Chapter 59 The new guy
~Ava’s POV ~
When I arrived at the diner it was already buzzing with so many people when I tied my apron and stepped behind the counter.
The scent of coffee and grease welcomed me like an old friend, and the clatter of plates and cups was oddly comforting. It was a place I was already used to.
Logan and Tristan had left early that morning for an out-of-town practice match. The group chat had been blowing up with dumb pictures and bad jokes, and I missed Logan more than I wanted to admit for it being less than twelve hours.
Ridiculous.
It was just for one day, and I already missed him like crazy.
“Ava!” Debra called from the kitchen window, her curly hair tucked under a cap. “I need you to train the new guy. He starts today.”
I blinked. “There’s a new guy?”
She shoved a name tag toward me. “Nate. Tall. Blonde. Don’t let him drop the soup. He seems clumsy for his own good”.
I stifled a laugh and took the tag, pinning it to my apron just as the bell over the door jingled.
And there he was—tall, definitely blonde, broad-shouldered with an easy smile and an armful of menus. He looked around like he was half-expecting to trip over something.
“You must be Ava,” he said, his eyes were warm and a little nervous.
“That obvious?”
“Well, Debra said I’d be trained by someone scary and competent.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Scary? I'm not scary!”
He grinned. “Just quoting the boss.”
“Hmm.” I crossed my arms. “We’ll see how brave you are after the lunch rush.”
He raised an eyebrow. “I like a challenge.”
I rolled my eyes and gestured toward the dining floor. “Come on, Nate. Let’s see if you can carry three plates without dying.”
By noon, Nate had managed to spill a milkshake on himself, mishear a customer’s order when the customer said “Extra onions, not no onions!”, and dropped a fork tray so dramatically that everyone in the diner went silent.
But he laughed at himself, didn’t get flustered, and kept going like a golden retriever with a job to do.
“You’re not so bad,” I said during our ten-minute break, sipping from a soda cup and tossing him a napkin for the syrup stain on his shirt.
He leaned beside me, arms crossed, grinning. “Not bad? I think I’ve earned at least a sticker.”
“Sure. How about one that says, ‘Didn’t cause a grease fire yay me!’?”
“Perfect. I’ll wear it with pride.”
I chuckled and noticed again the little dimple on his left cheek. It was annoyingly charming. He was the kind of guy who probably got free pie just for smiling. Dangerous.
He was gorgeous but not like Logan of course!
“So…” he said, his voice dropping a notch, “any chance your scary exterior comes with a soft side?”
I raised a brow. “Are you flirting with me while covered in chocolate shake?”
“Would it work better if I wasn’t?”
“Maybe.”
He laughed, looking at me in a way that lingered a little too long. “Just making conversation. You’re fun to talk to.”
I looked away before I could smile too much. “Don’t read into it. I’m only nice to trainees. It’s required by law.”
“Oh, I see,” he teased. “So tomorrow I’ll see your real personality.”
“Exactly. I’ll probably throw the soup at you.”
He mock-saluted. “I’ll wear goggles.”
“Hahaha! So funny"
By the time my shift ended, Nate was waving goodbye to Debra like they were lifelong friends and I wondered if they actually knew each other. He jogged to catch up with me outside the door.
“Hey, Ava.”
I turned. “Survived day one?”
“Barely. I owe it to you.”
“ It's fine!. Don’t get mushy on me.”
He chuckled and shoved his hands into his pockets. “Just wanted to say thanks again. You didn’t have to go easy on me.”
“I didn’t,” I smirked.
He gave me that same warm grin. “You ever want to grab a coffee when you’re not surrounded by greasy fries and burnt toast… I’m around.”
I blinked, a little surprised. “That sounded dangerously close to asking me out. Are you asking me out?”
“Only if you want it to be.”
I didn’t answer. Just gave him a tight-lipped smile and walked off, my heart weirdly skipping.
As I walked home, I pulled out my phone.
Ava: Miss you, meathead. The diner has a new guy today. He dropped a fork tray and charmed the regulars in under ten minutes. You’d hate him.
A minute later:
Logan: Tell Fork Boy to stay in his lane.
I grinned, biting my lip.
Two minutes later, my phone buzzed again.
Logan: Wait—charmed the regulars?
Ava: Yes. Old Mrs. Gibbons tried to give him her number.
Logan: Not funny.
Ava: I thought it was hilarious.
Logan: You didn’t smile at him, right?
Ava: I smile at everyone. it's in my work description.
Logan: I’m coming back tomorrow night. Keep Fork Boy on a leash.
I laughed out loud, walking up my porch steps.
Ava: Jealous?
Logan: Not jealous. Just… territorial.
Ava: Same thing, meathead.
Logan: Whatever. Just remember who knows your coffee order, your middle name, the exact spot you’re ticklish, and the one who makes you come”
Ava: Gross!! Are we talking about that now Logan?
Logan: You didn't think it was gross when I was deep inside you last week,did you?!”
Ava: I'm done talking to you
Logan; not after you admit,the fork boy doesn't stand a chance
Ava: Fine. Fork Boy stands no chance.
His final reply came a few seconds later.
Logan: Damn right he doesn’t.
Ava: Ok, I'll see you tomorrow. I love you 💕
Logan: I love you too sunshine. Dream about me
Ava; I'm gonna dream about nate 😏
Logan: I dare you! Stay away from that boy Ava! I'm serious.
Now you just made my whole night bitter
I was still smiling when I unlocked my front door.
Tomorrow was going to be very interesting.