Trying to live

Royals was bustling with customers, so many that even Jenna seemed overwhelmed. The sheer number of people instilled a fraction of fear in my heart. It wasn't that I couldn't handle crowds, but the lack of space always made me anxious. Working in a bistro meant constant interaction, but I mostly talked to people I was comfortable with—my colleagues, Helga, and Earl.

There were days when I would just stay quiet and do my job. Being smiley and talkative could be exhausting, and all I wanted was to crawl back into bed. Today was one of those days. I had even considered calling in sick, but I decided against it. I had already taken too much time off, and staying home would mean overthinking or dwelling on the past.

The past was not a good place for me.

So, I came to work only to realize it would be a hectic day, and Dean was late.

I glanced at Jenna, who was juggling cleaning tables and taking orders. Caesar wasn't working today, but he was here and would drive me home later. It should've been Dean, Jenna, and me—three people were usually enough. But today, two weren't cutting it.

I took an order and processed the payment. Once that was done, I started making the coffees to help Jenna. After delivering the coffee to go, I went on to get the orders to the right tables.

I was relieved I hadn't broken any plates or cups. Maybe I was better at waiting tables than I thought, driven by pure adrenaline. Jenna kept glancing back, hoping Dean would magically appear, smirk, and say, "I've been here the whole time." But he had already missed half the day and still wasn't here. Jenna had called him multiple times, but he wasn't picking up. I knew she would report this to Rhonda, our boss, who wasn't here today.

Reporting Dean was the right thing to do, but I still felt bad. He needed this job. He was usually responsible, but today he was like me—late, reckless, and, I might add, stupid.

The bell over the door chimed, and I walked back to the counter after delivering sandwiches and drinks. I wiped my sweaty hands on my apron, trying to calm my nerves. At least every customer had their order and seemed content.

I pushed my hair out of my face and plastered on a friendly smile. "Hi, what can I get for you?"

"Nothing. Can I talk to you for a second?" he asked.

Henry looked amazing in his black leather jacket, white shirt, and black jeans. He wore a cap that made him look like an undercover star. I tried to shake the memory of yesterday, of us being so close and the way he stared at my lips, out of my head. But I didn't succeed. The memory was fresh.

But it seemed I was the only one thinking about yesterday. Henry's face was void of any emotions.

I glanced at Jenna, who was leaning against a bar stool, huffing like she had run a marathon. Then I looked at the customers and realized now wouldn't be a good time. I couldn't leave Jenna alone.

I shook my head. "I can't, Dean's not here, and I can't leave Jenna alone."

"Then call him. I don't have the whole day for you," he said sharply.

He was so ignorant. Didn't he understand that Dean wasn't here? How could I call him when he wasn't with me all day?

I scowled. "Dean is n—"

"There he is," Henry interrupted, gesturing behind me.

I turned around and, sure enough, Dean was walking toward us. His brown hair was disheveled, his shirt wrinkled, and his expression pissed.

Jenna, suddenly alert, walked toward him. She opened her mouth, but Dean passed her by and stood next to me.

If Dean was here, I could quickly talk to Henry. I didn't need his negative mood affecting mine. I smiled at Dean. "Hey, can you cover me for a few minutes? I just need to talk to him."