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I didn’t think Olivia’s face could get any redder until she proved me wrong.
“I don’t think my boss would appreciate it. The customers might start complaining.”
“Well, we wouldn’t want that to happen. I’d hate to be responsible for you getting in trouble.” With a final glide of my thumbs, I reluctantly let her go and took a few steps back.
“Thank you. Do you want to have a seat?” She gestured to a row over. “That’s my section. You can sit at any of those tables. What would you like to drink?”
I nodded my thanks. “Raspberry lemonade, please.”
My heartbeat ramped in speed at her smile.
“Coming right up.”
While Olivia went to get my drink, I took a seat at the last booth. My fingers tapped a staccato of impatient beats on the top of it. I was anxious for her return. It was crazy, these feelings I had. She was a freshman, for fuck’s sake. I needed to reel this shit back in. Play it cool. I wasn’t some eager teenager. Movement came from the corner of my eye, and I turned to see her heading toward me with my drink. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. Would you like anything to eat?”
“Yeah, I’d like another one of those bacon cheeseburgers. You were right about how good it was.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it. American cheese and extra pickles, right?”
“You remembered?”
Her smile was bright. “That’s how I like mine too, so it was easy to remember.”
“Can you sit for a couple minutes and talk? I don’t mind waiting for my food.”
Olivia glanced around. “Yeah, for a few minutes. I can’t say long though.”
“That’s fine. Jump up whenever you need to run. How were classes today?”
“Not bad. My statistics class is kicking my ass. I’m really enjoying my English class though. It was always my favorite subject anyway. What about you? How was work?”
“Olivia!” Dan called out from the kitchen.
“Shit, I’ll be back.”
She took off at a clip. I couldn’t help but admire her ass. For the next five minutes I sipped on my lemonade and watched Olivia work. She was great with the customers. Even the assholes. Never once did she seem frazzled. I hoped they tipped her well, considering the shit she was putting up with. The next time she came out of the kitchen, she was carrying a plate. She set it in front of me and then took her seat again.
“I only have one table right now, so I’m good for another few minutes.”
“Thanks for the extra fries,” I said, glancing down at the huge pile in front of me.
“You’re welcome. So, you never answered me. How was work?”
I finished chewing before answering. “Today wasn’t a great day. One of my favorite residents passed away.”
Olivia reached across the table and laid her hand on mine. My skin sizzled where she touched me. “I’m so sorry. You have a tough job.”
I was so focused on the sensation that I almost missed what she said. “It’s my least favorite part. That’s why I couldn’t be a doctor like my dad had hoped. I couldn’t deal with death, day in and day out like that. Especially not that closely. They say you become immune to it after a while.” I shrugged. “I’d hate to be so used to it that it didn’t bother me anymore.”
“It takes a special kind of person to handle that. I know I couldn’t do it.”
I turned my hand over so I was holding hers. “He doesn’t ever say it, but I know my dad’s a little disappointed I won’t be joining him in his family practice. We talked about it a lot growing up. I’m passionate about health care and providing quality service to patients.”
“I’m sure what you’re doing is equally important.”
“Maybe.” I shrugged. “I know that’s why he suggested going into hospital administration. I could still do good things for patients without all the hands-on stuff.”
