CHAPTER FIFTY - NINE

NICK WALKER ©

The exams were over, and the holiday had finally started. But I hadn't been able to reach Enzo for the past three days.

He hadn't come to my house, and I hadn't seen him at work either. He wasn't replying to my texts or answering my calls.

I couldn't stop worrying.

I just wanted to know if he was okay.

Was he sick?

“Aren't you going to eat?” Avery asked as we sat down for lunch.

I sighed as I stared at the food in front of me.

“If you're not going to eat it, give it to me,” Avery said, pulling my plate toward herself.

Seriously?

Before she could take another bite, Mira smacked the back of Avery's hand with her spoon and pulled the plate back to me.

“Ow! That hurt.”

“Mira, apologize,” I said quickly as I took Avery's hand to check it.

“How did you even choose her as your friend?” Mira asked, shaking her head as she continued eating.

“He wasn't eating. You didn't have to be so harsh,” Avery said, rubbing the spot where Mira had hit her.

“Well... sorry,” Mira mumbled.

Avery smiled and gently pinched Mira's cheek.

I frowned.

“Oh, I'm fine now. Mira hardly ever apologizes, so I'm taking this into my record,” Avery said with a grin.

I shook my head in disbelief and looked back at my phone.

“Is this about Enzo?” Mira suddenly asked.

I looked at her right away.

“Huh?”

“It has to be about him. Nick hasn't been able to reach him for three days,” Avery told Mira.

I let out a nervous laugh and nudged Avery's foot under the table.

I cleared my throat and set my phone down.

“I'm just worried. Maybe he's just busy with something,” I said as I picked at my food.

“Or maybe he found someone else,” Mira said.

Avery suddenly choked on her food and quickly grabbed the glass of water beside her.

My heart skipped at Mira's words.

I hurried over and gently patted Avery's back.

“You okay?” I asked.

“Mira,” Avery groaned.

Mira only shrugged.

“I don't know why you choked. Last time I checked, my brother isn't dating Enzo... right, Nick?” she asked, looking up at me.

I swallowed and gave a nod.

“No, we aren't,” I said with a nervous laugh.

Mira was only nine, yet she was smart enough to know we weren't even dating.

Or... were we?

I carried my plate to the sink and got ready for my shift at the bar.

Mira and Avery quietly argued while I got ready. I looked at my phone one more time before letting out a sigh.

∆∆

~ FIVE STAR CLUB AND BAR ~

I had to admit it. Mira's words had been stuck in my head all day.

I bit my lower lip and took a deep breath.

Fuck.

I missed Enzo.

I missed his touch. I missed his scent.

I let out a shaky breath and looked around the bar.

Just then, I saw Mr. Kyle walking out with a few of his men.

Without thinking, I left my station and hurried after him.

“Mr. Kyle,” I called, running a hand through my hair as I tried to catch my breath.

His men stopped me before I could reach him, but he signalled to them to step aside.

“Is your shift over?” he asked, glancing at the watch on his wrist.

“No. Actually...” I paused and lowered my head.

“I'm worried about Enzo. I haven't been able to reach him.”

“Is something wrong? Is he sick?”

He sighed. “Enzo will contact you soon.”

I grabbed his hand as I let out another shaky breath.

“Please... please tell me if there's anything I should know,” I said. “Enzo always stops by or sends me a text, even when he's busy. I'm getting worried.”

He let out a quiet sigh and gave me a small smile. Then he placed a comforting hand over mine.

“He'll reach out to you soon,” he said gently.

I slowly pulled my hand away and nodded.

“He hasn't... found someone else, has he?” I asked before I could stop myself.

Mr. Kyle let out a scoff and looked at me.

He gave my shoulder a reassuring pat.

Then he turned and walked toward his car, his men following behind.

I stood there alone, biting the inside of my cheek.

“You're fine, Nick,” I whispered to myself. “Everything's okay.”

I watched Mr. Kyle's car drive down the road before slowly making my way back inside.

“Hey, Nick. Where did you go?” one of my coworkers asked.

“Sorry,” I said quickly.

I returned to my station behind the bar and got back to servicing the customers.

But my mind wasn't on work.

Whatever was going on, I had to find out about Enzo.

I didn't care how I was going to see Enzo but I must see Enzo.