1

"Martins get this to table 6 now!" the annoying sound of my boss rang through the kitchen.

"You'd think that after 2 years he'd know your name isn't Martins, it's Moore." my coworker, Ann, said.

"I don't really care. I'm just here to get paid." I said with a sigh before shrugging and taking the order to table 6. The table had 7 people. 4 of which, looked like couples by the way they were having on to each other. So 2 couples and 3 singles.

"Hi I'm Andy and I have one of your orders. The chicken burger and fries? The rest of the orders will be brought soon, the kitchen is really busy tonight."

I looked around and the girl in the corner raised her hand so I passed the meal on as far as I could.

"Well here you go. Enjoy your meal and shout if you need anything."

As I walked away, I heard one of the girls comment on how if a restaurant couldn't accommodate large crowds they shouldn't open. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes and instead thought of the gorgeous women in the corner. She looked average build with long brown hair that was braided to the side. She was absolutely stunning.

My train of thought was interrupted by one of my coworkers.

"Andy you have a babysitter tonight right? Wanna go out after shift? Grab some food or something?" he asked me. Obviously intending for us to go out on a date together.

"Nice try Luke but no. The answer is always going to be no."

Lukas Strong. We've worked together for a few months now and atleast once a week he asks me out. Why can't men ever accept no as an answer.

"One day you're going to say yes. I'm sure of it."

I give him a curt smile and go to one of my tables to see if they need anything other than their bill. After giving them the bill I go back and stand with Ann.

"You know that girl from 6 hasn't stopped looking at you."

'The gorgeous woman' I thought but didn't voice it to Ann.

I turned to look at the table and sure enough she was looking at me. I smiled at her and she smiled back before going back to eating.

"She's cute. You should ask her out or for her number or something." Ann said, nudging me slightly.

Well she is really cute. And her smile is adorable and made me shiver. But I can't. I can't see anyone for a while. As much as I want to, I have other things to think about.

"Ann as much as I would love to, you know I can't. My life is way to hectic. Between Alec and work I have no time."

"I know but you can't spend your life alone. I know you love your son and I know he takes up alot of time but you need to find someone. An adult someone to talk to and do other things less pg with." Ann gave me a serious look and I knew she was right.

"I will find her. Don't worry."

"As your best friend, I'll worry. I always worry about you and that adorable little boy of yours." I knew this too with her voicing her concern every time I saw her.

"I know. I love you."

"I love you too. I can't believe it's your last day here. You're finally getting out of this hell hole and into a company. I'm so proud of you."

I side hug her and mutter a thanks. I'm a little sad to be leaving my best friend but I got a job at the publishing company and I'm excited about it. Plus Alec is going back to school and I need more than what I'm paid here to be able to afford that.

We carried on making small talk for the rest of my shift, stopping every now and then to serve tables.

"My shifts over. It's been over for a while now but you know how he is."

I turned to my best friend and some of my co-workers, relieved I get to go home. They nod in annoyance, knowing 'he' is our asshole of a boss. He's 20 and his parents own the restaurant so he thinks he can do whatever he wants. And most of the time he gets away with it.

I changed into my regular clothes and was about to leave before I heard the annoying manager.

"Martins. Make sure table 6 is sorted before you leave. Important customer and all that bullshit."

I rolled my eyes but went to table 6, in jeans and a t-shirt. Arriving at the table, I saw it was that gorgeous woman left.

"Hi. Is there anything you need?"  I asked in my sweeties voice, trying not to sound annoyed.

"Just the bill please." she smiled at me and I smiled back before nodding at fetching the bill for her. It sat at a whopping $200. Wow these people either eat alot or just ordered expensive things. How inconsiderate.

"Here you go. I don't mean to be rude or inquisitive but your friends ate two hundred dollars worth of food only to disappear?" I eyed her carefully, gauging her reaction.

"They're not my friends. They just came for the free food. I know one person that was here tonight and she was hung up on her boyfriend who invited everyone else."

I handed her the bill and she sighed.

"If you'd excuse me, I need to get home. But you can give the bill to Ann." I pointed to Ann to let gorgeous woman know who she is. She nodded and I walked to Ann to tell let her know so I could leave.

"Hey. Table 6. Mind fetching the bill for me? I really need to leave."

"Sure. Say hi to Alec for me." she was always so accommodating towards me. I love her for that.

"I will. You need to stop by one day. He misses you."

"Soon I promise."

I checked the time and panicked. I was late to get home and the babysitter's going to charge the extra time. Which I probably can't afford.

"Shit I'm late. I need to go. Bye."

I hugged her and left. It was about a 20 to 30 minute walk. And 7 minute car ride. But I don't own a car.

If I take the alley shortcut, it's a 20 minute walk but it's dangerous enough during the day. Even worse at 10pm.

As I turned the corner, I heard a car pull up and stop by me before honking to get my attention. I turned my head down and walked faster assuming it was some creep.

"Andy right?"

I turned to see the beautiful woman from the restaurant in a very nice Lexus sedan. No wonder her dinner companions brought her bill so high. She's rich.

"Yeah Andy. Do you need something? I really need to get home." I prayed she said no because I was late as it is.

"I don't need something but could you please get in the car? It's not safe for a woman as beautiful as yourself to be walking out alone this late. I'll take you home. If you want that is. You don't have to get in the car but it's not safe. And I really want to make sure you get home safe."  she leaned over and opened the passenger door.

"That's very sweet of you but I don't even know your name and I can assure you it's out of your way."

"Well I'm Jessica. You can call me Jess. And how would you know it's out of my way?" she had a hint of a smile on her face.

