She'd always been so full of life and now she looked drained, as if she bore the weight of the world on her shoulders. She approached him slowly, as if he was a dangerous animal ready to strike any moment. His lips turned up in a sardonic smile because he was a dangerous animal, far more deadly than any four legged creature she may encounter.
"Do you want a table?" she asked him suspiciously. She knew he normally wouldn't be caught dead in a truck stop restaurant.
"That would be great," he responded overconfidently. Her manager was watching the pair of them and she couldn't afford to get fired so she gritted her teeth and showed Ryan to the table. She didn't get why he'd come to her place of work but she couldn't make a scene and as humiliating as it was she was going to be forced to serve him.
"What would you like to drink?" she asked through clinched teeth.
"I'll take a coffee," he replied. He'd determined within minutes of walking in, she'd be leaving with him. He knew exactly what he wanted in payment for helping her sister and he would get it. He would enjoy a little bit of cat and mouse in the meantime. He knew he would win, so he could be indulgent for a while.
"Here's the menu. I'll be right back with your coffee," she said and walked off. He enjoyed the sway of her hips, which were slightly thicker than when they were teenagers. She'd definitely turned into a woman and he couldn't wait to explore the new her. She was still stunning, even with the stress and exhaustion etched into her features.
She returned with the coffee and he noticed the mirth in her eyes, as he took his first sip and a grimace passed over his features. It was horrible tasting and he had the feeling she was enjoying his suffering. He controlled his face and took another long sip, just so he could wipe that smug look off her face. She controlled her own expression but couldn't hide the twinkle in her gorgeous brown eyes.
"Are you ready to place your order?" she asked him.
"What are your specials?" he asked in a serious tone. She thought two could play at him being just an ordinary customer.
"We have the chef's meatloaf special and we serve breakfast all day," she said sweetly. He perused the menu, like he really cared what he ordered. Her foot started taping impatiently, as she continued to wait for him.
"Ms. Lander, can you please come over here?" her boss asked and she couldn't keep the twinge from showing in her expression. She walked over to her obnoxious boss with what she hoped was an obedient expression pasted on her face.
"Yes, Mr. Archer," she said.
"Could you please try and act more professional. That man showed up in a jaguar and you're taping your toe in impatience. Do you want to keep your job?" he threatened her.
"Of course, sir. I'm sorry about that," she said, hopefully humbly enough. He dismissed her and she walked back over to Ryan, even more furious with the man. She saw the look of steel in his eyes and she was scared he was going to cause a scene.
"I'm sorry about making you wait, have you decided yet?" she asked him.
"I'll take a turkey sandwich and the soup of the day," he responded. Ryan didn't like the way her boss had spoken to her and it only solidified his decision she'd be leaving with him. She jotted down his order and quickly disappeared.
Nicole served him his food quickly and he forced himself to choke some of it down, while he continued to watch her. She never stopped running, as she refilled coffee and took down orders. She kept his glass topped off, along with the other twenty or so customers. He almost came out of his seat when he saw some trucker get a little bit too friendly. He had to admit he was impressed how she handled the man, letting him know she was unavailable, while still being polite.
He gave up on eating the terrible food and sat back, drinking the muddy tasting coffee. He'd been there for a couple of hours and several of the customers cleared out and yet she was still running around. Her boss snapped orders at her left and right and she still managed to keep a positive attitude. She had to be dead on her feet. He wasn't going to take much more.
"We need to talk," he told her, when she came to top off his mug again.
"I can't talk right now, I'm working," she told him, somewhat exasperated.
"Have you had a break yet tonight?" he asked her. She looked at him as if he were insane. She was lucky to get to run to the bathroom on any given night.
"I'm the only waitress here, I don't have time to take a break," she finally said and turned to walk away. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her into the booth, next to him and she gasped in outrage at his high-handedness.
"Ms. Lander, you have customers waiting on you," her boss said, thinking she was slacking on the job. She looked at Ryan in a panic. If he was trying to get her fired, he was doing an excellent job.