The Saturday morning shift is always brutal at the cafe. Nora asked me to come in today because two of the other waitresses were out sick again. I felt bad because I had handed in my resignation, so of course, I said yes when she asked. Normally, being called into work would be a sucky way to start the weekend, but I'm in a good mood today; I've handed in my last assignment for the next few weeks and Rhodes flies home today.
We haven't been able to talk much since our last FaceTime; the time difference has been messing us up, and he's had heaps of meetings to go to. No FaceTimes, no flashing, no nothing; I'm glad he's on his way back.
"So I heard you're leaving us soon?" my co-worker Ryan says as I walk over to the kitchen to collect an order. He works in the kitchen so we get a lot of interaction throughout the day. He's been a good friend while I've been here, but we don't have a lot in common, so we never hang out outside of work.
"Yeah, school work's been getting a little crazy, so I need to focus on that," I say quickly as I pick up the two plates and leave to deliver them to the right table. I hate all this continuous lying that I have to do, but it's better than telling them the truth. I just hope I'm making it believable.
"Well, we will be sad to see you go!" Ryan says as I appear back at the kitchen window to deliver another order. "We should go out for a drink, celebrate your freedom!" I smile a little and nod my head.
"Yeah, sure, sounds great," I mumble as I walk back into the floor and fill up people's mugs with coffee. I always had a feeling that Ryan has a little crush on me, but I was definitely not interested in him, even before I met Rhodes. I don't intend on having a drink with him, but if it's with everyone else there, then surely it would be fine. Maybe I could subtly mention that I have a boyfriend and he'll back off on his own. That's a problem I get to deal with later.
I make myself busy and just ride out the last hour until my shift is over. I'm picking up my things from the back office, and I'm just about to leave when I bump into someone standing behind me.
"So, when are you free for a drink?" Ryan asks, walking alongside me as we both head for the door. His long blonde hair is gathered into a bun at the back of his neck as he slings what appears to be a gym bag over his shoulder.