"You're driving a Lexus. I don't even have a car. We're definitely from opposite ends of town." I said matter-of-factly.

"I don't mind." there was thay dazzling smile again and anymore of it and it will definitely dazzle me.

I debated for a second before deciding to take her offer. I really don't want to walk home alone this late.

"Thank you. I don't normally accept offers from strangers to take me home."

"It's not a problem and I didn't take you as that type but it's dangerous to be walking alone at night. Are you working tomorrow?"

"No. Today was my last shift actually."

"Well I'm glad I stopped by then otherwise I wouldn't have met you."

I blushed at her obvious flirting.

"Well I'm glad too. I just got a job at the publishing company. I'm a journalist and I write in my free time. When I have free time." I corrected myself. I barely ever have free time.

"That's really cool, I admire people who write. It's definitely not easy."

"Yes that's a hundred percent true. What about you? Do you work? You look like you're still in college."

She laughed at my assumption and I swear my heart skipped a beat. Her laugh is heavenly, it's almost as beautiful as her.

"I work. I'm a lawyer. But I'm very flattered that you think I'm in college." she smiled, her focus remaining on the road.

"That's very impressive. If you don't mind me asking, how old are you? You look really young."

"I don't mind. I'm 32. How old are you? If you don't mind me asking."

I smiled at her politeness and resisted the urge to appear shocked at her age. 32. 8 years older than me.

"I'm turning 24 in a few days" I smiled politely even though she couldn't see me.

"What date?"

"September eighth." I replied.

"Not that far off. Four days left."

"Yes. We're almost at the apartment." I know I stated the obvious because the navigation system told us.

We fell into a rather conformable silence for the remainder of our trip to my apartment.

"Would you like to come in for something to drink? Some water? Soda?" I offered our of politeness hoping she wouldn't accept considering it was almost ten thirty at night.

"Yeah sure I'd love to." she parked the car and turned it off.

"Great." I muttered under my breath.

We walked to my apartment and let myself in, Jess behind me.

"Hey Taylor, I know I'm late, how much extra?" I asked the teenage babysitter who looks after Alec.

"Just 5 Andy." she smiled at me and I know she's doing me a favor because I can't really afford more.

I handed her the $5 and out of the corner of my eye saw Jess eyeing me curiously. I ignored her.

"Is he asleep?" I asked the obviously exhausted teen.

"Yeah he wanted to wait for you but it was getting late so I put him to bed." I hate not being able to put my boy to bed but sometimes I get home too late. That's all changing with this new job.

"Thanks Taylor. Goodluck with school. Starts tomorrow right?"

"Thanks. Bye Andy." she left to her apartment next door.

I turned to Jess.

"Welcome to my home. That was Taylor. She's my babysitter when I work. So what would you like to drink?"

"Water's fine thank you. I take it from the babysitter that you have a kid?"

I walked into the kitchen which was next to the crappy lounge to get her some water.

"Yes. For my son." I eyed her out of the corner of my eye to see her response. I was shocked when her reaction wasn't the usual face that said 'oh fuck she has a kid and she's so young', instead nothing changed. Not her expression or body language. But I guess being a lawyer means knowing how to control her emotions.

"I see."

"Yeah. You don't have a problem do you?"

"Not at all. I admire mothers."

I handed her the water an motioned for her to sit.

"Thank you."

"I'm sorry for the crappy apartment."

"It's not crappy. You should never have to apologise to anyone for your home."

"Thank you but you don't have to be polite. I know it's not the best but I didn't make much at the restaurant and there are bills to pay and Alec. So I don't have much left for rent. It's the best I could afford. Hopefully we'll be able to get a better place once I start working in 2 weeks."

"No judgment here. When I was in college I lived in my beat up Mazda. So I get it." she gave me a small yet encouraging smile which made me feel better.

"Look at you now. Living the life and driving an expensive car."

"That's what hard work gets you."

"Very true. So tell me about yourself."

"There's nothing much to me honestly. My parents died when I was in middle school. I was kind of an only child. Now I'm a lawyer. Now about you, if you don't mind me asking, Alec's dad, is he in the picture?"

Alec's dad isn't a topic I discuss with people but I felt different with the beautiful lawyer. I felt something I haven't felt since my ex. I felt comfortable after only knowing this woman for an hour.

"No. Not since I found out I was pregnant. Why?"

"Because I would feel awfully guilty if I asked a girl with a boyfriend or husband out." she flirted.

"Well I don't have a boyfriend. Definitely not a husband. But unfortunately for you, you still can't ask me out."

"Oh my God. You're straight aren't you. My gaydar is usually on point."

I chuckled at the tone of her voice. It was sarcastic and teasing, definitely not serious.

"No I'm not straight. Just unavailable."

"I see."

"Excuse me for a sec? Just hang here, I'll be right back."

She nodded and I left to go to the bathroom, which in the crappy apartment was right next to the crappy kitchen.

I closed the door and slid down it, burying my head in my knees. I began to sob thinking about my life.

About how there's a beautiful woman who I find absolutely stunning outside and I can't even except an offer for a date because I don't want to drag her into the mess that is my life. She's so beautiful and perfect and I would love to have her in my life but I don't want her involved with my drama.

I sat for a good 10 minutes, just crying.

I began to cry harder but realized that the gorgeous woman is waiting for me. I got up and dried my face and wiped my tear stained cheeks and smiled my best fake smile before exiting the bathroom to see Jessica ending a call. I looked up and smiled at her while straightening out my top. Ironic considering I'm far from straight.