Obsession

Jenson

The fluttering in my stomach just wouldn't stop. My eyes kept flicking to the door, and each time I caught myself doing it, I felt like kicking myself.

I mean, what was I expecting? Why was I constantly checking the door?

I should be concentrating on the customers, on what they're ordering ... not expecting a certain Italian man to come waltzing into the restaurant, icy blue eyes, snappy suit and all.

Seriously.

Stop it.

Taking a deep breath, I smiled and nodded to the couple at the table I was standing next to as the man handed me back the hand held credit card machine. He slipped his credit card back into his wallet, before getting to his feet.

Glancing down at the machine, I noticed the tip he'd added to the total amount.

Oh my fucking god.

How much?

"Uh ..." I cleared my throat.

Not very professional.

Try again.

"Thank you, sir." Thank you very much.

He smiled at me, nodded once before slipping arm around his wife's shoulders and walking towards the door. Looking down at the machine once more, just to make sure I was reading the figure right, I walked over to the till, dropping the card reader in the drawer underneath.

"How's it going, Jenson?" Alistair was by my side in an instant, that ever present kind and warm smile on his face. "How are you finding things?"

I couldn't help but smile back at him. "I really like it." And I did. The customers were polite, the tips were amazing and the general atmosphere was relaxed, chilled.

Although most of the tables were occupied, there didn't seem to be the hectic and rushing atmosphere of the diner. I wasn't completely rushed off my feet.

Oh, and I didn't have Katie breathing down my neck, wanting to know every single little move I made, asking if I was going to hit on the next pretty girl that walked in.

So yeah ... I was enjoying this job so far.

Alistiar rubbed my back a little. "That's good. I'm happy you like it. You appear to be getting on really well. The customers seem happy."

He glanced around the restaurant, at the customers enjoying their food, at the waiting staff discreetly darting in between tables. "We're halfway through the dinner shift. It will start to get a little quieter from now until closing time."

His attention shifted and he glanced over my shoulder. His smile grew wider as he glanced at me, then gently tapped my shoulder.

"Time to put what you've learned tonight to the real test." He nodded towards the door, so I turned around.

And nearly choked.

Matteo De Luca was walking through the open door to the restaurant, dressed effortlessly in a suit that looked made just for him, fitting him like a glove, a small smile tugging at his lips. A shadow of stubble dusted his chin, accentuating his sharp jawline and his eyes ... those icy blue eyes ...

Holy fuck.

Alistair walked around me and towards Matteo, holding out his hand.

"Mister De Luca, hello." The two men shook hands, Matteo's eyes flickering over to me. "How are you?"

"I'm good, thank you." Those icy blue eyes caught me once again and I blinked, trying to catch my breath.

Oh crap.