Page 22 of Midnight Roots

"Order up!"

I jump slightly as the cook shouts, and I get the burger and fries. I bring them back to Heston and see another couple walk in, thankfully. I go to seat them and take their drink orders as I leave them with menus.

Cece comes in. "How are you all getting along?" she asks.

"We're fine," I say. "I'm just doing drinks for the couple over there, and then I'm going to take their order."

"Heston, your food okay?" she asks.

Heston nods. "Yes, thank you."

Cece nods and leaves again. She's never checked on me like that before. I wonder if Heston is involving her in our private business because they're friends. That's not cool.

I take the drinks to the couple and take down their order before I go hang it up for thecook. I glance at Heston, who is eating quietly, but his eyes are on me. I walk back over to him. I won't lie; the sex was amazing, and I wouldn't say no to it again. God, am I desperate? I guess after all the bad luck that befell me in Austin, I just wanted something special. Something to go right. I wanted a win. When I got the job here, I thought that was the start of my luck turning around, and then Heston took me on the date, and I thought that's it. B spell over.

I look over at him, and he's still looking at me. I can't be mad at him. I can't stay mad at him. He's such a decent guy, and they're so hard to come by.

"What are you doing tonight?" I ask casually.

"Nothing. Why? Do you want to go out?" he asks, wiping his mouth on a napkin.

"Actually, I was thinking of staying in. You could come over to my apartment, and we could hang out." I give him a coy smile.

"Hang out?" he asks.

"I don't have a television. Let's just say I'm humble and simple, too."

He smiles broadly, and it melts my heart.

"I would like that a lot," he says finally. "What time?"

"About eight? Is that too late for you?"

"Not at all," he says. "I'll see you then."

He leaves some bills on the counter and gets up. "Until later."

"See you later," I say, collecting the cash. He's left me a big tip again—this man. I was furious with him earlier, even a little wary, but he makes gestures like this, and I know it's not just to me. I saw it when we went to dinner.He's generous and kind. He's definitely a catch, and I'm lucky.

Now, I need to figure out what I'm going to wear tonight. I go to find Cece.

"Hey," I say to her. "You don't need me tonight, do you?"

"No, we'll be fine," she smiles. "You and Heston having a date?"

"Yes," I say with a smile. "Though he shouldn't have involved you."

"Oh, he didn't," she says. "I involved myself 'cause I could see how upset you were, sweetie." She reaches out and strokes my cheek. "You take care now."

What a weird comment. I go back to the couple in the grill section to help them and to prep for the lunchtime rush.

When I'm done, I go home and clean the place as best as I can. There isn't a sofa, so we'llhave to sit on my rickety bed, but I doubt Heston will mind. I dress in lacey underwear again and put on a bathrobe and some light makeup. I plan on wearing only that tonight.

Chapter Eighteen

Heston

When I get home and walk in, I hear cries coming from upstairs. I walk up and into the spare bedroom to find that Tessa couldn't remain standing on her tiptoes. The large stone has penetrated her pussy. There is blood dribbling down her leg. I walk up to her and tilt her head. "If you get back on your tiptoes, I'll move it."