Samantha’s POV

“You did what?!” My loud shriek pierced through the silence in the room and it wasn’t until every head snapped towards my way that I realized I’d just screamed.

Heat rushed to my cheeks as I quickly apologized with a forced grin plastered on my lips. Thank God Mr. Edward wasn’t around today—if he’d been here, I don’t even know what I would’ve done. I’d lose my job for sure.

Seeing that the customers and the other workers had overlooked my little meltdown, I immediately grabbed Chloe by the hand before yanking her towards the kitchen with me.

“You better explain yourself right now.” I hissed under my breath, shutting the door behind me before shooting her a sharp glare.

“You—you haven’t been with anyone since we met and whenever you meet someone that you seem to like, you just ghost them for some reason.” The words tumbled out of her mouth as she fiddled with her thumbs. “So I decided to be a good friend and help you out.” She smiled, lifting her shoulders in a small shrug.

“Ugh Chloe…” I groaned, dragging a hand down my face. “I didn’t ask for your help okay? I’m on my own because I want to stay that way—”

“Oh come on Sam,” Chloe cut in, rolling her eyes like I’d just said the dumbest thing in the world. “I see the way you look at couples whenever we’re out. That little sad smile you force when I brag about the guy I was with the night before—don’t think I don’t notice. You hate being alone.”

I parted my lips to say something to defend myself but I couldn’t come up with anything. Chloe however, decided to use the opportunity to corner me.

“See, you can’t even deny it. You have to go on this date. No excuses.” Chloe insisted, placing her hands on my shoulders, her tone leaving no room for argument.

“Don’t worry, I checked out all the boxes. He’s tall, cute with a jawline-for-days and lashes any girl would kill for. Oh, and he’s also got that golden retriever energy that girls eat up, so please go on a date with him. I’m begging you.” She whined, grabbing my arms and giving me a dramatic shake, like the harder she rattled me, the faster I’d say yes.

Just then the door swung open and Hailey’s head popped in, her ponytail bouncing as her gaze darted between us. “Uh… why does it look like you’re trying to exorcise Sam?” She asked, her brows furrowed in suspicion.

However, she didn’t wait for an answer before she continued, “Anyways the orders are piling up so can you guys hurry it up and get your ass over here?”

And just like before she didn’t wait for a reply before she disappeared, the door swinging shut behind her.

Chloe gave her head a little shake, like she was brushing Hailey’s words right out of her ears. “Anyway, back to what actually matters—you. And this date.”

I groaned. “Chloe—”

“No, don’t ‘Chloe’ me,” she cut in, pointing at me like I was on trial. “You’re going. End of story.”

I crossed my arms, trying to look firm even though she was bulldozing me like always. “And what if I say no?”

“Then I’ll just keep asking until you crack.” She smirked, smug as ever.

Before I could snap back, someone called our names from the front, sharp and impatient. Both of us froze.

Chloe sighed, throwing her hands up. “Ugh, fine. Saved by the bell.”

“More like saved by work,” I muttered, already moving toward the door.

But as we slipped out, Chloe leaned in just close enough for me to hear. “Don’t think this conversation’s over.”

And just like that, we were back in the chaos, the argument shoved aside.

For now.

Work picked up fast after that, the usual blur of clattering plates, shouted orders, and the hum of conversation weaving through the café. I slipped back into routine as best as I could, balancing trays and weaving through the crowd like muscle memory.

At one point, I stacked a pile of used plates onto a tray, the porcelain heavier than I expected, and started toward the kitchen. Just as I rounded one of the tighter corners between tables, a customer pushed back his chair to stand.

And we collided before I could stop myself.

The tray wobbled in my hands, then gave out completely, plates crashing against the floor in a messy, ear-splitting clatter. A couple of forks skidded across the tiles, the sound sharp enough to make the nearest table fall silent.

Heat shot straight up my neck as I stumbled to steady myself, blurting out a curse and a rushed apology—only for the customer to swear under his breath as the crash echoed.

Every pair of eyes in the room seemed to snap my way at once, a chorus of gasps rippling through the crowd. That, more than the mess at my feet, sent the burn of embarrassment crawling all the way to my ears.

I didn’t even meet his gaze, my hands already darting for the bigger shards before I caught myself—bare hands on glass? Great way to end the night with stitches. “Oh my God, my boss is gonna kill me.”

“No, no, no. Be careful, don’t touch that.” The words came quick, firm, and the next thing I noticed was a pair of hands moving over the mess, careful but hurried. “Shit—I should’ve looked before I got up. I’m so sorry.”

That made me pause. Customers didn’t usually apologize for stuff like this—at least, not to us. Slowly, I lifted my gaze, and the sight stopped me for a beat. Dark hair that fell a little too neatly, eyes an arresting green that blinked at me like he was actually worried, not annoyed.

I blinked back, thrown off balance all over again. “Are you okay? Did you get a scratch or injury?” He asked, his gaze sweeping over me.

My body was hurting, yes, and I was pretty sure I got a few cuts from the tiny shards that had grazed my skin, but he didn’t need to know that.

“No, I’m fine. Are you okay?” I asked, my gaze drifting to the food stains on his shirt. The loud gasps that had ripped through the room earlier had faded into low murmurs, and they were much easier to ignore now.

“Yeah I’m fine. There’s no need to worry about me… or that.” He added when he followed my gaze to the blotches on his shirt. “It was my fault and I’ll pay for the broken dishes.” He said, causing my lips to part in surprise.

Normally when stuff like this happened they just pulled it out of your paycheck—or just tossed you out on the spot—and to be honest I really had no problem paying for the damage, but if this guy was going to offer to do it, then who am I to say no?

“Oh, that’s very—”

“Oh my God Sam, are you okay?” Chloe’s worried tone cut through my words and I turned to see her rushing towards me. “I was in the kitchen when I heard the loud noise and then Ben told me what happened and I—” she suddenly paused when she realized that I wasn’t the only one kneeling on the floor.

“Oh we’re so, so sorry for the mishap. We promise to—”

“It’s okay really.” He held up a palm with a warm smile and just like me, Chloe looked completely dumbfounded. I mean who would blame her? Most of the customers we had loved putting us through hell. I was pretty sure the ones watching were probably contemplating on writing bad reviews on our website or even calling our boss and telling him their selves. It was hard before we even saw ones like this. “Accidents happen.”

Chloe’s gaze darted to me for only half a second before she apologized again with a small smile and began picking up the shards piece by piece.

The young man ended up settling the bill without a fuss. He even left extra for the “trouble,” which honestly had Chloe buzzing the whole shift. She kept whispering with Hailey behind the counter about how we needed more customers like him, how his tip alone could probably cover a week of groceries, and how unfair it was that polite men with green eyes weren’t a common occurrence.

I tuned most of it out, but I couldn’t deny that the man’s rare kindness stuck with me too.

Work carried on after that, slower but thankfully calmer. By closing time, my back ached from bending, my arms were sore from carrying trays, and my head throbbed faintly from all the noise. Still, it was just another shift done, another night survived.

I slipped off my apron and stuffed it into my bag, already thinking of my bed and maybe a long shower when it hit me. A glance at the calendar near the register made my stomach dip.

It was the last Friday of the month.

Which meant one thing.

Family dinner.