Chapter 5
CHAPTER
FIVE
Quinn
It’s a slower day at the restaurant today. By that, I mean I’m not waiting on four tables at a time. I know it will pick up as the day goes on, but I’m enjoying it while I can.
“Look what I got you,” Tatum declares as she bounces her way over to me. She’s holding a name tag in her hand and waves it at me excitedly. I take it from her and then look back at her, confused.
“It only says Q,” I say. The rest of the name tag is so scratched I can’t make out the rest of my name.
“Yeah, it was an old one for some guy named Quentin. I found it and scratched off the rest of his name. So now you have one. Maybe you can grab a Sharpie and fill in the rest,” she suggests. I laugh as she takes it from me and pins it to my shirt.
“Go get ‘em Q!” she says and points as a group of guys sits down at a table.
I make my way over to the new table, laughing at Tatum. I look down at the scratched-up name tag, and somehow, the gesture still makes me feel special. I turn the corner, and I freeze when I see who is sitting at the table. I quickly turn back and spot Tatum about to enter the kitchen.
“Tatum!” I whisper hiss. “Ezra Sterling is at my table!”
She stops and looks at me like I’m insane. “What are you talking about?”
I peek around the corner and point. “That guy is the Ezra Sterling actor from World of Enchantment.”
Tatum peers toward the table and then smiles widely. “Wow, he’s even better looking than I thought.” She looks at me and waggles her eyebrows. “Lucky you.”
I roll my eyes and quickly smooth down my shirt and hair.
“You look great,” Tatum teases. “Go get him!”
“Go get him?” I laugh.
“You’re a catch! So go catch him!” she says as she swats my butt. I gasp and look at her, my mouth open as Tatum giggles.
I cautiously approach the table, still laughing at Tatum. The three guys are chatting at the table and they stop when I reach them, looking up at me. The Ezra Sterling actor looks at me, and of course, I instantly notice the blue of his eyes. He is even more attractive than I thought.
“Good morning,” I say, “can I get you started with some drinks?”
They told me their drink orders and then informed me that Mikey is a usual here and orders the same thing every time so they are also ready to order. Mikey looks familiar to me. He must be an actor in the show too but I can’t remember exactly. I put their orders in and continue to my other table. I can’t help but keep an eye on the actors though. I want to ask his real name, as much as I love thinking of him as Ezra Sterling. He’s in more casual clothes than the show. He’s wearing black workout pants and a tight blue shirt that shows off his muscles. I noticed his muscles when he was in his Ezra Sterling costume, but that’s nothing compared to now.
When their food comes out, I’m eager to go back to their table. I hand the doughnuts to the guy I don’t recognize, the biscuits and gravy to Mikey, and an acai bowl to the Ezra Sterling actor.
“Yeah, Grayson is healthier than us,” Mikey jokes as he digs into his biscuits.
Grayson. His name must be Grayson. I look over at him and he shrugs.
“I like what I like. Thank you,” he says.
When I get to the back of the restaurant Tatum is waiting for me. “So? How’s it going?”
“His name is Grayson,” I reply.
“He introduced himself to you?” she asks and I can feel her excitement building.
“No, the other guy just said his name.”
“Hm. Do you think he recognizes you?”
I laugh at the thought. “No way. You know how many people he sees in the audience every day?”
When my other table leaves, I’m left with only Grayson’s table. As much as I’d love to talk to them more, I try to make sure I’m not bothering them too much. When enough time has passed, I decide it’s safe to check-in.
“How is everything?” I ask.
“Delicious,” Mikey says, and the other guy nods.
“It was great, thanks,” Grayson says.
“Are you ready for the check? Will it be together or separate?” I ask.
“Together,” Grayson quickly answers.
“You don’t have to do that,” Mikey says.
“This was my idea. I got it,” Grayson replies. Then he looks up at me and smiles, “Just one check please.”
My stomach swoops at his smile. It’s ridiculous how attractive it is, how handsome he is in general. I nod in reply to him before rushing away.
When I bring the check back to the table Grayson pauses and studies my face. I feel my cheeks blush under his scrutiny.
“Sorry, do I know you from somewhere?” Grayson asks “I guess here, maybe?”
“I haven’t been here long,” I answer. I can’t decide if I should tell him about the show. Is it weird that I saw his show and recognize him? Is there a chance he actually does remember me from the audience?
“I did see your show recently,” I say feeling ridiculous the second I say it. Of course he wouldn’t recall me from the crowd. My mind is already spinning with something I could say to change the subject but Grayson snaps his fingers and his face lights up.
“Aha! Yes. I remember you,” he says. Those words do something indescribable to me. He remembers me. Out of everyone he saw that day and has seen since then, he somehow remembers me specifically.
“And me!” Tatum adds loudly as she suddenly appears by my side. I practically jump in surprise.
Grayson chuckles. “Of course, and you.”
“That’s by far my favorite show,” Tatum gushes. “You are all so amazing.”
Grayson has the ability to look humble even though I’m sure he gets that compliment all the time. “Thank you,” he says. “It’s my favorite too,” he smiles.
They stand up as they get ready to leave. “It was nice to meet both of you,” Grayson says. Then he looks straight at me and adds, “Next time you come to the show, you should stay after again and say hi.”
“Oh my god! Did you hear that?!” Tatum squeals as the door closes behind Grayson and his friends. “He just invited you to the show!”
I pause. “Did he? He just said if I come to the show to say hi.”
“He didn’t say IF he said NEXT TIME. As in, there should be a next time!”
I recall the conversation and the way he worded it. I think Tatum is right but I’m not sure that’s what Grayson meant.
“We are definitely going asap,” Tatum continues, ignoring my hesitation. She walks away before I even have time to respond.