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“Spoilsport.”
Just as I was moving to the staffroom to put my things in my locker, Jo pushed through the double doors from the restaurant.
“Hey, Ionee. Oof, there are some hot young men out there from a band or a TV show… I can’t remember what their manager said now, but man, they are handsome. All tattoos and muscles. I thought you needed a treat, so I’ve put them in your section. Can you take them three beers and get their order? I’ve told them to order anything and Chef will make it for them, so don’t worry if it’s not on the menu.”
“Hey, I heard that. Do you think I can just magic food out of thin air?” Benji yelled.
“You’re a magician, so I know you can, sweetheart.” She winked, and the angry lines on Benji’s face melted away.
“Only because it’s you, Jo.”
“Three beers coming up. What table number?”
“Trust me. You’ll know them as soon as you see them and the enormous men protecting them give it away as well.”
I moved from the kitchen to the bar, taking the beers from the fridge and popping their tops before putting them on a tray. Jo was right. It was easy to spot the security they’d brought with them, but the low light of the space they were sitting in made it hard to see their faces. I walked closer and two of the three men lifted their heads, staring at me open mouthed and it was only when the third man looked up that I knew why.
Archer Walters.
This dark, brooding man’s eyes connected with mine, burning me with his stare. I knew his face so well. I’d stared at it for months. I’d traced the outline of his features, trying to unlock a past I no longer had access to, but seeing him now, here in the flesh, it was too much.
Losing the grip on the tray I was carrying, the bottles smashed loudly to the floor as he called out my name.
And I ran.
Chapter 25
Archer
Pushingupfrommyseat, I chased Ionee through the double doors of the staff entrance, yelling her name.
I could smell the trail of her perfume in the air as I stepped into the kitchen, making my heart ache with memories of her. “Nee, please. Give me five minutes. You owe me that much.”
She turned her head slightly, glancing back over her shoulder, tears filling her eyes. She shook her head, disappearing through another door as a tall man with a meat cleaver in his hand stepped in front of me.
“Sir, you can’t be in here. Please go back to the restaurant.”
“I just need a word with Ionee. I’m an old friend.”
He widened his stance, folding his arms over his chest. “Forgive me, but I don’t think people usually run crying from their friends. I won’t ask you again. Please leave.”
I let out a massive sigh, my shoulders slumping.
“Nee, please,” I yelled desperately, hoping she’d hear the pain in my voice or feel bad about vanishing on me all those months ago, but she didn’t reappear and I was left to slink back to the table.
“Was that really her? What the hell is she doing here?” Fox asked, looking as shocked as I felt.
“I don’t know, but she obviously didn’t want to see me.”
Suddenly, another waitress appeared ready to take our food order. “Sorry, but your other server had to leave for a family emergency, so I’ll be taking care of you tonight. Now what can I get you?”
“Ionee… the other waitress. Can you give me her address? We’re old friends.”
The woman dropped her eyes and shook her head. “Sorry, I can’t do that. You can leave your number and I can pass it on when she’s in for her next shift.”
I frowned. “I can’t do that either.”
“Shame,” she muttered under her breath.
