Page 59 of Nerdelicious
Yes,that is Love—that wind
Of terrible and jealous beauty, blowing
Over me—that dark fire, that music...
–Cyrano de Bergerac
The kitchen is so hot, I’m seriously contemplating whether I can fit in the freezer.
“Lucas. My boob sweat is turning into Wakanda Falls.”
He presses his lips together, shaking his head. “Does that mean it’s challenge day?”
Surprised, I laugh. “I’ll let you know if I ascend the throne.”
I can’t believe he got the reference. Last week I dropped a glass in the bar area and said, “Dammit, Janet.” Eliza gave me a weird look and asked, “Who’s Janet?”
How does anyone go their whole lives without a littleRocky Horror?
I finish sanitizing the cutting board I was using and then take out the trash, enjoying all the most glamorous aspects of working in a kitchen.
“I’ll be right back,” I call before running out the door. There’s a slight lull—Tuesday nights aren’t as bad as the rest of the week—so I don’t feel too bad about leaving Lucas to suffer alone.
But I almost run right back into hell’s kitchen as soon as I exit. Just as I’m making my way to the back, at the front door, Caroline jumps all over Beast like a hyperactive puppy.
She must have just arrived.
Wincing, I avert my eyes and race down the back hallway, past the public bathrooms and Ranger’s office and out into the night air. I chuck the garbage in the bin and slam the lid down. And then wait.
So it’s not normally where I like to spend my time. It’s barely cooler here than it is in the kitchen, and it smells like old food and ass, but I can’t go back in there and watch Beast with Caroline. I just can’t.
It’s been a week since the campout, and Beast and I have settled back into our nice, normal, friendly routine. And I hate it. He hasn’t asked me to help him with Caroline anymore, but I know they’ve been texting. And now, she’s back. And she’s here.
After I’ve dawdled as long as possible, I make my way back inside. At least dealing with the heat in the kitchen is better than being stuck at the bar and watching the Beast and Caroline show.
“I’ve got it covered,” Lucas says as soon as he sees me. “But the bar is busy. Eliza wants help.”
“Great.” Perfect. Wonderful. I can do this. I just won’t let my eyes stray to the front door. Problem solved.
My plan is working out to perfection. I stay busy hustling drinks behind the bar for about an hour. But then...
“Um, excuse me? Bartender? I asked for three cherries and there’s only two.”
Caroline. She’s leaning against the end of the bar, glaring at me like I peed in her drink instead of forgetting one small itty-bitty little cherry.
“Sorry about that.” I use a bright blue, sword-shaped cocktail pick and stab a cherry from the dish behind the counter. I reach over to put it in her drink.
She pulls the glass back before I can drop it in. “Uh, excuse me, I would like you to make me another drink.”
I tilt my head. “You want another of the same or something different?”
“I want the drink I ordered, made correctly this time. And I shouldn’t have to pay for any of it.” Then she puts the martini glass to her lips and takes a long sip, eyeing me over the rim.
“Um. I’m confused. You want to drink that one,” I point the skewered cherry at her, “but you also want a new one? And you don’t want this cherry?” I hold it up. “And you want it all free?”
“Do you not speak English?”
My jaw clenches against a snarky retort. But something slips out anyway. “BIlugh ‘e’ DaHar’a’,” I say, which literally translates intoyou’re a dumb twatin Klingon.
