5

I picked up a couple extra shifts at Kiki’s the next week, trying to make up for the loss of money on Saturday night. Alaric never text me any further and I had pushed him and his green eyes out of my mind.

I rushed around, taking care of my tables in the middle of the week over the lunch hour when Ace came in. My smile at his appearance faded as I approached him and saw his dark shades on despite being indoors.

“Why do you have sunglasses on indoors?” I jokingly asked him as I reached over to take them off.

He swatted my hand away. “I came here to eat, not for fashion advice.”

My stomach dropped as I took in the sight of him. His hair which he normally straightened and styled was curly and unkept. His jaw was set and his hands twitching slightly. He shifted on his feet as though he couldn’t stand still. His clothes were baggy and he was far from the nicely dressed appearance he normally gave out.

He was on drugs again.

“What do you want?” I asked him softly.

He laughed at me as though I was stupid. “I want to eat” he announced as he looked around him as though to show everyone nearby how dumb of a question I had just asked. “Why else do people come to restaurants?”

I stepped slightly closer to him, my voice lowering. “I don’t think you’re in the mindset to … “

He grabbed my upper arm, his fingers digging in painfully to my skin. “Don’t tell me what the hell I can or can’t do. Give me a fucking table before I slam your head into one.”

He let go of my arm and I quickly stepped back, my adrenaline pumping through my veins. I drew in a shaky breath as I nervously grabbed a menu and led him to a table.

He slid into the booth and opened the menu. He browsed over it as I turned to leave to help my other tables. He grabbed my wrist as I stepped away and I quickly turned back toward him.

“Where the hell you going?” he snapped at me.

I tried to pull my wrist away be his fingers dug in. “I have other tables,” I hissed at him. “I can’t just wait on you.”

He pulled the sunglasses off, revealing bloodshot eyes which glanced around before yanking on my wrist and pulling me toward him. “I’m the only thing you worry about, got it?”

I nodded, his breath smelling of alcohol. He let go of my wrist and I stood upright as I nervously looked down at him.

He smiled, but it wasn’t the smile I loved. This one was mean and condescending. “Relax baby. I’m not going to hurt you, okay? I just want some food.”

I forced the lump in my throat down. “Okay,” I replied.

I turned away from him and walked toward the kitchen. I sent back an order for what he normally ordered before leaning over the counter and taking a long, deep breath to try to calm myself.

“I just seated table fifteen for you,” Sarah, another waitress, hollered at me.

I nodded and slowly pushed away from the counter as I took one last breath. I walked over toward table fifteen, my eyes on my worn sneakers, as I took a deep breath and plastered my best fake smile on. I lifted my eyes and met shining green ones which made my heart skip a beat.

“Stella,” Alaric smiled happily as he said my name in his delicious British accent. He had on a white, button up shirt with black, vertical stripes. The top half of the shirt was unbuttoned, revealing his solid chest and a silver cross necklace. His dark blue jeans clung tightly to his legs. His wavy, brown hair fell downward on either side of his face topped with a tan fedora with a black ribbon. He had random rings and bracelets adorning his fingers and wrists. He looked so different than both times I had seen him previously it took me by surprise. His pure handsomeness took my breath away as I drank in the sight of him.

“I’m sorry,” I finally forced out as I picked my jaw up from the floor. Heat rushed to my cheeks, knowing he had obviously saw me checking him out. My fingers fumbled for the pad of paper and pencil in my apron. I knew I looked a mess and I mentally cursed myself for leaving the house without makeup. My fingers shook as I grabbed the paper and the pencil and looked back up at him, for the first time noticing there were two other men at the table with him. I recognized the man with the dark hair and blonde highlights from the boxing match, but the other I had never seen before. He was an older man, with a goatee and a bald head.

“What can I get you guys?” I asked nervously as I glanced between them.

They each placed orders for various types of burgers, fries, and soda before I quickly scattered away. I took some deep breaths, trying to calm my racing heart as I got Ace drink. I went to his table and sat it down in front of him before checking on my other tables.

I got the drinks for Alaric’s table, but thankfully he wasn’t there when I brought them. I went toward the kitchen and scooped up Ace food and took it to him.

“You know me too well, babe,” he grinned as he looked at the food. He took my hand into his and pulled me down toward him for a quick kiss.

I stood back up and pulled a receipt out of my apron and set it onto the table beside his food. “Here’s your bill. Don’t forget to tip your waitress.” I playfully winked at him as I turned to leave.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” he barked out as I turned back toward him. “I don’t pay for this shit.” He grabbed the receipt and held it out to me.

“It’s a restaurant” I drew out in a low voice to avoid a scene from his raised one. “You order food, you eat it, and you pay.”

“Fuck that shit,” he spit out at me as he crumpled the receipt in his hand and threw it at me. “I’m your boyfriend. I don’t pay for crap here.”

“Ace,” I hissed as I picked the receipt up off the floor. “If you don’t pay this then I will have to cover it.”

“Fine with me” he grinned as he leaned back in his seat. “Go ahead and give yourself a good tip, too.”

“You’re a … “ I started but stopped as he suddenly shot up out of booth and stood toe to toe with me.

“I’m a what?” he challenged in a low, threatening voice. “Go ahead, finish your sentence. I’m a what?”

I lost my voice and nerve as I slowly shook my head. “Nothing. I’ll pay it.”

“Damn right” he chuckled as he gave me a kiss on the cheek and sat back down triumphantly. “Don’t forget the tip!”

I spun around and rushed toward the restroom in the far corner of the restaurant with my head down as I quietly cursed Ace out.

What was I doing? Yes, I loved him. Yes, he was amazing when he wasn’t on drugs. But when he was on them, he was heartless. He was cruel. I didn’t want this anymore.

With my eyes on floor, I crashed into someone in my blind rush. I stumbled backwards as arms grabbed me. We stumbled a moment before regaining our balance and standing upright.

“I’m so sorry,” I rushed out as I looked up and met Alaric’s concerned green eyes.

“You alright?” Alaric asked in his accent which sent my heart into a tizzy.

My jaw dropped open, but no words came out as my mind tried desperately to grasp some words, any words, but came up empty.

“I think you were in the middle of cursing the hell out of someone,” he chuckled.

“You weren’t supposed to hear that,” replied softly.

“Hear what?” he smiled his gorgeous smile and I literally felt my knees weaken.

What was wrong with me that I became a messy, unintelligent wreck around him?

“I should get back to work,” I finally forced out as I turned to leave.

“Stella.”

I turned toward him at the sound of my name.

He stared silently at me for a second. “You didn’t come for the fight.”

I wanted to tell him the truth, but the rejection tore at my heart and sealed the secret to protect it. “I was busy. I’m sorry.”

He looked disappointed as he nodded his head and I turned away to leave without another word.

Ace ate his food and left without even saying goodbye. Alaric didn’t say much more to me besides the common courtesy “thank you” as the food was served. They left a more than generous tip and, as I picked up the signed bill, I noticed Alaric had forgotten his hat.