Strings (1 of 2)

Chapter 47 - Jake

But maybe it's for the best. She is too much drama anyways. She's a sweet girl, but the baggage on her is too much to get deeper involved. Matt's death fucked her up - she hasn't been the same since.

Although, she always had issues before that too. She never quite fit in like Matt did. Always a tad too reserved and separated from the group, in her own head battling something unspoken.

I don't think she was meant to grow up in this town or in the spotlight. She was a loner until she met her more outgoing friends and then went to university. She started to go out more and party and socialize more after Matt's accident. I guess in that way, it helped her come out of her shell, no longer able to hide behind his big shadow.

The door chimes again, breaking me from my thoughts.

Our head chef, Paulo, comes in and nods to the girls with a smile and walks back towards the kitchen. He puts his hand up as he passes me, greeting me. Not much of a talker, that is.

After I run out things to procrastinate with, I decide to join the girls for a minute before we open.

"Good morning, ladies." I smile at them. I don't miss the slight blush in Alex's cheeks as she sees me approach.

Emily straightens and stands up as she smiles at me. I have to force myself to move my eyes from her mouth.

"Morning, Jake!" They both say, almost in unison.

Emily looks to Alex with raised eyebrows and a weird look. Alex nods back eagerly, encouraging her to do something I'm not in the loop on.

"Is something wrong?" I ask, looking back and forth between them.

Emily chuckles nervously and Alex disappears, walking around me towards the kitchen. I look towards Emily with raised eyebrows, very curious now.

"I just wanted to ask you if there is any way to get my shift covered for Friday?" She asks me, the nervousness very evident in her voice. Almost like she is scared of me.

I smile to reassure her. I hate seeing her frown.

"I'm sure we can figure something out. Why? Got a hot date?" I regret my joke as soon as the words leave my mouth.

Stay out of her business, Jake...

Her eyes widen but she quickly recovers. "I have a concert actually. I would have asked you sooner but I just remembered."

She sounds excited to go. Good. I can cover the hosting for a day so she can stay like this.

"No problem. Have fun." I reply and flash her a grin before walking to the back.

Alex is putting her jacket on the coat rack when I walk in the staff-only backroom. She doesn't seem to hear or notice me so I pause in the doorway, leaning on the frame.

She taps a few things on her phone and then smiles. I wish I could see what she was reading.

I hope it isn't her boyfriend...

I wonder if she has a boyfriend... not that I could do anything about it while being her boss. That's not a good image to set to the others.

It's my one rule. Don't fuck the staff.

Sometimes I come close to asking her out. She's beautiful. I can tell she's kind and innocent, but also funny. She doesn't try too hard like some other girls do... she's understated. In a good way.

I think she's into me too. I catch her staring at me sometimes and she quickly looks away. She gets quiet around me too. She isn't like that with the others, like with Emily earlier. I want to get to know the real, open her like they get to.

If I were to date any of our employees, it would be her for sure. If she didn't work for me, I would have asked her out months ago.

Looking at her now, as she adjusts her pretty short brown hair over her shoulder, sweetly oblivious to the world around her, she makes me question whether I should just do it. I haven't met anyone recently that intrigues me like she does.

What's the harm in one date?

I wouldn't treat her differently here no matter the outcome of the night. It would just be people's perception of us together that would change.

...Unless we kept it a secret. Would she be down for that, though?

I guess we will have to find out.

"Hey Alex, what are you doing Friday night after work?" I say suddenly, making up my mind before I can talk myself out of it again.

She jumps and nearly drops her phone, but catches it at the last second. I laugh and she joins me, but I can see the anxiety in her eyes. I just can't tell if that's good or bad.

"Um... nothing. Why?" She replies slowly, looking up to me with her big expectant eyes.

"Do you want to get a drink or some food maybe?" I say with a smile, praying she says yes.

"Really?" She replies and I tilt my head and chuckle.

"Yes really." What a silly question.

Her eyes widen and she stands up a bit straighter, the corner of her mouth turning up slowly into a smile as she processes.

"Sure... um... I would like that!" She replies with very pink cheeks, making me grin.

"Great." I say and check my watch for the time. "Well, I'll leave you to it. Talk to you later."

"Bye." She replies as I walk out towards the kitchen.

This is probably going to blow back in my face if the other staff find out... but something tells it's going to be worth it with her.

I hear hushed whispers coming from the front of the restaurant as I do another check of the tables to make sure they're ready for us to open in a few minutes.

I can't make out what's being said, but the voices sound upset, arguing. It must be Emily with someone. It's unlike her to bring anybody she knows in here. Maybe it's a shithead customer that's mad we aren't open yet.

I turn the corner and spot a wild mix of big polka dots and vibrant pink hair standing in front of Emily...

Author's Note:

Cliffhanger.... but I think it's obvious who this person is ;)

Hope you liked this chapter! Decided to switch it up and do Jake's POV for a change. Always nice to see things from a supporting character's POV.

I think this chapter summed up the book so far, mentioning old storylines and some other characters. I know not too much happened this chapter, but I did this to set the stage for what's to come... things are going to get a bit wild soon.... ;)

Also, just wanted to update you guys on the timeline if it isn't easily to follow. We are now in the beginning of July in the story (started beginning of May) - the end of the book will be Chapter 65 and with my current writing schedule it will probably be posted in February! It's already written just need to catch up on chapters in between.

Next chapter will be coming soon... stay tuned! xx