Page 5 of Can't Help Falling in Love
Why did some people think that because she was serving them food, they were free to call her what they wanted, say whatever came to mind? She needed tips, not dates. Even if she could juggle something else in a schedule packed with two jobs, school, and her mom, she wouldn’t be interested in either of these guys. Her gaze wandered to Will and her belly fluttered.
“Thanks, honey,” Redheaded Guy said, pulling her attention back to them.
Smile. A little flirting goes a long way when it comes to tips.
Back at the bar, Brett poured her drinks, smiling widely at a waitress who’d just shown up for her shift.
“Reese is here,” Brett said like she couldn’t see with her own two eyes. “You can take your break. You get a fifteen. She’ll watch your tables. Take these out first.” He nudged the beer forward.
For the first time, Lexi wanted to argue with him. She didn’t want a break. She didn’t need it. But since she wasn’t the boss, she didn’t have much choice. Eventually, when she got her degree, she’d be in a better position.Shecould be the boss. And take a break when she damn well felt like it. She put her apron on her tray before picking up the pints. Brett moved it and her tray behind the bar. How could she get better if they pulled her away from the stove just as it heated up? He’d just given her a pep talk!
Say something. Tell him you’re ready to prove yourself.Instead, she took the beer, headed for the patio. She wanted to finish her own tables today, earn her own tips.
“Can we get those plates, sweetheart?” Dark Hair asked as she dropped off the beer.
Irritation mounted. Maybe Brett wouldn’t think she needed a break if she remembered the things she was supposed to. “Right. Sorry. Be right back.” She needed a shirt that said that.
Stopping by Will’s table, she asked if he wanted more soda. His lips twisted in thought. It was an adorable enough gesture to cut through some of her mad.
“One more. Why not? It’s a beautiful day and I just got to the good part of the book,” he said, passing her his glass.
“The whole book is excellent. One of my favorites by her,” she said, aware of how his voice slid over her, smooth and rich, erasing her annoyance. Their fingertips touched around the glass, giving her an odd dual sensation—icy glass under her palm, heat from his fingertips brushing hers.
A jumble of female voices sounded behind her. More customers. She should just take their orders. Show Brett and herself that she’d be fine.Greet them, ask if they’d like a drink, let Reese know, and take your break.
“If I burn, I’m blaming you, Lena,” an oddly familiar voice teased.
“You won’t burn. If anything, you’ll have a rosy glow for your photo shoot this afternoon,” another equally familiar voice said around a laugh.
Why did she recognize their voices? Lexi’s hand wobbled, making the ice clink against the glass. How was it that a voice could transport a person back in time? She knew those voices. Knew those women. From another time when she’d been a hell of a lot more than she was right now.
Turning her head as slowly as possible, she chanced a look before whipping her face back toward Will.No. No. No. Why now? Why not six months from now when I’ve got my shit together? Why not never? Or when my life hasn’t imploded?
“You okay?” Will’s dark brows moved closer together, his forehead wrinkling.
It took her a second to acknowledge him over the buzzing in her ears. Memories rushed back, flitting through her head like an old-time film reel.
“I haven’t eaten here. It better be worth the points,” that voicesaid. Jacqueline O’Dell. Her nickname in high school was, predictably, Jackie O. Most likely to grace the cover of a magazine. Once upon a time, they’d been friends, both of them heading into life full of optimism and power. Lexi hadn’t seen her in years.
“I’ve heard it’s great,” Becca said. Rebecca Kramer, most likely to throw themed parties, had been another girl in their circle.
One more quick glance showed that they still suited the role of It Girls perfectly. Jackie with her long, silky brown hair. She waved her hand at the two other women, the sun catching on the iceberg-sized diamond weighing down her ring finger. Their laughter and words ran over one another’s with the kind of levity Lexi couldn’t remember feeling.
Lexi’s stomach pitched. She nearly lost her grip on the glass. Will stood, stepped toward her. Lexi’s head spun.
“I don’t think anyone works out here,” said the unknown woman with straight jet-black hair, gorgeously lined dark eyes, and a bright-pink top, looking around. Her gaze caught Lexi’s. “Do you work here?”
The other women looked over. Lexi wished she’d dressed better today instead of throwing on her black jeans and a plain white T-shirt. She’d felt cute when she left the house. Fashion wasn’t exactly high on her radar these days.
It took Jackie less than a nanosecond to recognize her, which should have felt good. Lexi had been someone once orfeltlike a someone. In hindsight, it was easy to feel accomplished in the tiny realm of senior year when you hadn’t taken a step into adulthood and reality yet. As Jackie squealed and came closer, Becca followed suit, and Will slid back down in his chair.
“No, she doesn’tworkhere! Oh my God. Alexandria. What are you doing here?” Jackie’s arms closed around her neck, nearly strangling her with enthusiasm. Will reached out and took the glass back from Lexi’s open, frozen arms.
“Wow, you look great,” Becca said, picking up where Jackie left off when she finally released Lexi’s neck.
They stood in front of her and before Lexi could speak, they gestured to her, looking back at their gorgeous friend.
“This is Alexandria the Great. Seriously. She set every track record we had in school. She beat most of the guys’ scores in several events. Full ride to college, baby.” Jackie’s energy reminded Lexi of the nights they’d studied together, the parties they’d attended after meets. The fun they’d had when they didn’t know how hard the world could really be.
