I smiled at her enthusiasm even though I definitely couldn’t muster much of that up right now. Zoey stiffened next to me, letting out a groan, and I looked over her shoulder to see Nash approaching our table. A groan that matched hers escaped my lips, and I turned around, hoping he would just get the hint and go away.
“Hey, could I talk to you for a sec?” I felt his large hand land on my shoulder, and it took everything in me not to shiver at the tingles his simple touch extracted.
Great, no such luck. I slowly turned around, trying to avoid those big brown eyes. “I don’t think we have anything to talk about, Nash.” I glanced towards his usual table and saw Mariah glaring back at us. “And I don’t think your girlfriend appreciates you being over here.”
“She’ll get over it,” he said with a shrug of his shoulders and pulled on my hand. “It’ll just take a minute.” I let him walk me out of the café with, of course, questioning looks from Zoey and Callie. I was sure I would be getting grilled later on.
“What do you want, Nash?” I yanked my hand away from his as soon as we were out in the hallway and leaned against the wall.
“I just wanted to apologize.” He ran a hand roughly through his short hair. “Every time we’re together, it’s like my brain decides to shut off. It’s just…you seriously mess with my head, Della. You always have, and you don’t even know how much.” I waited silently as he paused, and I could see his strong jaw tic. “I’m breaking up with Mariah, I just thought I should let you know.”
“Nash, if that’s really what you want to do, then go for it. Please don’t let me effect your decision in any way. I told you I was fine with just being friends, and I meant it. So if you’re breaking up with Mariah just because of me, maybe you should rethink things.”
He huffed out a breath, looking over my shoulder at Mariah who was still glaring our way. She had to know something was up. I was surprised she wasn’t over here demanding Nash not talk to me.
“Things between us have been tense for awhile, so while this kind of has to do with you, I’m not saying it all does. But Della, you need to realize that you coming back, shifted my perspective on things. I’m not saying I’m ready or you’ll be ready to jump right into a relationship, but I just thought you should know.” His brown eyes turned soft as he reached out to squeeze my hand. “We’ll get together soon, yeah?”
I answered with a nod of my head, not even bothering to bring up Justin once again, and turned on my heel with a heavy feeling of guilt on my chest when I met Mariah’s eyes that looked defeated. She must have had some kind of clue of what was going on, but I had a feeling she wouldn’t let Nash end things without some kind of fight. She was a tough girl, I would give her that.
*******
“Well, don’t you look as cute as a button, Della.” I gulped thickly, but managed a small smile when I realized who was seated at my newest table. Grams and Grandpa. I could feel my grandpa’s scowl without even looking and I tried to tug on the short piece of material that was basically covering my chest.
“Thanks, Grams, I can’t believe you two are here. You should have told me you were coming.” So maybe I could have called in sick or something. I swallowed over the lump in my throat. “Are you two out having a date night?” I looked between her and Grandpa and smiled at the love you could feel between the two of them even after all the years they had been together.
“We sure are, your Grandpa had to practically drag me out of the house, but after he informed me that we were coming to visit you, I was more than happy to come along. Of course, we wanted to see our favorite waitress.” I grinned as she clapped her hands together, and I poised my pen to take their order.
“Della, you have an order up. Get that sexy ass back here,” Justin’s voice called from the pass through window as I was finished taking their order.
I’m sure my cheeks were a nice bright shade of red as I turned around to scowl at him. He gave me a confused look before shrugging his shoulders and heading back into the kitchen. I was used to Justin by now, and it was sort of the way it just was between the two of us. Grandpa, on the other hand, was scowling at the window Justin had just occupied. I turned to grab my order, hoping to get out of this awkward situation, but Grandpa placed a hand on my elbow.
“Della, is that boy giving you trouble? Because that is sexual harassment. Maybe I should have a talk with your manager. I all ready don’t approve of the uniform they require here. What kind of establishment is this?” He crossed his arms tightly over his chest and glared at Grams and I.
“Its fine Grandpa, trust me. That’s just Justin. He’s my…well we’re sort of...,” I squirmed in my spot, avoiding his eyes. Grams gave me a reassuring smile; at least I always had her on my side. “dating,” I finished quietly.