Chapter 28

After my friends left, my break, and dinner where the chef cooks me a feast in an attempt to fatten me up - his words - I get sucked into the evening shift, which is a lot more intense than lunchtime was.

The restaurant buzzes with activity as orders flood in, the kitchen staff moving at lightning speed to keep up with the demand. I throw myself into the chaos, determined to prove myself on my first day, despite the doubts that still linger in my mind.

As I rush back and forth between the tables, delivering plates of steaming food with a smile plastered on my face, I catch glimpses of Slater behind the bar. His eyes find mine more than once, a silent understanding passing between us amidst the frenzy of the dinner rush.

When a particularly difficult customer starts causing a scene at one of the tables, I feel my patience wearing thin. But before I can intervene, Slater appears at my side, his presence calming and reassuring.

“I’ll take care of this, Cora. You focus on your other tables,” he says quietly, but his tone brooks no argument.

With a grateful nod, I step back and watch as Slater deftly handles the situation with a mix of charm and authority.

It’s in moments like these that I see a side of him I’ve missed – the confident, capable man who knows how to take charge when needed. And as the evening wears on and we fall into a rhythm working alongside each other, I begin to relax into the familiarity of his presence.

By the time closing time rolls around and the last customers trickle out, exhaustion weighs heavy on my shoulders. But as I start clearing tables and wiping them down for the night, Slater joins me without a word, his actions speaking louder than any words could.

Together, we work in comfortable silence, a sense of camaraderie settling between us as we finish cleaning up the restaurant for the night. When the last dish is washed and the floors are swept, I lean back against a table, breathing a sigh of relief. Slater watches me for a moment before speaking up.

“Not bad for your first day,” he says with a smirk, his eyes holding a hint of pride. “You handled everything like a pro.”

I can’t help but smile at his words, a surge of warmth spreading through me at his praise. “Thanks, Slater. I couldn’t have done it without your help.”

He waves off my gratitude with a casual shrug. “Just doing my job. Besides, it’s not every day we get someone as feisty as you joining the team.”

I raise an eyebrow at him, playfully rolling my eyes. “Feisty, huh? Is that your way of saying I’m trouble?”

Slater chuckles, a sound that fills the empty restaurant with life. “Maybe a little trouble keeps things interesting around here.”

As we lock up the restaurant together, I realize that maybe this new chapter with Slater won’t be as complicated as I thought. Maybe, just maybe, it could be the fresh start I’ve been searching for. And as we step out into the cool night air, I can’t help but feel hopeful for what the future might hold for us both.

With a final glance over my shoulder at the closed restaurant behind us, I turn to Slater with a smile. “Well, here’s to new beginnings.”

Slater returns my smile, his eyes soft in the dim light of the streetlamps.

“To new beginnings,” he echoes, and for a brief moment, everything feels perfect.

A sense of peace settles over me as we walk side by side, the click-clack of our footsteps echoing in the quiet streets. The night is cool and still, a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the restaurant we just left behind.

As we reach a corner bathed in the warm glow of a streetlight, Slater comes to a stop and turns to face me, his expression serious yet gentle.

“Cora, there’s something I need to tell you,” he begins, his voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty.

I look at him intently, a flicker of worry crossing my features. “What is it?” I ask, my heart rate picking up slightly.

He takes a deep breath, his gaze never leaving mine. “I know things have been complicated between us, especially with everything that’s happened in the past,” he starts, his words measured and sincere.

I nod slowly, urging him to continue as my mind races with a million possibilities of what he might say next.

Slater reaches out to gently cup my cheek, his touch warm against my skin. “But I want you to know that I care about you, Cora. More than you’ll ever know,” he confesses, his sapphire eyes searching mine for any sign of understanding.

A wave of emotion washes over me at his words, catching me off guard with its intensity. All the doubts and fears that had plagued me throughout the day melt away in that moment, leaving only a profound sense of connection between us.

Without hesitation, I reach up to cover his hand with mine, holding it against my cheek as I meet his gaze with unwavering certainty.

“Slater, I care about you too,” I admit, the words falling from my lips like a weight lifted off my chest. “I’ve missed you, and I’ve wanted to make things right between us.”

His eyes soften even further at my confession, a mixture of relief and joy flickering across his face.

“Cora, I...” he begins, his voice catching with emotion before he shakes his head slightly, as if to clear his thoughts.

Before he can continue, a sudden commotion down the street grabs our attention. A group of rowdy late-night revelers stumble out of a nearby bar, their loud laughter and drunken antics breaking the peaceful atmosphere surrounding us.

Slater and I share a knowing look before he gently tugs on my hand, leading me away from the chaos and toward a quieter side street.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

“I’m walking you home. Any time you’re on the closing shift, I’ll be walking you back. The streets aren’t safe at night.”

“But what if we’re not on the same shift pattern?” I ask.

“Trust me, we will be,” he mutters before adding more loudly, “I’ll come meet you anyway.”

“You don’t have to do that,” I protest.

“Don’t argue with me, Cora. I’m doing it, and that’s that.”

“Okay,” I stammer, surprised by how adamant he’s being over this.

“Good girl.”

The words make me flush, and a knowing glint seems to gleam in Slater’s eye.

He takes my hand in his and pulls me along with him. As we walk in comfortable silence, the tension that had built up between us dissipates into the night air.