Chapter 74
Chapter Seventy-Four
Robin
Leaving Katie fawning over Pierre’s flatbreads, I feign a sensitive stomach so I can grab the chance to walk in the gardens on our lunchbreak. Katie seems happy enough to be left alone with her crush, so I exit the kitchen and go straight across the hall to the glass door.
It’s been a good day so far, but I could really use a few minutes out in the fresh air. The kitchen can be a little stuffy, especially when the people I’m working with are sweet on each other and not afraid to flirt openly.
I take in a breath as I push open the glass door to the garden path.
The fresh air that I take in is quickly pushed back out as I gasp at the sight of Falcon, standing close to the side of the cafeteria, one hand leaning on a spade.
I blink as I step outside, a smile spreading across my lips as I realize I’m not imagining this.
It’s really him. He’s really here.
I couldn’t have asked for a nicer surprise.
My feet move quickly over the paving stones toward him, my hungry gaze taking in more details as I get closer.
His shirt and jeans are wrinkled and stained with dirt and sweat.
He’s straightening as I approach, but he was slightly slouched when I first saw him.
I’m starting to guess why when I get to his side.
The final detail is what seals it.
I look up at his face, and his eyes are red.
He hasn’t slept.
Not one wink.
His smile comes out slowly. “Hey, Robin.”
“That’s all you’ve got to say?” I ask, making him laugh.
“I’m too busy admiring to talk,” he murmurs, making me blush.
Regardless of how he makes me feel with his words, and his lingering looks, I’m not letting him get away with ignoring the impossible feat he somehow managed to pull off.
“How did you do it? How did you get Lana to let you stick around?”
“Long story,” he says. “And I could use a break, so how ‘bout I tell you over lunch?”
“Sure,” I agree, not caring that I’m probably going to miss out on time in the gardens.
I follow him as he walks toward the cafeteria, leaving his spade leaning against the wall at the side of the building.
The guard eyes him suspiciously as we walk by.
Whatever he did to convince Lana, clearly it wasn’t enough to erase all her doubts.
Falcon holds the door open for me, and I step inside.
We’re alone, aside from the server behind the counter, again.
He looks at his hands and clears his throat.
“I should go wash up. I’ll be right back.”
He glances around and heads to the bathroom once he sees the door to the right.
I move toward the counter slowly, not recognizing the woman who’s serving the food.
She’s middle-aged, maybe in her fifties. Gray hair in a short, sleek style. She’s petite and slim, and she moves around with swift efficiency as she lays out the different snacks and meals.
“Hey,” I greet as I stop in front of the counter.
She glances up and gives me an easy smile. “Hey. You’re the new girl, right?”
“Yeah. I’m Robin.”
“Nice to meet you! I’m Pris. I don’t live on site, but when I got in today, Lana told me to look out for you coming out here for lunch since you seem to prefer it to the main kitchen. You’re clearly a woman of good taste.”
“Uh, yeah it’s nicer out here, and the food is great.”
“Well, if you think it’s been great so far, you’re going to love it today. I’ve had twenty years to perfect my tomato soup and trust me it’s beyond perfect.”
“I love tomato soup!”
“Great. I’ll get you a bowl and let’s not forget the crusty bread.”
She hums as she grabs the ladle for the soup pot.
I watch as she scoops it up and smoothly pours it into the bowl.
It looks pretty different to the canned version that was my weekly treat food back when I was living under Ivan Hamilton’s roof, but it smells divine.
“You think your Alpha friend will want a bowl?” she asks.
“Oh, um, probably,” I murmur.
It feels strange that I don’t know what he likes.
“Early days, huh?” she asks, filling a second bowl. “If he’s like most Alphas, he’ll eat anything and everything, and he’ll probably still be hungry. Go sit down. I’ll bring it over.”
“Oh, okay. Thanks.”
I head over to the same table we sat at yesterday, and I’m just sitting down when he comes out of the bathroom. He looks a lot cleaner. It’s obvious he washed his T-shirt, as well as his hands and arms. The damp shirt clings to his sculpted body and makes it hard not to stare.
He walks over and sits down opposite me.
His eyes are still red.
“You’ve been up all night,” I murmur, a little worried.
“Lana didn’t exactly let me take a room,” he admits.
“But I helped find out who was trying to break into the academy, so when Owen tried to order me to leave, I refused. I offered to dig the trench for a second fence they’re going to put in.
I’ll be honest, I don’t intend to leave when I’m done, either. ”
“You must be so tired!” I protest. “You can’t just …”
“I don’t care,” he cuts me off, reaching across the table to take my hand in his. “It’s worth it to be near you. Even if we’re not going to spend every second together, I’d rather be here.”
I take in a deep breath and shake my head.
“They can’t let you work so hard without sleep!”
“I’m fine,” he assures me, smiling. “I might look tired, but I’m good. You don’t have to worry about me.”
He makes it sound like nothing, but it’s not nothing.
And that’s when Pris arrives at the table with our bowls of soup.
“First course is served!” she announces.
Falcon raises an eyebrow at her. “How many courses are there, exactly?”
“As many as you like. The next course can be a club sandwich, mini tacos, or my academy famous all-day breakfast. Your choice.”
“The breakfast sounds great, with extra everything. Thanks.”
Pris nods and looks at me.
“Oh, um, I might have more soup,” I admit.
I haven’t tasted it yet, but it feels like I haven’t had tomato soup in the longest time, and I’m actually salivating just having it in front of me.
“Okay,” Pris says. “Just wave when you’re ready for the second course.”
She walks away with the tray. I look back at Falcon.
“Is everyone around here so friendly?” he asks.
“Pretty much,” I admit. “I mean, aside from the security guards.”
“I’ve noticed,” Falcon says, smiling wryly.
It stings that Lana doesn’t trust him, but I don’t know what I can do about that.
I wish I could do something to help.
“This looks good,” he murmurs, changing the subject.
He picks up a piece of bread and rips it in half.
I watch him dunk a piece into the soup, soaking it red.
He puts the piece in his mouth and makes a satisfied sound.
I do what he did, and the creamy white swirls into the red, making a more familiar orange color in the bowl. I soak the bread and then take a bite.
It’s even better than the memory of the soup I enjoyed so much in the past.
The richer, tangier taste is something I could get used to, for sure.
I eat it quickly, finishing a few seconds before Falcon does.
“Wow,” he murmurs. “You must have been hungry.”
“I just like tomato soup,” I confess. “It’s been a while since I had it.”
He waves to Pris. “Well, then, let’s get you some more.”