AFFECTION AFTER DIVORCE

With a cheerful jingle, I swung open the door of Douglas Diner, signaling my arrival. The familiar aroma of brewing coffee and the distant hum of conversation welcomed me like old friends. Glancing around the bustling café, my eyes sparkled with anticipation. The morning rush was on the horizon, and I was ready to dance through the tables, ready to receive customer orders.

"Good morning, everyone!" I exclaimed, my voice cutting through the morning buzz. My fellow colleagues looked up from their duty posts and responded with smiles. "Good morning, Alicia."

Swiftly, I made my way to the staff room, reaching my locker to retrieve my crisp notepad and trusty pen. Back on the floor, I weaved through the occupied tables with a smile on my face, greeting customers with a warm "Good morning!" and a sparkle in my eye. The regulars grinned in response, accustomed to the infectious joy I brought to the café.

The jingling of the doorbell signals the arrival of a customer, capturing my attention. In walks a tall, sun-kissed man with tousled dirty blonde hair and vibrant green eyes.

"Good morning! What can I get for you?" I ask, pulling out my notepad and pen.

"Hey there, beautiful. I'll take a regular latte and a chocolate donut," he replies, and I promptly jot down his order.

I stride over to the coffee machine, preparing his latte, and then return to the counter to hand him his donut. Once the latte is ready, I carefully pour it into a coffee cup, seal it with a lid, and offer it to the gentleman.

"Thanks, love," he replies, punctuating his words with a wink that prompts an eye roll from me. As he heads out, he hands me the money for his order along with a card bearing his number. I dismissively roll my eyes at the gesture and discard the card once he's out of sight.

Just in the nick of time, one of my closest friends enters through the doors, causing a smile to light up my face. She makes her way around the counter, and we exchange a warm hug.

"Hey Pete," I greet as we break away from the warm hug.

"Hey Alicia, have you been busy?" she inquires, and I shake my head in response.

"Not really. I just started a few minutes ago, and it's pretty relaxed," I reply.

Pete's roots trace back to Ethopia, but she was born here. Over the last two months, we've had the chance to get to know each other, and she's become a significant part of my life. Pete has gorgeous brown hair and chocolate brown eyes. Joyce is my second best friend, in addition to Pete. I've known Joyce a little longer than Pete, but my feelings for both are the same.

"Well, let's get back to work," Pete declares before her first customer arrives.

*************

More customers begin to arrive, and the diner quickly fills up. Pete and I have been serving customers for the past four hours. Joyce had arrived three hours earlier, around six thirty in the afternoon. When I felt someone poke my arm, I was in the process of producing a smoothie for one of the clients. When I turn to the side, I see Pete and throw her an annoyed expression. I turn off the machine and completely turn my body to face Pete.

"Why are you poking me Pete, can't you see I am working? ." I ask and she responds by grinning like an idiot and pointing at one of the tables.

I follow her finger pointer until I see one of our regular clients seated at one of the front tables. Troy Nulec who is well known as one of Miami's top bachelors as well as one of the city's most well-known playboy. Who could blame him? Who wouldn't be smitten by his fascinating blue eyes, powerful figure, and billions of dollars? Oh, there's someone who wouldn't fall for him, and that is me. haha

Joyce declares, "Behold, your Prince Charming has arrived."

If glances could kill, Joyce would currently be dead with the way I looked at her.

In irritation, I retort, "He's far from being my Prince Charming."

Since Troy, whom I affectionately dubbed Mr. Rich, started frequenting this diner, the two girls sitting beside me have been adamant about him being my Prince Charming and expressing their belief that he holds a liking for me. This perception likely stems from the fact that he consistently requests me to prepare his coffee and the standard plain bagel with cream cheese.

"Yeah okay keep denying it but know that if you could you would let that man do you all day and night." Pete added this time it was Pete's turn to receive the death stare.

I just rolled my eyes at their little comments before walking towards Mr. Rich. I take out my notepad from my apron pocket as well as a pen.

"Good afternoon Mr. R ... Nulec what may I get you today?" I ask with a fake smile I had to give to the costumers.

"The usual." He responds not really paying attention to me.

He had his hand on his chin as he looked out the window deep in thought. I simply nod before I write down what he usually orders.

"Alicia can I talk to you." He adds and I am taken aback.

First off how does he know my name, oh wait yeah the name tag. But second off why does this hunk of a man want to talk to me an ordinary waitress.

"I am sorry but I am on my shift right now and I can't just sit around talking to the customers." I respond.

"What time does your shift end?" He asks.

"At ten." I respond without thinking.

Why did I just tell him when my shift ended?!

"Alright then I will wait for you." He answers before going back to his thinking.

"Mhmm I am sure you will," I stated inside my head before I turn on my heel and walk away to make his order.

"What were you and Mr. Rich talking about back there?" Pete asks with a curious look on her face.

"Nothing." I reply as I finish making the smoothie and start on the coffee and bagel.

"You sure?" Joyce states while raising an eye brow in suspicion.

"Yes I am sure, now leg me get back to my work." I respond as I pour the coffee into a mug and place the bagel on a plate.