Raya shrieked and ran out the door. I followed behind. I watched with an amused grin on my face as she flipped off Leon and Tommy, yelling something I couldn't make out over the music, until security guided her toward the doors and out onto the sidewalk, making sure she was gone.
“Who was she?” Malcolm said, his voice taking me by surprise. I'd almost forgotten he was out there, waiting for me.
“Just a disgruntled employee who's had enough,” I mumbled.
“Well, good for her,” he said. “Looks like she's very happy with her decision.”
“Yeah, it does.”
I stared at the doors through which Raya had been escorted out. I seriously yearned to walk out those doors myself – not before giving Leon a big middle finger, of course – and never look back. But, I couldn't. I turned back to Malcolm and gave him a small smile.
“Thanks for standing guard,” I said. “I better get back to work though. Now that we're down a dishwasher, they're going to need all the help they can get.”
Malcolm touched my arm, stopping me. “I have a question to ask you,” he said
tentatively. “Though, I'm sure it's going to come out wrong and you're probably going to say no.”
My stomach was in knots, and my mouth was dry. I stared, wide-eyed up at him. I wondered what his question was. “But I can't ask here,” he said, averting his eyes. “Maybe we can meet up after you get off?”
“I can't,” I said softly, thinking about Raya's celebratory breakfast. “It's against company policy to date customers – I mean, it's not strictly against policy, it's just generally discouraged. And I know how dangerous it can be. I have no intention of getting murdered, not that I think you'd murder me – but, you know what I mean.”
Fuck, Casey. Could you have screwed that up anymore? Could you have sounded any more like a rambling idiot?
“I mean – well, technically, I have plans already,” I stammered jamming my foot even further down my throat. “But maybe –”
“It's okay,” Malcolm said, bringing my hand to his lips and giving it a quick kiss. “It was stupid of me anyway. A fleeting idea. I shouldn't even think like that. Forget I said anything at all.”
He hurried inside the men's restroom, and I cursed myself. Dammit.
I should never be allowed to talk to anyone ever again.
~ooo000ooo~
“You actually accused him of wanting to murder you?” Raya screeched.
Her laughter filled the IHOP and caused everyone to turn and stare. I felt the heat creep into my cheeks and wanted to crawl under the table and die. I tried to silence her, but there was no use. Apparently, after she'd left the club, she found another one to drink at. She'd had a few shots before meeting me at IHOP and was thoroughly sloshed.
“You're so smooth, Casey. No wonder I love you,” she said, picking at the fruit on her plate.
There really weren't a whole lot of vegan options at IHOP for Raya. As much as I'd have killed for some pancakes, I hadn't made enough during my shift tonight to justify splurging on myself. Not with the electric bill due.
“It's not like he wants to date me or anything,” I said, taking a sip from my coffee mug. The warmth from the cup felt good against my hands. “He probably just wanted to proposition me. Too many guys think we're the prostitutes.”
Raya rolled her eyes. “Seriously, tell me about it,” she said. “Not that I have to deal with that anymore.”
“Lucky you,” I mumbled.
I hated being jealous of people. It served no purpose at all. Still, seeing Raya be able to just up and quit on a whim like that was enviable. I couldn't imagine leaving a well-paying job without having an even better one lined up, no matter the circumstances. I just wasn't wired that way. Of course, not having anybody to rely on but myself – and having others relying on me – helped keep my head in the game, right where it needed to be.
Not that it didn't get old sometimes. It really did.
Raya checked the time on her iPhone, and her eyes grew wide. “Shit. I have to go. I'm so sorry for cutting out on you like this,” she said. “My grandparents are coming down from Seattle, and they'll be here in a couple hours.”
“Yikes. Have fun,” I said.
She hugged me and said, “We'll have to keep in touch,” she said. “Go out now and then, you know? Go and bang the senses out of Mr. Handsome while you're at it.”
“Of course,” I said, laughing and rolling my eyes.