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With a warm smile, I say, “If there’s anything else I can get you, just let me know,” and turn for the counter, hoping the only thing they’ll need from me is their bill when they’re done.
But luck isn’t with me today. The bell above the door chimes and my parents walk in. A part of me hopes they sit in Rylie’s section, but luck is just a bitch. I breathe in and exhale slowly as they seat themselves in my section.
Finding the energy to fake a smile, I walk over to them and chirp, “Hi, I’m Holly, and I’m your waitress today. What can I get you?”
Dad beams at me, something I haven’t seen him do in my general direction for years. “Now, there’s a welcoming we haven’t seen here in a long time.”
Yay me!
I refrain from rolling my eyes and position the pen to paper. Mom rattles off her order of coffee and pancakes, and Dad orders coffee with a full breakfast.
“I’ll put your order in and return with your coffees.”
Pegging the order at the kitchen window hatch, I grab the pot of freshly brewed coffee.
I’m pouring their drinks when some of the guys from the club walk in, Tal being one of them.
I stay focused on my task, even though I can feel him looking at me.
My dad looks at me expectantly. “You seem to be fitting in well, but can you see yourself doing this for the rest of your life?”
“Of course not, Daddy,” I giggle. “I’ve barely survived the last week.”
“Then you’ll focus on your schoolwork then, yes?”
Nodding, I’m saved from continuing the conversation when Hank calls me into the kitchen. On my way, Tal’s eyes follow my every step, and I smother a smile. Last night, he was so easy to talk to, and he’s the first guy to understand the irrational thoughts that run through my head— the ones even I struggle to process.
“What’s up, Hank?”
“After you’ve dealt with your parents, take your break.”
Finally.
I busy myself with cleaning the counter down while I wait for Hank to call my parents’ order and dare to sneak a peek at Tal, only to find him strutting toward me.
My heart thumps a little harder, then pounds nervously when I remember my father is here, and will no doubt be watching.
“Hey,” he drawls. “How you doing today?”
“I’m good, just busy.”
I dart my eyes over to my parents, where my mom is distracted with something on her cell, but my father, as I knew he would, is staring daggers at Tal.
“Can I see you again tonight?”
“Um, I’m not sure. Probably.”
The last thing I need is my dad jumping on my back over a guy.
“Is there something wrong?” he asks, stepping in front of my view of my father, but not in time to stop me from seeing him rising from his seat with a scowl.
“Unless you want to meet my father, you’d do well to go back to your table.”
Looking over his shoulder, he nods, like he’s contemplating it.
“Yeah, I’m not into meeting the parents. Will I see you tonight?”
“Sure, if you go now.”
