Struggles of Summer Love

Chapter 3

"Get your jaw off of the floor." Reagan says.

 It took me a minute to comprehend what I heard and then I close my mouth. I look to Reagan and say, "Is that the same guy as last night?"

"I think so, but I don't remember his name. Are you sure you want him to see you like that? It's not awful but you do have a cut by your eyebrow and your face is a little puffy."

I blush at the thought of it. Do I want him to see me? I know I want to see him. He seemed so kind last night. Is he really that kind or was that an act? Would he remember me?  I take a deep breath and say, "I want to see him again. I think I felt a spark last night. I want to know if there is something. Even if it is only a summer fling.  I don't know if I want him to see me like this. Let's leave it up to fate." 

"Or Molly. Look where she is leading him and his friends." She said as she pointed to the deck.

" Do you think he will remember me?"

"Go find out."

I  grab the plate and bring it over to the old couple before attending to the table full of attractive guys. I set the plate down as well as an extra plate. I say, " I brought an extra plate incase you want it. Is there anything else I can get for you?"

the old man says, "We should be all set, thank you."

I take a deep breath before walking over to the next table. There is four guys. All very attractive, but one stands out more than others. As I approach the table, steel blue eyes hold my eyes captive. I feel like I am in a trance. Heat creeps up on my face. I break eye contact with him and say, "Hello, My name is Harper. i will be your server. Can I get you guys something to drink as you look over the menu."

The guy in the blue t-shirt said, "I'll take a coke."

Then the guy in the red t-shirt said, "Same here."

The guy in the white t-shirt said, "I'd like a sweet tea."

Steel blue eyes make contact with mine again. My mind struggles to comprehend the beautiful melody that comes out of his mouth. How can some one who looks so good, sound so good? Shoot, I'm at work. I need to take his drink order. I ask him, "Sorry, can you repeat that?"

"I'd like a water please."

I write the order down real quick and I say, "Thank you, I will be right back."

I walk into the kitchen to get the drink orders. I run into Reagan. Her eyes bulge as she asks, "Did he recognize you?"

"I don't know. I can't focus around him. Writing the orders down was difficult. His words sound like music. I don't know if I can do this."

"You can do this! You are beautiful Harper. He is probably just as mesmerized with you as you are with him. Just remember he is just a guy. Something may happen, but nothing may also happen. You are jumping ahead of yourself. Do your job and make some money. After this summer we will be on our way to bigger and better things."

"Your right. I just need to pretend they are just customers. "

"You go girl!"

I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I can do this. They are just customers. Extremely attractive customers, but they are just customers. I fill the cups with ice and the beverages. One foot in front of the other I remind myself as I walk towards the table. As I arrive at the table I set the drinks infron of each guy. I avoid eye contact with the guy with steel blue eyes. It should be illegal to be as attractive as he is. I don't even know they guy and I am already infatuated with him. He is a customer. This isn't some fairy tale. He isn't going to try to sweep me off my feet. Seagull Cove is not a romantic spot. I look up at the guy with the red shirt and ask, "Are you guys ready to order?"

I scribble the orders down one by one until steel blue eyes opens his mouth and says, "I'd like a haddock burger and your number."

My cheeks turn red as my face gets warm. I then say, "two cheese burgers, a haddock burger and a Lobster roll, will that be all?"

The attractive guy with steal blue eyes and hair the color of dark chocolate asked, "I'd like you number."

I take a deep breath. Do I give this guy my number? How do I know he isn't a serial killer? He did try to help me yesterday. If he is asking for my number he must be interested.  Could Nora be right? Does he just want to hump and dump or does he want to get to know me. Even if is a Hump and dump, he is very cute. It might be worth it.  I've had customers ask for my number before. Usually I just say I'm not allowed to give them my number while on the clock. Then the day goes on.  His hair looks so soft. I want to give him my number and then maybe I can run my fingers through his soft dark chocolate colored hair.  I take breath and say, " I will go get your order in."

My legs move me faster than I should go. I hope it doesn't look like I'm running away. Should I give him my number? I look up and I see Angie and Reagan talk. Before I can think of what to say, I blurt out, "What do I do?"

