Eddie walks me to the bus stop, and we wait silently, both lost in our own thoughts.
“What time do you finish work tonight?” he asks me.
“Eight.”
“I can’t pick you up at that time. I’m still working.”
“That’s okay.” I smile and put my arm around my sweet little bouncer. He’s taken Christopher’s place as my personal bodyguard, coming to collect me when I’m working late. “It’s hardly even dark then. I’ll be fine.”
The bus pulls up, and I kiss his cheek. “Thanks for walking me to the bus stop.” I smile. “Have fun at work.”
“I won’t.” He rolls his eyes. “You too.”
“I most definitely won’t either.” I climb on the bus and take a seat and wave as we drive away.
I love Eddie.
Four hours later
I clear up table nine and wipe it down. I collect all the dishes and put them onto the tray, and I turn to go back to the kitchen, and I stop on the spot.
Christopher is standing at the front of the restaurant; his big eyes search mine.
I smile softly, and so does he. He walks toward me, and I put the tray of plates down and walk toward him.
“Hi,” he whispers as he takes me into his arms.
Emotion overwhelms me. “Took your sweet time,” I whisper.
“Trust me, it was anything but sweet.” He kisses me softly, and his lips linger over mine.
“What have you got to say for yourself?”
He gives me a big beautiful smile. “Let’s fucking do this.”
Chapter 15
He takes my face in his hands and kisses me, a mix of relief and happiness with a perfect swipe of the tongue. We smile against each other’s lips, and we kiss again and again. “Are you okay?” I whisper.
“I am now.” He kisses me again.
“That was your first and last chance,” I murmur.
“Fair call.” His kiss deepens, and we forget where we are.
“Hey,” my boss calls. “She’s working.”
“I’ve got to go.” I smile as I try to step back.
Christopher holds my face to his as if unable to let me go. “Not yet.” He kisses me again, and I feel it to my bones. “What time do you finish?”
“Eight.”
“I’ll pick you up?”
“Okay.” I step back from him.
“We’ll go on a date?” he asks hopefully.
I smile. “Okay.”
“Okay,” he repeats as he stares at me. “Okay . . .” He nods as if reassuring himself.
“You said that already.”
“Okay.” He frowns. “I did, didn’t I?” He steps backward into the cutlery stand. “Sorry,” he says to it before realizing it isn’t a person. He chuckles, embarrassed. “Eight?”
He’s nervous.
“Okay.” I laugh.
“That’s lots of okays,” he replies.
“Will you two knock it off?” my boss calls.