26
Chris
“Are we lost?” Vic elbows me.
“Me? No, I was just…”
WhatwasI doing? Oh, right – I was thinking about last night.
“You’re being weird today, are you ill?”
“I’m fine.”
“Mmm…”
“What’s wrong with you? Get to work, there are tables that need clearing.”
“Okay, okay, I’m going. Wow, someone’s touchy today.”
Vic walks off and I immediately feel guilty for treating her like that. I don’t usually give orders like that to any of my colleagues, let alone to her.
I make myself another coffee as the queue at the counter gets longer and longer; but today, I really can’t be bothered to work or chat.
I’m in a terrible mood. I feel stupid, messed around. I really feel like shit. I shouldn’t feel like that, I should be used to this – I should know what men are like by now, understand when they’re being dickheads. And I know full well thatheis one. But all it took were his hands, his warm breath against my neck, the illusion that he wanted to kiss me and draw me in, to turn my world completely upside-down. Okay, I’d had two glasses of wine, but I’m sure it was more than that.
Ryan O’Connor is a Greek God, sculpted from pure marble. All tough, smart-arse attitude. He has a horrible personality – always bitter and grumpy – but he has abs to die for, and enormous hands that make you run away with your fantasies, right into your own destruction.
He turned up here, he helped me; then he came close, and I believed that…no. I always end up in the same trap. I’ll never learn.
I should know by now that men like him are never good news. They always lead to sleepless nights, too many glasses of wine, and a nightstand covered in snotty tissues. I should learn that I never attract the right type of guy – never seriously, at least – and I’m tired of hoping for a miracle.
I dejectedly sip at my coffee and go back to work – at least it’ll keep me busy.
“Hey, Chris!”
I look up.
“Oh…Riley,” I say, unnecessarily embarrassed.
“We just popped in for some breakfast,” she says, pointing to a table where the O’Connors are sitting. “It’s my birthday today, and they insisted on spending the morning with me, seeing as they’re not coming along to the party tonight.”
“No way! Really?” I come out from behind the counter and hug her. “Happy Birthday Riley – you look great!”
“I’m getting pretty big.”
“Beautifully big,” I smile at her. “Go sit yourself down, I’ll be right over.”
Riley heads back to their table and sits between the O’Connors, who fuss around her: just as they should. Apart from it being her birthday, she’s Ian’s girlfriend and she’s about to have his baby.
I sigh sadly, grabbing my notepad to take their order.
“Good morning, guys!” I greet them warmly. “I just found out it’s someone’s birthday today.”
Mrs O’Connor hugs her tightly, smiling.
“So, what can I get for you?”
“Three full Irish breakfasts, two cappuccinos and an americano, please.”
