Better than that
Madison hatched this plan, but it was still over a month away before the event, so I took the waitressing gig to the café. It was exhausting work, but I managed to get the hang of it. I worked as many hours as I could, trying to cover the electric bill for the month. Most of the patrons were young professionals, a few college kids, and a few regular older couples. They were the nicest, but the worst, tippers.
The days blurred together, the shifts all seemed the same. I was standing in the back, just returning from what was probably my last table, when the other server, her name was Stacy, walked up frustrated. "Oh my god, I need a break. Kavi, can you please cover my table so I can have a break before you head out?" She was a nice girl. She helped me when I first started, so I begrudgingly agreed.
I was completely exhausted. I walked up to the table. "Welcome to Marco's. My name is Kavi. I'll be getting you started today…" I looked up, making eye contact with the patron.
"Kavi?" he said, surprised to see me.
"Hi," I stammered, "Drew, it's good to see you. What brings you to this part of town?"
He smirked. He was well dressed, his suit perfectly tailored, his long hair pulled back perfectly. "Decided to stop on my way home. I used to love coming to this place with you. Thought I would grab something." He looked me over. "I'm happy to see you getting out there and working. How are you holding up?"
He seemed as nervous as me, as he fiddled with the menu in his hands, "It was hard at first, but I have been strength training more, so no huge issues."
He nodded, avoiding eye contact. "That's great."
It was silent for a moment, then I asked, "So, what can I get for you?" I smiled, plastering my customer service smile on.
"The kale salad is always good. I will just stick with that." He handed me the menu, still awkwardly avoiding eye contact.
"No dressing, and lemon?"
He nodded. "You remember."
"Duh, it's not been that long." Sliding the menu under my arm. "I'll be right back with that salad." I smiled again, turning on heel and making a beeline for the kitchen.
I dropped the ticket at the cook, obviously flustered. The manager came over, a nice older man, the one who helped me get the job. "You okay, Kavi? Having an episode?"
I shook my head. "No, just ran into someone I used to be close with. Super awkward."
"Did you want me to run the order out?" He asked, smiling kindly.
"No," I said, straightening myself out. "I'm not going to let him bother me. I'm doing better without him."
"Ah," he smiled, "ex-boyfriend?"
"Kind of." I smirked. The cook slid the salad up, calling my ticket. I grabbed the bowl, plastering a smile on again, and headed back to the floor. He had unbuttoned his jacket, his tie hanging loosely around his neck. He didn't notice me coming, and I surprised him. "Here you go, sir. One very disgusting kale salad." I quipped.
He laughed, "It is actually really good for you, you should eat more kale." His eyes meeting mine. I felt like my chest was going to collapse.
"Well, if you need anything, Stacy will be taking over. My shift is over in 10 minutes, but it's been nice seeing you, though." I smiled, swallowing the nerves.
"Yeah," he said, looking down, avoiding eye contact again.
I made my exit quickly, ducking into the safety of the kitchen. Stacy came back in, spraying herself down, trying to hide the smoke smell on her clothes and skin. "Thanks for that Kavi, I'm good. Just a couple of more hours and I can go home and sleep for the morning shift." She smiled big, heading back to the floor.
I hung up my apron, shoving the tips I made in my pocket, ready to punch out for the night. I wanted to go home and have another pity party in my bed, maybe with a big chocolate bar or a bottle of vodka. I bolted out the back door, looking to avoid another awkward stare down the Mr.-almost-my-perfect-handsome-sexy-smart-funny-boyfriend.
I rounded the corner, ready to make a run for it, when I heard him call out, "Kavi, wait a second." He had been standing outside, waiting to catch me as I left. "I didn't know when I might see you again, so I think we need to talk."
I stopped, walking up to him, shyly suggesting, "Walk me home?"
Shaking his head, "Yeah, that would be nice."
We headed towards the apartment, which was just a few blocks away. I knew it set a timer for this awkward conversation to take place. Once I made it home, I can blow him off with some lame excuse and duck into the safety of my bed. Once we passed the few stragglers left at the café, most of the street was empty. He started, "I know things are weird between us."
"That's an understatement." I fired back, shyly.
Another minute passed. He fiddled with his tie again, opting to undo it, releasing the top button of his shirt. "I think I really fucked up walking away like I did."
Our paced slowed, I found myself struggling to find the words, "No, you did what was best for you, in that moment."
He shoved his hands in his pockets. The pace was down to a crawl. "No, I was angry, and I lashed out. It wasn't what was best for me. I have been a miserable cunt ever since."
I wanted to believe it, but I knew it had to be too good to be true. "You're still grieving. Give it time." I walked onward, getting back to a normal pace.
He fell back a little, I thought maybe he was done with our conversation, he laughed, "So that's how it's going to be?" He caught up to me now, bringing the pace back down to a crawl, "I just want to start over Kavi, I feel like we jumped from friends to star-crossed lovers really, really quickly. I know there are a lot of emotions, and I don't expect you to forgive me, but will you at least give me a chance to show you why we belong together?"
The plethora of emotions swept through me: anger, sadness, grief, agony, happiness, warmth, and hope… But there were things in play now. I had to fix myself. I looked up at him, both standing there, looking intensely at each other, his eyes sparkling gently in the low light, "I want to be able to say yes Drew," his facial expression immediately dropped, "but things have changed, I'm working with Madison on a project, when its all done, I'm planning to move to New York for school." I smiled gently.
His face wiped. He looked upset. "That's wonderful lass, I know how long you have wanted that. But it doesn't change anything… If I can live in Los Angeles by myself, I can swing to New York. I'd move in a heartbeat if that's what you wanted."
I sighed. All of his words were so perfect, exactly what anyone would want to hear. "Just ask me on a date already! We'll see where things go."
He smiled, "Tomorrow night?"
"I work until 10 again."
"That's fine. I'll come meet you after your shift. We'll go have a drink somewhere." He smiled, just a little, his eyes locked onto mine.
"Alright, I'll bring a change of clothes. You do not want to go anywhere smelling like fried foods."
He shook his head again. "Alright, it's a date." We approached the building now, and he stopped at the bottom of the steps. "I'll see you tomorrow, then?" I half expected him to approach me for a kiss, but it was different now. He acted shy, just slowly walking away.
"Goodnight, Drew." I called out. He waved a bit as he picked up the pace, heading back towards the café.