CHAPTER 5: PURPLE KNUCKLES

NATASHA

I had a rough night, but I was also blessed with good sight.

"Mike," I whispered his name, feeling a flush on my cheeks.

Biting my lower lip, I reminisced about his face - the way he looked at me, the way he smiled.

He's my savior, and I should be more grateful. I want to offer him something to thank him properly. But what should I do? Maybe I could give him an apple as a token of appreciation.

No, that's not enough. I gave him the longest kiss I could offer. And his lips tasted nice and soft. I feel like I want to kiss him more. Is that wrong?

"You weren't in your apartment last night, you clocked in late, and now you're spacing out, smiling like an idiot. What's with you?"

Doris had her right hand on her hips, while the other held a stack of receipts.

"Sorry," I forced a toothy grin, and she shook her head.

"Table nine, that cute guy specifically asked for the waitress named 'Tasha' to take his order."

My eyes immediately searched for the table and found the appealing sight of his broad back.

He's on his phone, shaking his leg under the table as a habit.

"And since when did you start acting like a slut?"

Blushing, I hid my wide grin by clamping my lips.

"Get on with it before I sit on his face," she waved her hand at me as she proceeded to the counter.

Tucking my blonde hair behind my ears, I straightened the apron I was wearing before heading in his direction, holding a pen and pad.

"Morning!" Trying not to sound too excited to talk to him again, I put on a casual face. "Anything you want from the menu?"

When he lifted his head to look at me, I felt like time slowed down, and all I could see was him. Everything around us became blurred.

His grayish orbs gazed straight at me, sending a chill down my spine. I've never been so responsive to feelings until Mike. I'm afraid that he could be the one.

"I'm having a little trouble finding what I want, actually," he hissed, wincing.

"Oh..."

"Your name isn't on the list," he added.

It made me grimace at his overused line, but I kept it in. I wouldn't want to embarrass him, though it seems like my face betrayed me.

"Sorry about that," he snorted.

Trying not to burst into laughter, I glanced at the counter and saw Doris judging me with her plump face.

"You're adorable," I giggled, covering my mouth with the pad.

"I've never heard anyone call me adorable, honestly."

My face must have turned red; I could feel the heat rushing to my head. He was just sitting there, smiling at me. What's with me?

"But since you think I am, I'd be happy to humbly accept it."

I heard Doris clear her throat, and when I looked back at her, she gestured her hand to the other customers waiting at their tables.

"Uh... so, have you made up your mind?" Clicking the pen, I stood still and watched him pout his lips while scanning the whole menu.

"I don't know," he breathed out before dropping the menu on the table. "Surprise me."

Raising my eyebrows, I clamped my lips. "Alright, but don't blame me if the food doesn't meet your taste buds."

"I'd be suing you," he joked.

Excusing myself, I headed to the counter and told Doris that he ordered a surprise, earning me a pair of suspicious eyes.

"What?" I chuckled while placing an order on a tray for another table.

"That guy isn't from around here, and he's obviously hitting on you," Doris said with a hint of warning. "So, what's his name?"

Unbelievably looking at her with my parted lips, I accepted her squinting eyes and wiggling eyebrows.

"What? Come on, I want to hear some new gossip. The guy looks like a god. And look at those guns, he definitely hits the gym."

"Doris!" I chided her with a chuckle. "His name is Mike, and I've got to take this order now."

"Mike? Just Mike?"

Shrugging my shoulders, I nodded my head. "Yeah, I just met him yesterday, so, yeah. Mike."

I excused myself and served a tray. I tried to avoid Doris' teasing stare by keeping my eyes on the floor, staying composed and focused on my job. But at times, my eyes betrayed me, taking secret glances in his direction.

He's sitting there with his lips pouted, tapping on his phone while waiting for his order.

He looks bored.

"He's been tapping his feet on the floor. Give your man his breakfast before he makes you his main dish."

Gasping at her words, I took the tray. "I've never heard you talk like that before," I commented.

"I used to work in a bar. This is my nature. But now that I'm old and fat, I'm brand new. Although sometimes it slips out," she giggled, showing off her gummy smile.

"Gosh," I mumbled and served Mike's breakfast.

"Hope you're into waffles and hot coffee," I told him, catching his attention. When he met my eyes, he immediately hid his phone.

"Can you join me?"

"Uh..." I wanted to say yes and jump on that chair, but Doris' eyes were watching. "I'm working."

Protruding his lower lip, he looked around. "There aren't many customers yet," he reasoned, which was true since this diner barely holds a huge amount of people.

Humming, I bit my lip and sat in front of him. "Maybe I could stay and chat for a second?"

His face lit up, yet his eyes drooped. "How's the cheek?"

My hand immediately touched where I was hit. "It feels better now. Thanks for the painkillers anyway."

Showing me his palm, he waved it off. "You're thanking me too much," he told me and picked up his knife and fork.

My eyes landed on his knuckles, and I frowned when I saw them reddening and looking painful.

Was it from last night?

"Hey, what happened to your hand?" I tried to touch them, but he pulled it back as if he didn't want me touching him.

I was taken aback by his abrupt avoidance, but maybe it was just painful, and he didn't want anyone bothering him? I shouldn't be nosy, after all, we're still strangers to each other.

"Nah, don't mind it. I had an accident at work," he reasoned and displayed his usual charming smile. "Don't look at me like that, or I'll start assuming that you're worried about me."

He winked at me before taking a mouthful of the waffle. I stopped breathing.

I am not stupid. I know a tough guy when I see one, but Mike, he looks like a decent person. However, those bruises on his knuckles aren't a sight for someone with such a lovely smile.

Recalling when I first met him, I could sense his playful side. Playful, meaning something dirty.

Should I start reconsidering my opinion of him?

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but can you kidnap my employee later after her shift? I really need a hand," Doris interrupted our stares. Wearing her nice smile that lifts her chubby cheeks, she earned it back from him.

Wincing, I scratched my head and mouthed an apology to Mike as I slipped off the seat and followed Doris with eyes as she walk to one of the tables.

"When does your shift end?" he asked, making me arch an eyebrow. Is he going to ask me out?

"Two in the afternoon," I answered without hesitation.

"Can I, uh, ask for a little bit of your time after your shift?"

Hiding a wide grin. Yes, he's asking me out.