Chapter 4 Jealousy Served Hot
An hour before Bellatrix's shift ended, the four guys from the court walked in. She nudged Mayzie to get her attention, and Mayzie asked her to cover the table. Bellatrix wasn't thrilled about it, especially since she was right in the middle of helping Freya fix a glitch with the cash register.
"Hello," Bellatrix said, smiling as she walked over. "Welcome to Daily Sweet Café." She set the menus down. "Can I start you off with some drinks?"
"We want that girl to wait for us," Dalton said, pointing toward Mayzie.
Bellatrix glanced back at her friend. "She’s busy at the moment, but I can take your drink orders and let her know you're asking for her."
Dalton's expression was cold. "What’s good here?"
"Are you looking for something hot or cold?"
"We’ll all just have your best black coffee," Blake said, winking at her.
Bellatrix smiled back. "Alright, I'll bring those right out."
As soon as she walked away, Blake smacked Dalton's shoulder.
"Ow, what the hell?"
"I’ve been trying to get her to talk to me for months; don't ruin it," Blake hissed.
Gustav rolled his eyes. "Why do you even bother being with the poor?"
"Because when I'm bored, you just throw money at them, and they disappear."
Blake looked at Dalton. "Anyway, why do you want that other girl to serve us so badly?"
Dalton glared at him. "The bitch didn't even thank Arking for his help. The least she can do is wait for us tonight."
Arking shook his head. "He’s lying. He’s been giving me jealous looks ever since I got back from talking to her."
"I have not," Dalton snapped, crossing his arms.
"Classic Dalton, always wanting whatever Arking has," Gustav laughed.
"Shut up," Dalton barked over the noise of the café. "It’s not like that."
Arking leaned back, with a smug look on his face. "She’s just a poor girl. You can’t honestly be interested in her."
"I told you it’s not like that, so drop it," Dalton snapped.
Before Arking could respond, Mayzie arrived and placed a coffee cup in front of him. She set the rest of the drinks off her tray and looked at them. "Have you decided what you're ordering yet?"
Dalton grabbed the menu, flipping through the pages quickly. "We... well... I..."
"What’s actually good here?" Arking interrupted.
"Everything is good enough. We’re mostly known for our pies," Mayzie replied. "Are you guys looking for a full meal or just something snacky?"
Dalton let out a short laugh. "Snacky isn't even a real word."
Mayzie didn't offer a comeback; she didn't even look his way.
"We haven't had dinner yet," Gustav told her, trying to bridge the silence.
She gave a nod. "In that case, take your time. Like I said, it’s all fine. I'll be back in a minute."
As soon as she walked away, the table erupted in laughter, leaving only Dalton silent. "Did you hear him stutter?" Blake mocked. "We... well... I..."
Arking chuckled, shaking his head. "I’ve never seen you lose your cool like that, Dalton."
"Shut up. Just pick something to eat," Dalton snapped, feeling irritated.
Gustav watched her go, leaning in slightly. "She isn’t exactly friendly, is she?"
"Neither is Dalton," Blake joked. "They're a perfect match."
Gustav noticed Arking's smile vanish the moment Blake said that, but he kept his mouth shut. He could smell trouble brewing and made a mental note to pull his friend aside for a private chat later.
"Hey, guys. Decided what you want yet?" Bellatrix asked, leaning in.
Dalton looked up at her. "The other girl is already helping us. We don't need you!"
She raised an eyebrow, unfazed. "Fine. She was busy and asked me to check on—"
"Go away!"
With a sharp turn, Bellatrix marched away from the table. The guys burst out laughing at their friend’s bluntness. Dalton would never admit to liking anyone; honestly, he barely even admitted to liking his own best friends.
"Alonso!" Bellatrix thrilled, rushing toward the front door. "Mayzie, Alonso is here!"
The four guys near the entrance watched as a tall man walked into the café. Dalton's eyes shifted to Mayzie behind the counter. She was actually wearing a soft smile for once.
She walked over to him, and Alonso pulled her into a gentle hug. "What are you doing here?" she asked.
"I got laid off from my part-time gig," Alonso explained. "So, I figured I’d walk you home."
"Oh, that’s so sad," Bellatrix butted in.
"Well, I didn't get off for another two hours and..." Mayzie checked her watch, "forty-five minutes. Bella is done at forty-five, though."
"Then I’ll walk her home first and come back for you. Sound good?" Alonso smiled as Bellatrix clapped her hands in excitement.
"So you’re blatantly cheating on me and asking for my permission?" Mayzie joked, though her face remained perfectly blank. "I’m not sure if I should be thankful or insulted."
Bellatrix laughed and nudged her shoulder. "Well, you’ve got time to kill."
"Need me to pick anything up?" Alonso asked.
"I need milk and bananas," Mayzie said.
"Easy enough." He looked at Bellatrix and winked. "I’ll be back for you later."
Bellatrix fanned herself like she was about to faint. "I can hardly wait."
"You two are ridiculous," Mayzie muttered.
"I still love you," Alonso teased, kissing her forehead.
Mayzie rolled her eyes. "Now you’re just being creepy."
"Hey!" Dalton shouted from the table. "We’re finally ready to order!"
Mayzie walked over to the table, pen ready to take their order, while Bellatrix waved a final goodbye to Alonso.
"I'm not ready yet," Gustav said.
"Me neither," Arking added.
Mayzie looked at Dalton with a slight frown. "Do you want to go first?"
"No, I’ll wait for them."
She nodded and moved on to another table.
"Hey, dark-haired girl," Blake called out.
Bellatrix turned around, dropping her hand. "My name is Bella."
"Did he ask for your name?" Dalton snapped.
"Ignore him. He’s just cranky because he’s hungry," Blake said with a grin. Bellatrix nodded, and Blake continued, "Was that guy the blonde girl’s boyfriend?"
"Alonso? No, he’s just her neighbor," she explained, pulling out her notepad. "They’ve been close friends since she moved in next door."
"Really? He kissed her, so I just assumed," Blake said, leaning back in his seat.
"No, he’s just a flirt," Bellatrix joked. "Why? Do you like her?"
"Not me. But someone else here does."
Bellatrix giggled and glanced at Arking. "Oh, that's right. You saved her from that crowd today. Thank you for doing that."
Arking didn't answer; he just gave a quiet nod. He knew saying anything else would only make Dalton even angrier.
"Are you guys ready to order now?" Bellatrix asked.
"No! Just go away!" Dalton yelled.
Bellatrix looked startled for a second, but she quickly shrugged it off and walked away.