He looked like he was going to be sick.
Along with William and Gertrude, five other people helped out—taking orders, delivering food and coffee, and wiping down the tables to make room for the next group of customers. Callum and Duke carried orders to the tables, too, and were super popular with the female customers. Which, in turn, gave us more business. The ladies kept ordering more just so they had reason to stay and ogle them.
Around midday, a group of miners came in. The same ones we’d given food to before. I poked my head into the dining room and waved at them, happy that they’d accepted my invitation. The older man nodded to me before he and the others were shown to a table. The youngest of them, the guy with freckles, vibrated with excitement as he looked around at everything, eyes wide.
“I’ll cover their ticket,” I told Vera, the waitress about to take their orders. “Let them order whatever they want.”
“Yes, sir.”
Sir. It sounded so weird.
When Edwin and his family came in, William delivered their pastries and coffee. I’d told him to take a short break to sit with them, too, if he wanted. And I, of course, was nosy, so I peeked around the corner to get a look at the mysterious Edwin.
Damn.
Edwin was insanely gorgeous. Straight blond hair that brushed his shoulders and dressed in a deep purple suit perfectly tailored to his thin frame. He smiled as William approached their table and then gently tugged on William’s sleeve to encourage him to sit.
A pretty girl sat on Edwin’s other side and jumped up to hug William. The sister, I assumed. The older man and woman at the table motioned to their food, enthusiastically saying something I couldn’t hear. Given William’s blush, I knew they were complimenting him.
His own parents might’ve been unsupportive jerks, but he had a support system with Edwin’s family. They clearly adored him.
Smiling, I stopped being nosy and got back to work. Despite the earlier jitter of nerves, the grand opening was a massive success. By the time the last customer paid for their meal and left, all of us were on the brink of collapse.
“That was a long day,” William said, wiping at his forehead.
“Better get used to it, Mr. Boss Man.” I knuckle-bumped his arm. “Starting tomorrow, you’ll be running this place.”
“Luckily for me, I had an excellent mentor.”
“Okay, stop.” I turned to the counter and started wiping it down. “You’re gonna make me cry.”
He chuckled before washing the dishes. Gertrude and the other workers tidied up the dining room and the reading parlor, so the team effort had the place clean in no time. Afterward, we gathered our things and left the café. Gertrude barely said two words before dashing off to meet with her friends.
William and I then stood in front of the café, neither of us making a move to leave. The light of day still held on but was fading fast. Colors burst across the sky with the setting sun, streaks of orange, red, and hints of purple.
“Well.” William adjusted his glasses. “I suppose this is where we say good night.”
“Yeah,” I said, throat tight. “I’m leaving first thing in the morning and heading home. So I doubt I’ll get to see you again before I go.”
“I know.”
I hated goodbyes. Neither of us spoke for several seconds. Maybe he hated them too.
“Are you meeting Edwin after this?” I asked, delaying the inevitable.
“I am. His family invited me over to celebrate the solstice.”
“The winter solstice? I totally forgot that was today.” Time was a blur lately. “How will you celebrate?”
“Supper and card games,” he answered. “I’m quite wretched at cards. Which is precisely why Edwin loves playing against me. We’ll then light the Yule log and sit in front of the fire.”
“That sounds nice. I’m happy for you.” My chest ached at not being with Briar and Maddox for the holiday, but maybe Lake and I could cuddle in front of the fire with some wine or something. Even better if Rowan joined us, but chances of that were slim.
“Do you have any special plans?”
I shook my head. “Probably just going back to my room. After the long day, I wouldn’t mind falling into bed and sleeping for the next five days.”
William chuckled at that and tipped his head. “Farewell, Evan.”
