Chapter 3
Three days later
“Morning Tony” Alba calls as she walks through the diner and signs in and gets her apron.
“Morning little bug. How did Senna go off to daycare today?” Tony asks as he walks towards her with a cup of coffee.
“Hated every last second of it. She hates that place and from what I can tell they don’t particularly like her either.” Alba says after taking a much-needed sip.
“She will be in school in no time so then you can worry about a whole new set of problems,” Tony says with a laugh.
The morning progresses with nothing out of than ordinary at lunch the rush hits and Tony and Alba are run off their feet as they try to get all the orders service quickly.
Just as the rush ends Alba looks longingly at the chairs and is about to take a seat when the bell over the door rings again. Letting out a sigh Alba turns to welcome the new customers.
“Welcome to Tony’s diner grab an empty booth and I will be over in just a second” Alba says as she quickly puts the dirty dishes on the counter to the back and rushes over to the new customers.
“Here are the menus, can I get you any drinks to start” Alba says finally looking up and seeing who is now sitting in the diner.
“Tristan….” Alba utters as she looks at the man that has been plaguing her mind for the last few days.
“Hi Alba, I will have a coffee black.” Tristan says with a smile.
“Hi Alba I am Lachy, Tristan’s little brother, and this here is my twin and our little sister Dana” Lachy says with a smile.
“Wh..What can I get you to drink?” Alba mutters as she looks back to Tristan and sees that he is still smiling at her.
“Coke for me and for sis she will take a lemonade” Lachy says as he turns back to the menu.
Alba nods her head and moves away from the table to prepare the drinks. Alba can’t help but sneaking peaks at Tristan. As she finishes with the third drink, she takes them back to the table and places the orders correctly.
“Can I take your orders?” Alba asks
“Sure darling, I will take the steak burger with loaded fries” Tristan says with a wink when Alba makes eye contact.
“I will have the Cheeseburger medium rare with loaded fries and a serve of jalapeno chips” Lachy says handing his menu to Alba.
“I will have the double dirty burger, loaded fries and a large chocolate ice cream sundae with extra whipped cream and strawberries” Dana says with a large smile while handing the menu to Alba.
“Sure will be back with your orders shortly” Alba says with a small smile. As she moves towards the kitchen.
For the next several minutes Alba helps Tony in the kitchen preparing meals and taking sneak peaks at Tristan every chance that she got.
“Order up sweet girl” Tony says as he finishes plating the last order.
Alba gathers the plates and moves through the kitchen door and heads towards the table to deliver the food.
“Here you go, steak burger and loaded fries for you, cheeseburger medium rare with loaded fries and jalapeno chips and lastly double dirty burger, loaded fries and once you are done I will bring your large chocolate ice cream sundae or I can bring it now?” Alba says as she places all the meals down.
“Now is good” Dana says as she takes a large bite of her burger.
Alba moves back to the kitchen and quickly whips the sundae up and then takes the order to the table.
“Here you go” Alba says placing the large sundae in front of her.
“Thanks” Dana mutters as she finishes her burger and moves onto her fries.
“When do you finish work?” Tristan asks as he pops a fry into his mouth.
“Nine tonight” Alba responds before turning to walk away
“Great I will see you for dinner” Tristan says with a wink.
Alba nods her head and walks away back into the kitchen. Where she runs into Tony.
“I am off to get the little nugget and I will be back after I get some change for the till” Tony calls as he walks out the back.
Fiddling with the salt and pepper shakers Alba watches and Tristan, Lachy and Dana tease and laugh at each other during lunch. As they go to make a move to stand Alba walks back to the front counter and to the cash register.
“Was your meal, ok?” Alba asks as she brings up the total on the screen.
“Delicious”
“Other worldly. Will be seeing you again Alba” Lachy calls as him and Dana walk out the door.
“I guess you are paying the bill?” Alba says with a chuckle.
“Yeah, but I always get the bill, so I don’t mind. Plus, I get the added bonus of being here alone with you for a few minutes so I am even happier with that” Tristan says as he leans closer.
“Umm, ok” Alba mutters as she rings up his total and finalises his payment.
“There you go all done” Alba says as she hands the receipt to him.
Tristan reaches out and deliberately touches Alba’s hand.
“So, soft” Tristan says softly as he gently strokes Alba’s hand.
“Um, thanks” Alba mutters as looks up and stares into Tristan’s eyes.
“See you tonight baby” Tristan says as he pulls Alba’s hand to his mouth where he places a gentle kiss on her hand. With a wink Tristan drops her hand and turns and walks from the diner.