You have no idea. ?? At least give me your phone number, so I don’t have to message you on this app. C’mon, I want to hear your voice.
I snicker as I stroll from my car toward work. I swiftly reply.
You give me yours first and I’ll decide if I want to talk to you. I’ve got work. Talk to you later.
I put my phone away.
“Hey,” Mel says as she falls into step with me.
“Hey,” I reply cheerfully.
She tilts her head and points at me, her mouth gaping open. “You’ve been talking to Axle, haven’t you?” She doesn’t allow me to reply. “Tell me all about it! I want details!”
I can’t help but smile back. “He’s really nice, very charming.”
She scrunches her nose. “What did you just say? Did you say he’s nice?”
I inch back, surprised at her reaction. “Yes, he is. He wants to meet me, but I’ve just started talking to him.” I can’t stop the thought of my parents’ disapproval if they knew I was considering meeting up with a stranger.
Her eyes dart away before she glances back at me. “Did you want me to meet up with him first to, you know”—she smiles—“check he’s decent.”
I give her an odd look. “I thought you have met him?”
She shakes her head. “Only seen him and heard about him from others.”
“Um, no, thank you. I haven’t decided what I’m going to do yet.”
We walk inside the restaurant, put our bags away, and put on our aprons. Cameron walks toward us, his eyes sparkling. “Good to see you, ladies.”
I give him a tight smile and squirm under his gaze as his eyes run up and down our bodies.
Mel steps to him and kisses his cheek. “Hey,” she says in a flirty tone, but his eyes stay on me.
“Hello,” I reply to Cameron. I need the money, and apart from his wandering eyes, he’s a kind boss and he gave me an opportunity to leave my hometown. He could be a lot worse, and I’ve made a friend in Mel.
“How’s it living at home with Lucy and the gang?” he asks with a smirk and a raised brow.
“They’re out a lot at college during the day and partying at night, so we haven’t crossed paths often, considering I’m working.”
He chuckles. “They sure love to party. Study hard, play hard. You should come to one of the parties. It’ll be fun.”
I draw back. “I’m not a big party person.” Or a big socializing person. My kind of big night is staying up late to finish a book.
His eyes flash and his smile widens. “Well, we’ll just have to bring the party to you. I’ll get the girls to organize a party at your house.”
Oh fantastic!I force a smile, but deep down I’m dreading it. At least at someone else’s party I can leave when I want to. If it’s at our house, I’ll have to lock myself inside my room. “Oh, you don’t have to worry about throwing a party for me.”
When he leaves to go talk to the other waitresses, Mel leans in close to me. “I told you. He’s got his eyes on you.”
I put that uncomfortable thought to the back of my mind.
She laughs. “He’s flirty and sometimes can get a little handsy, but just think of the money.”
My head whips to her, my eyes bulging. “Handsy?” I squeak.
She brushes me off with a wave. “Don’t stress. It’s only minor touches; like, he doesn’t grab my ass or tits or anything. Just sly feels—like, he brushes against me, stands too close and touches my hip and stuff. Nothing you can’t handle. Trust me, I’ve had worse.”
My breathing and heartbeat have accelerated. I’ve got to find a way to be polite to Cameron while ensuring I don’t flirt back to provoke him and I’m firm if he does touch me. I can’t lose this job. I don’t want to go back home. I’m learning and getting a bit more confident in the position each day.