Angie asked, "What happened? did you spill food on someone? Are they okay?"

Reagan made eye contact with me and said, "I knew it! I f*****g knew it!  He wants you."

"He asked for my number." I said.

"Did you give it to?" Reagan asked

"No. I kind of ran away. I didn't know what to say or do."

Angie leans over so she can see who is siting on the deck and she asks, "Which on is he?"

"He is the one with hair the color of dark chocolate, steal blue eyes, and the Bates t-shirt."

"Oooo he is cute. If you don't get his number I will." Angie said with a smirk. 

"If he asks again, I will give him my number. I just don't want to set myself up for failure." I said as I walk back onto the deck. I help the old couple finish up. Then I help a few more people before coming back to the kitchen. I grab the tray with the food for the attractive table and I bring it over. I hand each plate to the guy who ordered it. I then ask them, " Can I get anything else for you?"

The guy with the steel blue eyes opens his mouth and says, " You ignored my question earlier. I'm sure guys ask  you for your number all the time,  but I was hoping you might remember me. Do you remember me?"

"I do remember you face. You helped me last night. I apologize, but I forgot your name." heat creeped up my face as I said this.

"My name is Roman. I believe you said your name was Harper. Am I correct?"

"Yes, my name is Harper."

"So can I get your number or do I have to wait until you get off work for your number?"

I smile and pull out a pad of paper and a pen. I wrote my name and number and ripped the page from my note book. His eyes met mine as I handed the piece of paper to him.  I turned around and walked back to the kitchen. Reagan stood in the door way and asked, " So what happened?"

"Don't act like you weren't spying on me. You know what happened."

"Okay I saw what happened but I didn't hear what happened. So spill."

" He reintroduced himself. His name is Roman and he wanted to know if I remembered him. How could I forget those steel blue eyes? Those eyes could hold anyone captive." 

"Your falling for him."

"Well I fell last night and he was the one who helped me."

"Nora and I were going to help but he was faster."

"I know." I said as I looked back at the table. He was smiling ear to ear as his buddies talked. Was this sincere or a dare from them. Does he actually want me or I will I just be another notch on his belt. I look back to Reagan and say, "I'm feeling a little insecure."

"Don't be. You are f*****g hot. I'm amazed all of his friends weren't begging for your number."

"Only one of them needs it if they all intend to pursue me. I hope that's not the case. That would be gross."

"Oh come on, four guys, that could be fun. You take them one by one or all at once." Reagan said with a smile. 

I smacked her arm and said, "Reagan!"

Reagan smirked as I turned around to go check on the table. I smile as I walk up to the table and ask, "How was everything?"

Roman spoke up first and said, "Everything is wonderful. What time do you get off tonight?"

"You are very forward." I remark.

"And you are very beautiful. Is it a safe assumption that you don't have a boyfriend? I like to think you giving me your number means you don't have one...."

"...I don't have a boyfriend." I say before he can say more. 

" So when do you get out tonight?"

"I should be out by 10pm, assuming we all the customers are gone and everything has been cleaned up."

"Can I pick you up?"

"I really should shower after work before we hang out. I guarantee I will smell like low tide."

"I can handle that."

I laugh and turn around without giving him an answer. I go back inside and ask Reagan, " Do you have any perfume in your truck? Preferably strong perfume."

" I should have something. I usually have at least 3 bottles in my truck. Why do you ask?"

"Roman wants to pick me up from work."

"You work fast."

"It's just hanging out. I just don't want to smell like low tide."

"Don't worry, you won't smell like low tide."

"Okay, so should I tell him I will go with him?"

"Do you want to go with him?"

"Yes."

" I will keep my phone on me. If I don't hear from you by midnight I will get a search party going. Be safe."

I hug Reagan and say, "You are the best."

I guess its time to bring them the bill. My eyes immediately make contact with Roman's as I walk to the table. I give them the check and say, "So will I be seeing you again at 10PM?"

Roman grins ear to ear and says, "Of course."