Page 58 of Twilight of Embers
What the hell was that?
Something was very, very wrong with me. I rarely had crushes. The one time I’d let myself, it had ended in disaster. So, I kept my head down and stayed focused on my studies. But now, it was like each of these men had a gravitational pull.
I tried my best to shake it off as Cillian pulled to a stop in front of Spark’s. I moved to open the door, but Cillian grabbed my hand.
The contact was gentle, but it sent a wave of heat coursing through me.
“Promise me you’ll take it easy today.”
I swallowed hard as I looked into those dark green eyes. “I will.”
Cillian’s jaw worked back and forth. “I put my number in your phone. Call me if you need anything.”
My mouth went dry. “Okay.”
He released me, and the moment his touch was gone, I missed it like a limb.
I climbed out of the car and hurried into the diner, practically running Fiona over as I headed for the staff room.
Her eyes widened. “I thought you were sick.”
“Just a twenty-four-hour bug. I’m feeling much better.”
“You sure?” she pressed.
I nodded quickly. “Yup. Just let me know where you want me.”
“All right. You can take tables one through eight.”
“Thanks.” I hurried into the staff room, deposited my backpack in my locker, and donned my apron. Then I headed out onto the floor.
I got lost in my routine, taking orders and clearing tables. As I came to a stop next to one table, a weight settled in my stomach.
“Hayden,” Professor Brent greeted, his gaze sweeping over me. “I’d heard you were ill.”
I gripped my order pad a little tighter. “Just a twenty-four-hour thing. I’ll be back in class tomorrow.”
“Glad to hear it.” His gaze kept roaming. “I didn’t know you worked here.”
“Yup. After school.” That much was obvious, but I wasn’t sure what else to say. “Do you know what you’d like to order?”
Brent leaned forward into my personal space. “What do you like?”
Nausea swept through me, and I took a step back. “The cheeseburger’s really good.”
He grinned. “Then I’ll take that. Medium. And a Coke.”
“I’ll get that right in for you.”
I turned on my heel and headed to give the order to Ian, but I could feel Brent’s eyes on me. Everything in me was screaming in alert. I was safe. There were a dozen people in the diner right now.
While I waited for the order to come up, I rolled silverware, listening to two burly guys talk about an upcoming football game. Their chatter was calming, normal. Then the bell dinged.
“Order up,” Ian called.
I turned to check, and it was Professor Brent’s. Steeling myself, I took the plate and headed for his table.
His gaze locked on me as I walked toward him. With each step, my heart beat a little faster.
