Chapter 2
My alarm wakes me at eight a.m. I hop into the shower and savor the warm water running over my body.
When I step out and look in the mirror, I notice that the bruises around my throat are beginning to fade.
My split lip is healing, and my black eye has turned brown.
I still don't look great, but at least I'm healing.
Sitting on my bed, I wrap my hands around a cup of coffee and take a sip.
I draw a deep breath to relax, only to start coughing from what I suspect are bruised ribs.
I could sit here for hours, enjoying the peace and quiet. I'm going to love it here.
At nine a.m., I leave for my new job. I arrive at nine fifteen.
The manager, Renzo, walks in and looks surprised to see me.
“Good morning, Nora. You're here early.” I smile.
“I wanted enough time to change into my uniform and learn how things work so I wouldn't get in the way.” He chuckles.
“Enthusiasm will take you far in this world.
Go into the back. There's a closet full of T-shirts. Put one on and take ten with you when you go home. Those are your uniform.” I nod and head back.
When I return after changing, Renzo is sitting at the bar.
He beckons me over. “Okay, Nora. My niece will be here shortly.
I'll introduce you; she'll be training you. I think you two will get along.” I nod.
“Oh, and Nora? Remember to smile and have fun.” He pats my shoulder.
A young woman about my age walks in. She has long black hair and tan skin.
She looks straight at me and smiles. “Hi, I'm Bianca.
What's your name?” I return her smile. “I'm Nora.” Renzo interrupts us.
“Bia, you'll train Nora for two weeks. After that, she can handle the waitressing on her own.” We both nod.
Bianca takes my hand and leads me into the kitchen, explaining where everything is.
As the day goes on, she tells me stories about her crazy Italian family.
She explains how loud they are, but says she loves it and wouldn't change a thing.
I'm a little envious. I wish I had a big family.
I wouldn't mind if they were loud and obnoxious, as long as they truly loved me.
That would be enough. We laughed and giggled together. I really liked her.
At the end of the day, Bianca rests a hand on my arm.
“Hey, Nora. You can come have dinner with my family if you want.
They're always entertaining.” I take a deep breath.
“Thank you for inviting me, Bianca. I really appreciate it, but I'll probably go home.” She gives me a sad smile.
“Look, I know there's more to you than meets the eye.
I can see the old bruises under the new ones.
I won't pry, but you should know you've got people in your corner now.
My uncle likes you. Not in a pervy way. You remind him of his daughter who passed away.
You don't look like her, but you have a similar personality.
Sweet, caring, sassy, enthusiastic, full of life.
Don't ever let anyone take that spark from you.” I laugh.
“So wise for a 20-year-old.” She nudges my shoulder.
“Same age as you. People always say you look like one of your parents. Who do you take after?” I smile, thinking of Mom.
“My mother. I look exactly like her: blonde hair, blue eyes, fair skin, freckles, full lips, five foot five, and a petite waist. I didn't inherit her bigger breasts, but that's okay. I got hips instead. Better than nothing, I guess.” Bianca chuckles.
“You're beautiful, Nora, whatever your breast size.
Well, I'd better get to my crazy family dinner.
Are you sure you don't want to come?” I sat there considering it.
“Why the hell not?” Bianca squeals with excitement.
One year later...
Bianca had become my best friend, more like a sister, really.
I've told her a little about my past. I remember Gigi's warning: the less people know, the better.
I've always kept that in mind. All Bianca knows is that my ex was abusive and I ran away from him.
I told her I couldn't say any more. I also grew close to Renzo.
He was like the dad I'd never had, even taking me fishing sometimes.
He never asked about the day I came into his restaurant with a bruised face and a split lip.
I wish I could have thanked him for not prying. It was as though he simply understood.
I might not have a happy past or a biological family, but I've made a family of my own, and I love them dearly.
Bianca's family welcomed me with open arms. She wasn't exaggerating when she called them loud and Italian, but I loved every second of it.
During that time, I also became close to her mom.
I help her and Bianca bake, and I go to family night every week. I never knew I could feel this happy.
Even when my heart feels ready to burst with joy, deep down I know that one day it will all end.
I still have nightmares about my past and the day I'll have to fight for my life when my ex, Damon, or my father, Henry, finds me.
Thinking about it fills me with anxiety.
For now, though, I'll enjoy what I have.
I've started taking business classes again, too.
Thanks to Tyler changing the name on my original transcripts, I got into the College of Charleston.
I'm finishing my marketing degree with a minor in business administration.
I just completed my junior year, and my senior year starts in the fall. Thank God for summer break!
I'm on the evening shift at Renzo's restaurant, Emma's Corner. It's nine p.m., just two hours until closing. Ugh, eleven can't come soon enough. Don't get me wrong, I love working here. I've just dealt with shitty customers all day, and my patience is wearing thin.
The door opens, and three tall, incredibly attractive men come in.
One looks very drunk, and the other two are helping him through the entrance.
The drunk one is about six feet tall and lean, with black hair and olive skin.
The man on his right is taller, African American, with black hair, broad shoulders, and a very fit body.
He's really attractive. He spots me behind the bar and smiles.
Attractive and friendly. The man just behind him is gorgeous: muscular, broad-shouldered, his T-shirt stretched over washboard abs.
He has sandy brown hair, ice-blue eyes, and sun-kissed skin.
I don't think I've ever seen a man so beautiful.
Oh God, he's looking straight at me. I look away and begin putting glasses away behind the bar.
Bianca comes over. “Hey, Nora, would you get their drink and food orders?
I need to talk to my uncle. I'll be right back.” I nod.
As she walks away, I grab my pen and paper.
I walk toward their table, my heart pounding so hard it feels ready to jump out of my chest. “Hi. What can I get you gentlemen to drink?” The drunk man looks at my face, then slowly lets his gaze travel over my body.
“I'll have a tall glass of you.” The African American man covers his mouth with his fist and chuckles.
The blue-eyed man watches me with a smirk.
My brows draw together. You've got to be fucking kidding me. After the day I've had, I'm not dealing with this bullshit.
I take a deep breath. “I'm not on the menu. What would you like to drink?” The blue-eyed man answers. “We'll all have water.” Before the drunk one can object, I turn on my heel and walk away. Goddamn it, Bianca. Hurry your ass up. I can't handle these three today.
I return with their waters. “What can I get you to eat?” The two sober men give me their orders. Then the drunk idiot breaks into a huge smirk, and I can hardly believe what comes out of his mouth.
“What if what I want isn't on the menu?” I clench my teeth. I'm ready to beat his fucking ass. “If it isn't on the menu, it isn't fucking available,” I snap.
His eyes widen. “Okay, okay. No need to get aggressive.” My jaw tightens. God, I'm so pissed. I snatch the menus from the blue-eyed man's hands, turn, and walk away.
As the three men get up to leave, the blue-eyed one comes over to me. “Hey, I'm sorry about Lee. He had a little too much to drink tonight.” I clench my teeth. “Oh? What gave you that idea?” I don't bother hiding my sarcasm.
His expression remains blank. “I'm Graham, by the way. My other friend is Owen.” My head had begun throbbing from all the idiots and rudeness I'd dealt with today, and these three had been the cherry on top of a shitty day. I look him square in the eye. “I don't give a shit.”
He stood there looking at me for a moment. Then the corner of his mouth lifted into a mischievous grin. “Do you need help getting that stick out of your ass?” He winks, grabs his keys, and walks out of the restaurant. What a fucking prick.