved section of The Black Orchid. Only high-profile clients were allowed into the area. I hadn’t known that Table Six existed when I first applied as a server, my colleagues showed me when I started working.

Only the most eligible employees were allowed to serve Table Six.

“Cullen Skink and Clootie Dumpling ready!” A chef yelled.

Swiftly, I grabbed a large black tray and set the plates over it.

“Excuse me! Table Six incoming!” I screeched. The others dressed in all black and a white apron pushed aside as I made my way to the swinging doors that would lead me to the front of the restaurant.

My stomach twisted within me as I neared the Table Six area. It was at the far corner of the pub. Covered in black curtains all around, with a round booth in the middle, and the circular lamps hung above the center, at least that’s how my coworkers had described it. As I pushed past the curtains, I saw a familiar blonde boy facing me. The boy had been conversing with someone else.

“That girl was totally into you. Why didn’t you⁠—”

When I examined the other boy, I realized that it was Ezra.

“Oh, that’s banging! The servant is here. Make haste, lassie, I’m famished.” Zack motioned his hand for me to approach their table. It maddened me just how much Zack refused to even acknowledge me. He spoke to me as if I was some random server, instead of the girl he shared three of his classes with, and his best friend’s friend.

Ezra slowly turned toward me. There was confusion knitting his brows. I cleared my throat, setting the platter on the center of the table. “I hope you are finding everything to your liking. Would you like anything else?” I questioned.

“I want another Coke. Go fetch me another,” Zack ordered.

I drew in some air and beamed. I wasn’t fond of Zack. I observed him in some of my classes. Well, whenever he decided to even show up. Most of the time, he would be absent or arrive in the middle of class, usually complaining about a headache.

I dashed out of the Table Six area, feeling Ezra’s gaze piercing my back. Inhaling and exhaling with every step that I took. This was my job. I had to serve them well. That was what Miriam told me. Didn’t matter if I liked the customers or not. I walked through the bar table and grabbed a glass cup, filling it with Coke.

As I headed back to Table Six, the cold beverage shook between my fingers. I clenched my jaw as I opened the curtains again.

“Here’s your Coke. Have a great night. I’ll be back in a few minutes to make sure your stay is going smoothly,” I said in a monotonous tone. I’d learned that line and said it thousands of times already.

This was the first time I ached when I said the words.

Two months of working here, and I was happy that Ezra hadn’t known. But now, my secret was out. My face was flushed as I walked back to the kitchen.

twenty nine

LYSANDRA

5 YEARS AGO

After that night at the square, in the heart of Edinburgh, I couldn’t get Ezra out of my head. I saw the pained look on his face, but I didn’t know what to say since I’d clearly hurt him. And when he saw me at The Black Orchid, my embarrassment only doubled.

He had been avoiding me, and I didn’t like it. I missed his presence, his company, his laugh. He still spoke to me, to be cordial, but it still wasn’t the same. I thought I could try to make it up to him.

My fingers grazed the edge of the seal. Thorned roses were imprinted on the wax. Swiftly, I walked to his dorm and slid the letter under his door before anyone realized. And I prayed that his roommate—Davi—wouldn’t open the envelope. I would probably throw myself off a cliff if he did.

Why was I so nervous? It’s not like I was confessing my undying love for Ezra. I was simply requesting him to meet me at a certain location so we could talk. As friends. Just friends. That’s all we were, and that’s all we ever would be.

Ugh, just friends.

As much as I enjoyed the particular feeling I got whenever I was around Ezra, or whenever I thought about him, I didn’t know how I’d feel with people knowing that I even had emotions in the first place. I had set up a reputation for myself. I was known as the heartless rubbish bin from California. I didn’t take it as an insult; those girls had nothing better to do than leech off of the lives of others to have some sort of amusement.

I examined the dress I’d been wearing. There had been a slight V-line drop with a brooch accenting it. The waistline had been cinched on one side, and the dress was fresh and flowy. The dress was white and beige, transporting me into a 1950s cottagecore garden party. A pearl drop hung from my neck. I smiled.

I prepared my bag, headed out, found myself a cab, and arrived at my destination. I was almost certain that Ezra would enjoy the scenery.