Page 1 of Cinnamon Strudel
Morgan
Glaring at his phone, Morgan tried not to let his annoyance show. His date was already thirty minutes late and as he debated on messaging her, the sound of footsteps halting before him announced his waitress’s return. “I’m afraid, I’m the bearer of bad news,” she said cautiously. “I believe your date decided not to show.”
“And how would you know?” he snapped, perhaps with more attitude than he should’ve used.
She fell silent for a moment, seemingly stunned, floundered. “I wanted to show her to your table, but she… Well, she decided to leave and asked me to let you know.”
Fuck!
Trying not to let his anger seep through, he simply rolled his eyes and peered in the direction of her voice. “Thanks.”
“I’m sorry.”
Morgan shrugged and reached for Blue’s harness. The boxer had been his partner in crime for the past two years now. “It’s fine.”
“My shift ends soon, and I don’t have plans tonight.”
“I don’t need your pity.”
The woman shuffled in place. “I didn’t mean to make it seem that way. Just thought you were quite attractive and that I’d shoot my shot. Let me grab your bill.”
He stared after her, rather dumbfounded. Not that he saw much anyway, she was just part of the blur of colours around him. Instead of attaching Blue’s harness again he scratched the pup’s ear, the soft fur calming the brewing storm of emotions. It wasn’t the first time he’d been ghosted or stood up, but that didn’t mean it made it less hurtful—especially after he’d been sitting in the restaurant for over half an hour already.
When the waitress reappeared, he tried to remember her name. “How long before you get off, Ruby?” Shit… How embarrassing it would be if that wasn’t her name.
“Twenty minutes.”
“I’m sorry I snapped at you.”
“That’s alright. I can’t say I’d be so calm in your position.”
She laughed, and the sound warmed Morgan’s soul. Maybe he could turn this awful evening around after all… “I would like to take you up on your offer.”
“I was going to grab dessert to take home but if you like, we can eat together.”
“If your boss doesn’t mind.”
In a light, airy voice, she scoffed, “She better not—half my pay checks are spent on the cakes here. Would you like anything while you wait?”
Holding the menu into his field of vision, he scanned the pages in search of an appetiser, finally settling on bread with a variety of dips. Ruby’s voice was rather chirpy as she asked if Blue needed anything, then bustled off to get his order and attend to her other tables. It wasn’t long before he had a plate in front of him, stomach growling at the prospect of food. He tastedall the dips and doom-scrolled on his phone until Ruby appeared next to him again.
“I’m getting the cinnamon strudel, what should I bring you?”
“The same.”
“Give me five and I’m all yours.”
She quickly returned, setting a plate in front of him before taking the seat across the table. “I put the fork on the right side of the plate.”
“Thanks.” He took his first bite and hummed around the fork. “I get why you lose half your wages to desserts.”
“If I didn’t have bills to pay it would be everything.” The bubbly tone in her voice made his skin tingle.
“Is this one your favourite?”
“Yes, but the cheesecake comes super close.”
“Is that your way of asking me to come back?”
