Page 17 of A Troll in the Hay
And get a single nod in return. “I understand.”
But he doesn’t. Not really. How could he, whenI’mnot sure what I mean? What my future looks like when my vacation time runs out.
“Oh, hey, are you on a break, or can I give you my order?” a woman about my age asks after tapping my shoulder.
I give her a, “One sec,” then place my hand on Ogram’s chest. Warmth and comfort and electricity race through me all at once, and when his heart beats beneathmy palm, I swear mine falls in sync. “It means so much that you came to a place packed with people to spend time with me. I don’t expect you to stay since I have to buzz around here like a busy bee, and it’ll probably be late when I’m done, so?—”
“I will wait for you.”
I know he means tonight, but it feels like more. I want it to mean more.
HOPE
“Thank yousomuch,” Cate says as I hand off the server’s apron while she cashes me out. “I swear I’m not usually a disorganized mess. One of my longtime staff called in because her daughter came down with strep, then one of my recent hires popped her head in the door at the beginning of her shift to tell me she’d taken a shift-manager job at the hotel, effective immediately. So, I was down two servers, and yet, once you hopped on, everything was right on track, as if I were fully staffed. You’re amazing.”
I get a “Thank you” out past the lump in my throat. In all my years waiting tables, busting my ass, taking last-minute shifts to fill in for coworkers, my boss never appreciated me like Cate just did.
“Too bad for me that you’re just in Harmony Glen onvacation or I’d offer you a permanent job.” Smiling, she removes an envelope from the drawer, closes the register, and hands me the envelope and a wad of cash. “Pay is in the envelope. Cash is your tips, my dear.”
My eyes go wide as I fan the edges of the cash she gave me. Even without counting, I’m sure it’s a lot more than I make on a good shift back home. “Thank you. How much is the tip out for the bartenders?”
“Zero for you. You did me a huge favor tonight, so I’m covering your tip out.Buuut… if you want something to do another evening, or you decide you’re so happy here, you’re never leaving, pop by and we’ll talk.”
“I’ll do that,” I say, and I think I mean it.
“Awesome.” Cate’s happy-businesswoman smile shifts to one more personal as she tilts her head toward the table in the farthest corner of the pub, and its single occupant for the past several hours. “He’s never been in here before. Not once in all the years.”
“That’s Ogram. He’s waiting for me.”
“Oh, I know who he is. Andhowhe his. Which is why I’m letting you know that his being here tonight,for you, is a big deal.”
I can’t resist looking over at him, and when I do, his gaze is already on me, sending all the best kinds of warmth dancing through me.
“Your personal business is none of mine,” Cate says, “but I like you, and being a bit more seasoned than you, I can’t help feeling a bit mother hen. So, this is just me looking out for you, but based on your verbal resume andknowing where you’re from, I’m assuming you haven’t dated many monsters.”
“None,” I confirm, tearing my attention from the big green one I can’t stop thinking about. “Why?”
Gaze narrowed, her lips wiggle from side to side, then she nods, as if deciding an internal conversation with herself. “Well, the thing about trolls is that they’re intense. And dedicated. Intensely dedicated, if you get my drift.”
I shake my head, and she takes a deep breath and nods again, as if she’s gearing up for whatever’s next.
“Okay. I’m not saying they never do casual stuff,” she says, nodding at the bar top where she’s subtly making the universal hand movement for sex. “But that wouldn’t bring your very solitary hunk of green lovin’ over there out to a crowded bar to sit among dozens of people for hours. He’d just wait for you in private. His presence here, so far out of his comfort zone, is a good indicator that he sees you as his mate. As in, for life.”
“I’m sure Ogram doesn’t think that about me. He knows I’m only here short term. He wouldn’t choose me as his mate.”
“It’s not a choice for trolls. It’s an instinctive thing. Like love at first sight, but with the intensity dial cranked to maximum. And the way he’s been looking at you all night… you’re the one cranking his dial.”
Hearing that, I look over my shoulder. He’s still waiting. Still watching. And I still want nothing more than to finish this conversation and go to him.
“He’s been part of this town since before integration,and despite keeping to himself, he’s well-liked and respected by everyone. So, if you want the same things he does, you couldn’t ask for someone better to go through life with.” She’s wiping the bar when I face her again. Wiping for the sake of waiting for me to look at her—I’d bet my tips on it. “Just thought you should have that information if you didn’t already know.”
So, it’s Ogram she’s looking out for, not me. Or maybe both of us. “Thank you.”
“Anytime, my dear,” she says, winking. “Hope I see you again soon.”
Nodding, I turn and cross the room. It’s hours away from closing time, but the bulk of the crowd cleared out after Mari finished singing. There are empty tables now and only a handful of people dancing to jukebox music, giving me a straight line to Ogram.
“Hi,” I say, dropping into the chair to his right. “I still can’t believe you’re here.”