Page 9 of Kiss Me Ever After
My gaze fell to the name badge pinned above her left breast. The material of her polo shirt stretched deliciously across her tits. My sense of mischief found it amusing for us to be in a role reversal situation.
“Black coffee, Lennon.” I deliberately let her name roll off my tongue.
“Anything else?”
I couldn’t help myself as my gaze swept over her from head to toe. She shifted uncomfortably, and I hid a smile. “Maybe something sweet?” I suggested.
Her head snapped towards the kitchen. “There’s coffee and walnut cake.” It was a statement, not an offer.
“Sounds good. I’ll be over there.” I jerked my thumb towards a table by the window which had been the last one she’d cleaned.
“Right. I’ll be as quick as I can.”
“Take your time, I’m in no rush.” As if to demonstrate my words, I sauntered over to the table, dragged back the chair and sat down. While I waited, I pulled my phone from my pocket and pretended to be scrolling through social media, all the time keeping my gaze surreptitiously on Lennon. My appearance had clearly surprised her.
A few minutes later, Lennon appeared with my coffee and cake. Her hand shook slightly as she placed the cup down. Part of me wanted to make a comment but I stopped myself. There would be plenty of time later.
The town hall clock chimed five. The woman I thought was the owner turned the sign over to closed as soon as the chimes finished. Her gaze moved to me, and she raised her eyebrows as I chewed slowly on the cake. She must have remembered the fuss I’d made over the prices on my last visit.
Whatever.
I eked out eating the cake for as long as possible, sipping the coffee to make it last. Lennon hovered near me, cleaning tables she’d already made spotless and tidying up condiments. I still didn’t say a word and suspected I was keeping her from going home. The devil in me wanted to order another drink, but I didn’t want to push it. I just wanted to remind Lennon who I was. Not make her completely hate me.
A couple of minutes later, I clicked my fingers to get her attention and made the universal sign to get the bill. She appeared with it straight away, and I could almost feel the cold disapproval bubbling inside her. I baulked at the total price for what was basically a snack. In the previous incarnation of the cafe, I could have breakfasted here at least three times for the same cost.
But it had been worth it though to see the lovely Lennon again.
I debated whether to leave her a tip and emptied a handful of coppers onto the table, along with the right money.
“Thanks for staying open late to accommodate me.” I pushed my chair back, the sound grating through the otherwise empty room.
“No problem,” Lennon replied, with what sounded like forced brightness. “Enjoy the rest of your day.”
“Oh, I’m sure I will.” I couldn’t resist winking at her as I left, feeling her gaze boring into the back of my head.
Lennon occupied my thoughts on my journey home, and I found myself smiling for no reason.
The light and cheery mood soon disappeared as I heard shouting coming from the flat. It had become an all too frequent occurrence between Mum and Ted recently. My mother’s boyfriend was a complete prick. He showed her no respect and treated her like she owed him everything. With him as a so-called father figure, it was no wonder I was screwed up. I barely knew my biological father. According to Mum, he hadn’t stuck around when she’d told him she was pregnant. He’d flitted in and out of our lives, turning up for birthdays and Christmas, until I reached the age of sixteen when he’d disappeared completely. Then Ted had come on the scene, and all attempts to keep in touch with my dad dried up. I always swore to myself I’d never be like either of them should I ever become a father.
To make my presence known, I closed the front door with a bang and the volume of the shouting lowered in response.
“Is that you, love?” Mum called.
“Unless you’ve taken to inviting burglars into the place, who else would it be?” When I got into the living room, they were both sitting down in their usual chairs pretending to watch some soap opera on the television. My gaze flitted between them. “Everything okay?”
“Fine,” snapped Ted. He reached for the can on the table beside him and cracked it open. By the looks of him, it wasn’t his first of the night.
Mum stood up and placed a soothing hand on my arm. “It was a misunderstanding.”
“It always is, Mum.” I shook her off. “What’s for dinner?”
“If you took a more active part in this household, you’d know,” Ted growled. “Your mother shouldn’t have to slave over a hot stove for you to just rock in whenever you please.”
“No, that’s more your style, isn’t it, Ted?” I barked.
He went as if to leap from his chair, but a warning glare from Mum stopped him in his tracks. I smirked and headed into the kitchen, ignoring the words he mumbled under his breath.
I opened the fridge, found some stir-fry ingredients, and set about preparing dinner. I couldn’t let Ted get to me. If all went well, Alex and I would move into our own place once summer was over, then I wouldn’t have to deal with his shit much longer.
